Oxnard, California

Situated along a beautiful stretch of Pacific coastline, Oxnard is the largest city in Ventura County. The City is located about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara. According to a 2002 census, Oxnard has a population of 182,027. As you enter Oxnard, the first thing you're likely to spot is the surrounding farmlands. With its patchwork of crops and orchards nestled along a narrow coastal plain, Oxnard boasts some of the richest agricultural land in California. A mix of climate, rich topsoil, adequate water and a long harvest season provide favorable conditions for such high-value crops as strawberries. Farmers can often grow double, sometimes triple, crops on the same piece of land during a year.