Discover the California Town Known as the ‘Strawberry Capital of the World’

California is a large West Coast state with 840 miles of coastline on the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its beautiful beaches, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and bustling economy. Additionally, with 39,185,605 people, it is the most populous U.S. state. California is also known for agriculture.

The state produces a third of the vegetables and three-quarters of the fruits and nuts in the U.S. California is especially known for its strawberries.

According to the USDA, California produces approximately 90% of the strawberries in the United States. Strawberries grow exceptionally well along California’s Central Coast, a region that spans from Ventura County to Santa Cruz County.

The Central Coast has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Since this region rarely sees freezing temperatures, the growing season is long. Several cities in California grow strawberries, but one of them stands out as the Strawberry Capital of the World.

The Strawberry Capital of the World

While many California cities are known for growing strawberries, including Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Oxnard, only one of them is the strawberry capital.

The Strawberry Capital of the World is Oxnard of Ventura County, CA. What makes Oxnard the strawberry capital? It is the largest producer of strawberries in California! Its coastal location and mild climate make it perfect for growing these small red fruits. Let’s explore the city of Oxnard including its location, climate, and the best time to visit.

Strawberry Capital of the World Location

Oxnard is located in southern Ventura County on the Central Coast of California. Ventura County borders Santa Barbara County to the west, Kern County to the North, and Los Angeles County to the southeast.

The city of Oxnard is right on the Pacific Ocean coast. It is a 62-mile drive west of downtown Los Angeles and a 38-mile drive southeast of Santa Barbara. Oxnard is in a geographical region called the Oxnard Plain, which is a flat, coastal plain formed by sediment from the Santa Clara River. The Santa Clara River is the largest river in Ventura County. It flows 83 miles from its source in the San Gabriel Mountains to its mouth on the Pacific Ocean, between Ventura and Oxnard. Due to river sediment accumulating over many years, the Oxnard Plain has exceptionally fertile soil.

Strawberry Capital of the World Weather

Oxnard Climate and Average Temperatures

Oxnard has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Offshore breezes keep the temperatures mild year-round, so extreme heat or cold is rare. There are approximately 300 sunny days a year in Oxnard, so crops get plenty of sunlight!

The warmest months of the year in Oxnard are July through October. In July, the average high is 72.9 °F. For August, September, and October, it is 73.5 °F. These warm months each get less than half an inch of rain. While extremely hot weather is rare, it can happen. September’s record-high temperature, which is the overall record, is 105 °F. The October record-high temperature is just behind September, at 104 °F.

While the warmest months of the year are July through October, the other months are still fairly warm and mild. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average high of 65.9 °F and an average low of 46.1 °F. February is the rainiest month of the year, with 3.26 inches of rain.

Oxnard Strawberry Growing Season

Since the Central Coast of California has mild winters and rarely sees freezing temperatures, strawberries are planted in the fall. In colder places, strawberries have to be planted in spring so that they will not be killed or injured by frost.

Strawberries in Oxnard are planted in September. The strawberry plants have typically been growing for about six months at a nursery before they are transplanted into strawberry fields. Harvesting begins in November or December and continues through June or July. The earlier harvests are usually sold fresh, while the later harvests are often frozen to preserve them.

Best Time to Visit Oxnard

Due to its mild weather, Oxnard is a wonderful place to visit year-round. However, one event makes it an especially exciting place to visit in late spring. The California Strawberry Festival takes place in Ventura County every year on the third weekend of May. It features delicious strawberries, strawberry desserts, live music, art booths, games, and rides.

Another great place to visit in Oxnard is the Channel Islands Harbor Farmer’s Market. The market takes place on Sundays at 2 pm year-round. You’ll find the juicy local strawberries that Oxnard is famous for, along with a wide array of other produce.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock.com