Cowritten by Anthony Stafford
(Watch a video tour, here.)
Rated #1 by Thrillist (and rightfully so!), California is home to an often overlooked city where natural AC blows nearly year-round, an expansive shoreline and the sound of crashing waves are within earshot, and laidback seaside town vibes are endless. That city, left out of many destination conversations, is Oxnard. Sure, there are vineyards and farmlands not too far away, and many people from the area don’t have a ton of praise for the place. However Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach – part of Curio Collection by Hilton – as unfamiliar as it may sound to some, is looking to turn a new page for Oxnard’s future, reputation, and reception in the world.
Courtesy of Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach
The Golden State is no stranger to stellar resorts and hotels with plentiful views consisting of deserts, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean, but it is rare to come across an all-suite resort right on the beach. And when it comes to activities– whether in the urban sprawl of endless energy or nestled in the valley of a rural town– travelers rest assure. Zachari Dunes checks both the boxes for a unique seaside, extended vacation feel, and access to everything outdoors (and indoors!) that California is known for.
A sister property to The Pierside in Santa Monica, Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach is about an hour north of Los Angeles and just south of Santa Barbara. The resort underwent a renovation and rebranding, turning a new leaf for itself and the local community. Incredibly, Zachari Dunes captures the very essence of an adults-only resort, yet successfully caters to children with its plentiful amenities and dining offerings. During our weekend visit, we met with Zachari Dunes’ Director of Marketing, Ali Fedrau, who provided a guided tour. She gave us deep insight into the area’s and resort’s history, newest amenities and offerings, its geological significance, and why Oxnard deserves to be included in travel destination conversations moving forward.
Amenities, Activities, Accolades, and Accommodations
After its October 2022 debut, this coastal resort offers a true taste of the California lifestyle, blending spacious accommodations, gourmet dining, and immersive adventures from the beach to the mountains. The resort features 250 expansive suites – most with ocean views – a grand beachfront lobby, and modern public spaces. And space – or rather a lack of it – is one thing you will never complain about no matter where you are on the property!
Photo courtesy of Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach
Surprisingly, Zachari Dunes is Southern California’s only all-suite oceanfront resort. It offers guests a luxurious blend of comfort and coastal charm, with more than 600 square feet of living space, and view options ranging from oceanfront and beach views to garden and pool views. Accommodations vary from one king or two queen suites, featuring a separate bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, a living area with a sofa bed, a dining space, wet bar, and a second bathroom. Most suites also offer outdoor balconies or patios, ideal for taking in the stunning surroundings or sunbathing with a little privacy. For larger groups, the presidential suites can host up to six guests, boasting two bedrooms, spacious living areas, and ample outdoor space, all thoughtfully designed to mirror the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. During our visit, we learned that even during the busy season, the resort is never uncomfortably cramped – and that’s all thanks to the amount of space Zachari Dunes allows visitors to throughout the resort.
Beyond its stunning suites, Zachari Dunes offers relaxation and adventure in various forms. Tropical pathways that wind through the resort’s central courtyard plaza snake their way to the beach where there is virtually endless space to play, run, or just soak up sun. Active guests can enjoy the fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, or take advantage of the spa, Float Mandalay Beach, where rejuvenating treatments like sea stone massages and hydrating coconut milk rituals take place. For adventure seekers, Henry’s Sundries and Gear Rental provides everything from bikes and surfboards to hoverboards and GoPros, ensuring guests can fully experience the resort’s nine-acre coastal paradise however they choose. In addition to all of this, the resort is the closest in the state with access to the channel islands, making for incredibly unique escapades that you don’t have to travel much further for. On top of expeditions to the islands, sometimes it’s nice to watch them in the distance. Every inch of the property sits photogenically on display, making weddings, birthdays, business meetings, and the like that much more memorable.
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The iconic bell tower stands tall behind the heated swimming pool.
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A brighter, warmer lobby welcomes guests to the property.
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Massive fire pits comfortably seat guests on cool evenings.
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Spacious suites await for rejuvenation.
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The primary suite bathroom is comfortable, bright, and modern.
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A second bathroom, perfect for groups and families.
Guests can enjoy the heated pool, massive hot tub, cabanas, and fire pits, as well as locally inspired dining options, including the Ox & Ocean signature restaurant, Sugar Beats, the outdoor airstream for quick bites, and DIVE offers a sports bar and gaming lounge mashup. Plus, if you’re the type that needs a bit of scheduling for motivation, the resort has a weekly calendar of activities, including yoga, beach volleyball, scavenger hunts, sand sculptures, movies, and so much more. Additional amenities include a gear rental shop for almost every imaginable outdoor activity, the luxury Float Mandalay Beach spa, and versatile event spaces for meetings and gatherings. Notably, Zachari Dunes was recognized by USA Today’s “Readers’ Choice Awards 2024” as the “#1 Best New Hotel in the U.S.,” and even more recently in the “Top 10 Resorts in Southern California” by Condé Nast.
The Joy in Dining (and Playing) at the Dunes
In celebration of these accomplishments, the resort recently launched a new dining club membership, “Dining at the Dunes.” This membership offers exclusive deals on its sustainable and locally-sourced seasonal cuisine, as well as discounts and offers on other amenities and experiences. For a $229 annual fee, the membership benefits include:
- 15% off regularly priced food and beverage at Ox & Ocean, Sugar Beats and DIVE, excluding specialty dinners
- 15% off nightly best available suite rates
- Four (4) single day pool access passes per membership
- 15% off private pool cabana rental rates
- 15% off spa services an on-site Float Luxury Spa Mandalay Beach
The entrance to signature restaurant Ox and Ocean.
Ox and Ocean offers an elevated dining experience that seamlessly brings together land and sea. Its spaces transition from indoors to outdoors, and we were even treated to live music during the summer nights. Under the leadership of Director of Food & Beverage and level three Sommelier Ricardo Cubias, the menu highlights the wide ranging and diverse bounty of California.
Ox and Ocean’s menu features local produce and seafood sourced directly from Oxnard’s plains and coast. The cuisine celebrates American, Hispanic, and Asian influences, adding playful twists to classic dishes, and standouts include beer-battered fish tacos with chipotle aioli, a Mission-style burrito, and more inventive offerings like delicata squash with kale pesto and turmeric yogurt. In tribute to Oxnard’s famous strawberry season, the dessert menu includes an incredibly delicious signature strawberry hand pie, made with locally sourced berries, McConnell’s vanilla bean ice cream, and dulce de leche. The restaurant’s expansive indoor-outdoor bar complements the dining experience with a thoughtfully curated selection of craft cocktails, local beers, and regional wines.
For a more casual, yet quintessentially Californian experience, Sugar Beats, the resort’s outdoor Airstream trailer, serves locally roasted coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh pastries in the morning to fuel the day’s adventures. Afternoons are dedicated to the venue morphing into a seafood shack, offering beachside vibes with local beers, canned wines, cocktails, adult popsicles, fresh-caught seafood, and even classic kid favorites. Guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while sampling California-inspired handheld dishes.
The DIVE lounge provides an ideal space for those seeking either entertainment or relaxation. The lounge features a fully stocked game room with a pool table, shuffleboard, and vintage arcade games, along with comfortable seating and multiple televisions broadcasting live sports. Guests can also enjoy craft cocktails, making DIVE a lively gathering spot for friendly competition and unwinding in style. Plentiful seating means there are likely many fun and eventful occasions in store for families to connect in meaningful and engaging ways. A great place for socializing and decorated beautifully, we wanted to spend even more time at DIVE just for the atmosphere alone.
A New Chapter in History
Stepping foot onto this spectacular property immediately transports guests to a time and place from long ago, with glimpses of the past. From the property’s architecture with its grand bell tower, to the story-telling photos on display in the lobby, Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach has a story to share with anyone willing to listen or look.
The history of the region is deeply woven into the lifestyle, design, and aesthetics of Zachari Dunes, including the origin of its name. The resort pays homage to Henry Oxnard, who was a prominent sugar mogul from the early 1900s. Oxnard, who had ambitious plans to cultivate and process sugar beets along California’s Central Coast, intended to name the settlement after the Greek word for sugar, “Zachari.” In recognition of his vision, the resort adopts this name, honoring the area’s rich agricultural heritage and its connection to the sugar industry.
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Evening sunsets are even enjoyed from the comfort of your suite.
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The Constellation event space available for banquets, meetings, and more.
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Evening walks are a perfect way to wind down and take in the scenery.
Just as time has given way to the very dunes along Mandalay Beach and the property’s transformation over the years, a long legacy has now connected to a new and modern vision. The resort will continue its marathon of page turning to traverse an endless journey of change. While a place can undergo a massive renovation, the completion date of that work is merely a checkpoint along the path toward an even brighter future and continued improvements. Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach speaks up for a city that has remained overlooked for far too long, and its team has taken all the right steps to modernize, recalibrate, and refocus on what so many have missed out on.
Oxnard is one of California’s hidden gems, and with Zachari Dunes’ recent accolades, it’s only a matter of time until the city receives the attention it’s due. Travelers from near and far are discovering Zachari Dunes’ natural beauty, whimsical charm, and endless potential as a key destination worth exploring. Its incredible land and sea options at Ox and Ocean, Sugar Beats, and DIVE provide a familiarity that we all look for, yet a uniqueness that can’t be found just anywhere. The resort’s surplus of space garners feelings of luxury, exclusivity, and privacy in California’s only all-suite oceanfront property. And a world of activities and exploration that only California is famous for await, tucked away at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach.
Learn more and book your stay here. Follow Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach on Instagram here. For a roundup of all events taking place through December, read on.
Bonus: Scheduled Events for the End of The Year
Along with the weekly calendar activities, here are the special events guests can look forward to participating in from October through December:
October 7th – October 13th: Wine & Dine Week
A week-long celebration of wine pairings and gourmet dishes, this event takes place at Ox and Ocean. Highlights will include wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma county, with specially crafted wine pairing menus each evening.
Every Thursday in October: Paella Night (5 pm – 9 pm)
Join Ox and Ocean every Thursday evening in October for a special Paella Night. Enjoy a variety of delicious paella dishes prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. This weekly event will offer guests a taste of authentic Spanish cuisine in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Let me know if there are any additional details or adjustments needed!
October 31st: Halloween Party (7 pm – 11 pm)
Bring yourself and your kids in costume to receive a 15% discount on your food bill (not including alcohol). Guests can expect specially themed cocktails and appetizers at Ox and Ocean with live music and entertainment.
Every Saturday in October: Pumpkin Carving Contest @ Sugar Beats (10 am – 12 pm)
Festive, interactive, and perfect for families and friends, join the Zachari Dunes team at Sugar Beats every Saturday morning in October for a fun pumpkin carving contest. Guests can show off their creative skills and compete for a chance to win exciting prizes. Everyone is invited to enjoy breakfast and lunch while participating in the contest.
November 10th: Fall Harvest Dinner (6 pm – 9 pm)
Guests can visit Ox and Ocean for a special dinner menu featuring seasonal ingredients and dishes, including a three-course meal with optional wine pairings. Reservations are required for the Fall Harvest Dinner.
November 28th: Thanksgiving Feast (1 pm – 5 pm)
Guests can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, taking place in The Plaza. The menu includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. With reservations required, this Thanksgiving feast can’t be missed!
November 28th – December 31: Hot Chocolate Nights
Enjoy a cozy Hot Chocolate Night in the Zachari Dunes lobby starting on Thanksgiving and continuing until December 31st. Savor a variety of gourmet hot chocolate flavors and toppings in a festive atmosphere. Available from 6 pm – 8 pm.
December 7th: Free Holiday Wine Tasting (4 pm – 6 pm)
The event will allow guests to sample a selection of festive wines perfect for the holiday season. The selection features wines from California and beyond, taking place at Ox and Ocean.
December 14th: Gingerbread House Workshop (2 pm – 4 pm)
This fun, family-friendly event will let guests decorate their own gingerbread houses, with all supplies and festive treats included! Taking place at the Zachari Dunes Plaza, this event requires reservations and is sure to be a festive cherry on top that everyone can enjoy creating (and eating)!
December 24th: Christmas Eve Dinner (6 pm – 9 pm)
Guests are invited to Celebrate Christmas Eve with a special gourmet dinner at Ox and Ocean. This dinner features a multi-course menu with holiday favorites. Reservations are required.
December 31st New Year’s Eve Gala (8 pm – 1 am)
Ring in the New Year with a grand gala event! Guests are invited to the Zachari Dunes Plaza for a lavish dinner, live music, and a midnight champagne toast to kick off 2025. Reservations are required for this exciting evening event that can’t be missed.
