By J.C. Thomas
When the intense summer heat in the valley starts to feel endless and overwhelming, there’s always one easy solution – head to the coast, and stay there a while! Treating yourself to a stay at a resort right on the beach is surprisingly elusive in California. The state’s celebrated coastline is 1,264 miles long, yet there are only a handful of true oceanfront resorts in the entire state. Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach stands out even among such rare offerings – it’s the only all-suite beachfront resort in California. Located on the edge of Oxnard in Ventura County, the resort boasts uninterrupted views of the ocean and Channel Islands along with luxurious accommodations just steps from the sand. Best of all, it’s less than an hour’s drive from the San Fernando Valley.
“Zachari” means “sugar” in Greek, and the resort’s name is a nod to the founding of the city in the early 1900s by the beet sugar mogul, Henry T. Oxnard. It also references the fine, sugar-like sands that form deep dunes along the resort’s perimeter and shift into the broad expanse of Mandalay Beach. This beach is rarely crowded, perfect for strolling and bird watching, and faces directly west for picture-perfect sunsets.
Zachari Dunes is exceptional for reasons beyond its beachfront setting. As a destination resort, it has a huge array of amenities and activities on-site. With the pool complex, game room, spa, fitness center, fire pits, gear rentals, on-site dining and more, you can have an amazing time without ever leaving the property and its adjacent beach. Further, the resort balances the vibe of a private enclave with a celebration of its Oxnard locale. From menus to art displays, the resort exudes pride in its host city’s heritage just as much as its beautiful beaches.
With a party of five spanning three generations, I recently checked out all there is to see and do (and eat and drink) at Zachary Dunes on Mandalay Bay. While every aspect of the resort’s hospitality was practically faultless, what stood out was the palpable sense of pride in its home of Oxnard. The city doesn’t ping the typical tourist’s radar, but a stay at Zachary Dunes will leave you wondering how this spot is so often overlooked. Then again, you might prefer to keep the resort as your own secret getaway.
A Destination Resort
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach reopened after a multi-million-dollar renovation in October, 2022. Formerly an Embassy Suites, the property is now part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. The resort’s marketing director Andrew Sutrisno describes the collection as an upscale lifestyle brand with the flexibility to tell a local story. That story is of the Oxnard coast, a hidden gem midway between Malibu and Santa Barbara that too few out-of-town visitors are aware of. Amplifying the appeal of the coast is the remarkable agricultural bounty of the Oxnard Plain with its thriving fields of strawberries and other seasonal produce.
The major renovation that launched Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay transformed the entire property while leaving its best assets intact. Those assets include the resort’s Spanish-Revival-style architecture, with elegant arches, red-tile roofs, and meandering, palm-lined pathways, along with the already enviable pool complex. The suites, all 250 of them across eight buildings, all got total makeovers, and the lobby with its original grand staircase is now drenched in natural light thanks to new windows.
The pet-friendly resort is a popular getaway for families and couples from all over the LA area, as well as coastal road-trippers. Cooling onshore breezes are especially enticing in summer when temperatures are scorching inland but perfectly pleasant along the coast. Plus, Zachari Dunes is minutes from both Channel Islands and Ventura harbors, where boats depart for Channel Islands National Park. With no accommodations on the islands (other than camping), the resort is an ideal place to stay for national park visitors.
First Impressions
Zachari Dunes’ very-Californian take on Spanish Revival architecture is visually striking from the moment you enter the front gates. The grand lobby building is crowned with a domed tower, fronted by stone latticework and flanked by sky-high palm trees. Inside, stop for a welcome drink of house-made strawberry lemonade, presented with a note that Oxnard is the largest strawberry producer in California.
Sip your delicious drink while taking in the eclectic art collection displayed around the spacious lobby with its plentiful seating areas, coffee table books and fireplace. From some corners you can already catch a glimpse of the ocean and sand.
There’s an excellent chance you will spot very few people on the beach, although the paved pathway between the ocean and dunes is popular with bikers and joggers. The resort spans a wide stretch of Mandalay Beach, and the closest spots are far enough from the public parking at each end to keep the middle uncrowded.
Zachari Dunes’ All-Suite Accommodations
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay offers a comprehensive range of all-suite accommodation options ranging from 600 to 1,600 square feet. Every suite sleeps up to four or six, and connecting suites are available. Most feature a furnished balcony or patio, perfect for leisurely morning coffees and sunset toasts. Choose among options with ocean, garden or pool views, or an oceanfront suite for unrivaled views along with the sounds of the ocean to lull you to sleep at night.
Suites with one king bed or two queens all feature a full-size sleeper sofa in a spacious seating area, plus a dining area with a refrigerator, microwave and wet bar with a Keurig coffee maker. For larger groups, such as my own family of five with three adults and two children, an upgrade to a two-bedroom presidential suite is perfect. These six most spacious suites are in their own two-story oceanfront building, with ground floor suites opening onto the resort’s Playa Vista Lawn.
On-Site Activities at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay
It’s definitely feasible to have a delightful time at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay while doing absolutely nothing. The most minimal version of activity could involve lounging by the pool, and maybe strolling to the ocean and back in between meals and evening s’mores around a fire pit. For guests with a slightly livelier time in mind, the resort presents an enticing array of on-site activities and amenities to check out.
– Pools and Cabana Cove: The main swimming pool is huge and heated year-round, while the nearby hot tub, also enormous, sits in its own elevated grotto. For an ultra-luxe pool day, book one of the cabanas (for up to six guests) at the poolside Cabana Cove.
– DIVE Lounge: Part game room and part arcade with a full bar, the lounge is open to the whole family before 5 pm and adults only after that.
– Henry’s Gear Rental: Also a sundries shop, Henry’s Gear Rental is just off the lobby at Zachari Dunes. As part of the resort fee, all guests get to pick a two-hour gear rental each day of their stay. Also included is a rental from the resort partner Wheel Fun Rentals.
-Float Spa at Zachari Dunes: The second location of a popular luxury spa based in Santa Barbara.Fitness center and wellness classes
– Fitness Center: Open 24 hours with state-of-the-art equipment including Peloton bikes and LifeFitness treadmills. Guests can join complimentary wellness classes such as sunrise yoga and beach body fitness as well.
Dining at Zachari Dunes
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay has two dining options on site: the signature restaurant Ox and Ocean, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and Sugar Beats, an Airstream repurposed as a permanent food truck. While the upscale offerings at Ox and Ocean and the casual breakfast and lunch fare at Sugar Beats serve distinctive appetites, the eateries share a source of inspiration in the bounty of the Oxnard Plain and its coastal waters.
Chef Damien Giliberti’s cuisine emphasizes hyper-local produce while exploring vibrant Californian, Latin and Asian flavors. The name Ox and Ocean is a play on the theme of surf ‘n’ turf as well as the name of Oxnard. The single-sheet menu of shareable plates also reflects this motif, dividing the offerings into Farm, Ocean and Ranch sections. Ox and Ocean’s drinks program is overseen by a Level 3 sommelier, so the wine list and pairing suggestions are top-notch.
The gleaming Airstream trailer repurposed as Sugar Beats food truck sits in the middle of Zachari Dunes resort. The lawn space is surrounded by lush foliage and, with picnic-style seating completing the casual camp-themed setup. Sugar Beats offers gourmet coffees from a local roaster and casual, super-tempting breakfast and lunch fare as well.
Mandalay Beach and Local Attractions
Mandalay Beach and all the on-site activities at Zachari Dunes may well fill every minute of your itinerary, but there are a lot of local attractions to explore as well. Here are a few suggestions:
– Visit other nearby beaches such as Hollywood Beach and Silver Strand, both close enough to walk or bike to from the resort.
– Stroll around Channel Islands Harbor, where you can rent a boat or kayak, book a romantic gondola ride, stop in at the Maritime Museum or shop at the Sunday farmer’s market.
– Head to Ventura Harbor Village with its lively mix of restaurants, shops and special events.
– Ventura and Channel Islands harbors are also departure points for Island Packers Cruises, the official Channel Islands National Park concessionaire. Take a day trip to one of the islands, or a seasonal whale-watching or wildlife cruise.
– Book a snorkeling and kayaking excursion to Anacapa Island with Channel Islands Expeditions – Zachari Dunes guests can book through the resort for special discounted rates.
– Admire beautifully maintained historic homes in the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
– Shop and dine on Main Street in downtown Ventura, also the location of the historic Mission San Buenaventura.
– Visit Ventura Botanical Gardens for a hike with incredible views. (You might also like to read: 12 Beautiful Botanical Gardens in California.) Details:
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton / zacharidunes.com, 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, CA.
35 (805) 984-2500
