There’s no keeping the Oxnard secret under wraps anymore. Sandwiched between more famous Malibu and Santa Barbara—and just an hour north of L.A.—this gem on California’s Gold Coast is experiencing rising home prices and well-deserved attention. Walkable and with direct access to seven beaches (four of them state beaches), California sun and the coastal mountains, this is a coveted bedroom community for those who can work remotely most of the time, as well as an easy weekend trip from the big city. And the trips will be even more tempting with numerous properties opening over the next three years—from the Springhill Suites in the heart of Oxnard to the Hyatt House on the Channel Islands Harbor waterfront. Both will be choice places to take a deep breath and savor the city’s #11-ranked air quality. Oxnard’s diversified economy, including agriculture, oil, shipping and financial services—plus a roster of eager start-ups—contributes to the city’s affluence and its #4 ranking for Business Ecosystem. It doesn’t hurt that Port Hueneme, right next door, is the only major navigable port in California between Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay.