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Those who love beach vacations usually want a great little town to go along with it, a place with atmosphere and cultural flair to match the gorgeous scenery.
We found everything we needed in Ventura, one of those places we always wondered about while driving through this area on our way to other scenic destinations on California’s Central Coast. For us, this was a country of passage: picturesque, yes, but always in a place that we passed through on the way to another place.
Ventura is in a location that is truly advantageous for travelers. For Southern Californians, it’s an easy drive that takes you beyond the megalopolis where back-to-back cities finally give way to a coastline that’s less overwhelmed by development. The beaches along the central coast are great, but if you’re coming from the south and don’t have a lot of time, Ventura is a fun beach destination on its own.
For Northern Californians, Ventura is close enough to the “Big City” to be a reasonable base of operations for visiting Los Angeles’ many tourist attractions, most within an hour’s drive. Yet you’re staying in California’s quintessential beach community that’s far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Don’t you want to go to the city for a day? Just relax on some of the most picturesque beaches in the state.
The only memory of the city was our hotel: the Crowne Plaza, a former Holiday Inn that is being converted into a more upscale brand. At 15 stories, it is the only tall building in the area and could not be redeveloped under today’s strict coastal regulations. The hotel offers incredible views of the ocean, the Channel Islands and the verdant hillsides in the northeast corner of Ventura. The Crowne Plaza is situated so that every room above the second floor offers guests spectacular views of the coastline.
Within minutes of arriving we were walking along the boardwalk that stretches away from the hotel in both directions along the shoreline. A more than adequate beach, complete with children’s play equipment, is just steps from the hotel, as is the Ventura Pier with its seafood restaurants, strolling visitors, and die-hard fishermen just hoping to catch a bite for dinner. Bicycles and other gadgets are available for rent and this Sunday the vendors offered a variety of items in the plaza right between the beach and our hotel.
Just up California Street from our hotel was a colorful small-town shopping district with shops of all kinds, restaurants, and a high concentration of antique shops that are fun to browse. Several surf shops are nearby, and like other California beach towns, the feel is more retro than modern. Historic City Hall sits majestically on a small hill at the edge of the downtown district, reminding us that Ventura is truly a city and not just a stretch of uncoordinated beach development.
California Street intersects with Main Street and if you walk a few blocks, you will come across Mission San Buenaventura. This mission was established on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782, and became the ninth California mission founded by Father Junipero Serra. Fires and earthquakes have taken their toll on the mission, but over the years, local residents have restored the building to much of its former glory. In any case, the mission “feels” original and is worth a stop when you’re in the middle.
Right across the street from the mission is the Museum of History and Art, which offers a wide range of exhibits in a relatively small space. Historical artifacts, farm implements, 18th century figurines – the museum offers a wide variety.
One thing you notice after spending a few hours in Ventura is that everywhere you go, you’ll hear music from the ’60s. It’s probably not related to the fact that many surfers and beach guys from that era continue to hang out. in this popular seaside town. But there’s no question about it: Whether it’s the hot dog vendor on the boardwalk, the antique store on Main Street, or even the sushi joint downtown, they’re all playing ’60s music.
The aforementioned sushi restaurant is Sushi Marina, a local hotspot where we stopped for dinner. But a word of wisdom here: the restaurant is apparently quite popular with the locals, but has relatively few tables and no real space to wait for your table to be called. The food was good, but we will definitely time our future visits to avoid the rush.
There are about two miles of beach in the Ventura area that are considered part of the local State Park, and visitors are captivated by the wide, relatively unpopulated beach where you can view the Channel Islands and also get a spectacular view of the coastline that it extends west and north to Santa Barbara. At sunset we made a stop at Surfer’s Knoll where you can walk through the sand dunes to find an ideal spot to watch the sun set in the western sky. People here treat the sunset like they do in Key West: it’s an event, and people make it a point to go to the beach every night to celebrate the scenic beauty of the area.
If the beach and a vibrant local shopping district aren’t enough to grab your attention, here are some other Ventura area visitor attractions:
The Ventura Harbor Village and Marina – If you love boats, or just being close to them, the harbor area has hundreds of them along with a 33-acre shopping and entertainment complex, Harbor Village. There are many boat rentals, fishing charters, and a variety of restaurants. Be sure to see the “almost” antique carousel with its 36 animals that was built in 1955. This arcade also offers homemade fudge, fresh popcorn, and enough games to keep your kids busy for hours.
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center – Located in the Ventura harbor area, the center offers exhibits on the island’s flora and fauna, as well as a graphic relief map that gives visitors an idea of the size of the islands. The islands are visible from the Ventura area and are favorites for day trips, diving, snorkeling, swimming, and bird watching. It’s also possible for visitors to camp, hike, and picnic on the islands, with tours departing from the harbor area.
AJ Comstock Museum: A look at early firefighters and their methods. It is a free museum and open all the time.
The Albinger Archaeological Museum – Located near the mission, this free museum features artifacts dating back 3,500 years and from several different cultures. You can also see the original mission base in the excavation area. TAKE A LOOK
WHERE: Ventura is located about 65 miles north and west of Los Angeles on one of the major north-south highways in the state, Highway 101. If you don’t want to drive, it’s easily accessible by Amtrak and the Ventura stop it’s only two minutes away. tenths of a mile from the Crowne Plaza.
WHAT: Ventura is California’s quintessential beach community with miles of wide beaches and an eclectic business district that blends surf subculture with resort hub. It is a small city, but close to the big city.
WHEN: Any time. Ventura enjoys a sunny climate, although its location can make it breezy at times, especially on the beach.
WHY: Ventura truly has its own character and charm. Geographically, Ventura is located in one of the most picturesque coastal areas of California.
HOW: For more information on Ventura, contact the Ventura Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-483-6214 or visit http://www.ventura-usa.com. For information on the Crowne Plaza Hotel, call 1-800-980-6429 or visit http://www.cpventura.com.