VENTURA

 

 

 

 

It's a vibrant, walkable city with an eclectic vibe. The area’s claim to fame comes from the world-class surfing at the local beaches. The city maintains its surfer town vibe as it grows and expands. Bike paths and nature abound throughout Ventura, where you can cycle from Ojai to Santa Barbara. It’s a well-kept secret, the perfect spot between Malibu and Santa Barbara. Local architecture ranges from historical Victorian homes to modern houses, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Mid-Century modern homes.

Ventura offers oceans and beaches, picturesque scenery, and endless outdoor fun. The town is full of historic buildings and landmarks, like the Majestic Theater. Music thrives here, with multiple venues and shows playing every night. The city attracts an adventurous and fun crowd full of nature lovers and surfers. Its location provides easy access to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara’s wine country. Locals don’t have to go far, though, for incredible food, shopping, and craft microbrews.

 

The surfer town vibes give this eclectic and vibrant town a laid-back feel. Locals enjoy a slower pace, enjoying nature’s bounty of gifts. It’s an active city full of people fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, surfing, and sailing. Connoisseurs of craft microbreweries love it here for the incredible selection of robust flavors of local beers. The city also attracts nature and music lovers.

 

The high-end gastropub Rumfish y Vino buzzes with the atmosphere. An elegant interior creates a romantic setting. Rumfish fuses delicious flavors with fresh ingredients for the ultimate dining experience. Outdoor seating is an oasis of greenery with a giant lemon tree emerging through and above the latticework of the pergola. Lure Fish House is a traditional upscale nautical restaurant with crisp white features and its infamous oyster bar. They prepare locally sourced fresh seafood and highlight an already mouth-watering menu. Cafe Zack is a kitschy upscale cafe with twinkle lights and wood paneling. They serve comfort foods with quality ingredients and rich flavors.

It’s not all seafood in Ventura, though. Dargans Irish Pub & Restaurant serves classic Irish dishes with authentic flavors in a great atmosphere. The red brick and wood walls and ornate carvings feel like a castle cottage in the country. A white picket fence and wine barrels greet guests as they enter Dargan’s world. In contrast to the old-world charm is MadeWest Brewing Company’s open industrial feel. They maintain the classic brewery design, with metal rafters, high ceilings, and views of the mills from the bar and restaurant. MadeWest serves robust flavors and an incredible selection of craft microbrews. They also have a new tasting room located right on the Ventura Pier with views of the Cove at C-Street and Surfer’s Point. You can sit inside or out while you enjoy craft brews and food available downstairs from Beach House Fish, a fresh seafood restaurant where you order at the counter.

When it comes to good drinks, VenTiki Tiki Lounge and Lanai do more than mixology. This place is about the atmosphere, with tiki hut vibes inside and out. The chef orchestrates gorgeous platings of delectable treats full of flowers and bright colors. Everything here is curated with incredible attention to detail, from the roof to the glassware. Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach is all about the beautiful setting. It sits on the ocean and features cerulean waters. The specialty cocktails are as colorful as the sunset and the perfect way to end a day.

 

This surfer town is full of excitement and adventure, ensuring never a shortage of entertainment. Ventura hosts regular events like the Ventura County Fair. It’s easily one of the region's biggest annual events, spanning about 10 days between July and August. Guests enjoy live music, carnival rides and games, petting zoos, and competitions.

While the fair has delicious food, Boots and Brews Country Music Festival brings a cornucopia of craft microbrews and beers to town for a one-day festival. Among Ventura’s lively music scene, Boots and Brews is a true gem, bringing the community together for a day of good music, food, and drinks.

When it comes to good drinks, Tequila & Taco Music Festival is a local favorite. Two days of gourmet street tacos, tequila, and live music take over the streets of Ventura. Their specialty margarita selections beat out everywhere else. However, it’s not just food and drinks. An exciting roster of bands and musicians turns Surfer’s Point into the biggest party of the year.

Music is a way of life in Ventura, and The Majestic Ventura Theater encompasses this. The historic theater from the 1920s is a stunning building of Spanish Revival architecture with ornate finishings inside and out. It’s a cultural and architectural landmark of Ventura, featuring community events, film screenings, and major music performances. Ventura Music Hall offers a modern design with dynamic elements. Its domed ceiling has beams crisscrossing into diamonds to provide the perfect acoustics for the venue. The entire space glows in a colorful display of lights to bring every show to life.

Getting outdoors, Cemetery Memorial Park is in the heart of Ventura. It’s a memorial for Ventura’s early settlers and veterans, honoring the lives of native ancestors still to this day. The park is perched on a hillside between Poli St and Main St where visitors enjoy 180 degree ocean and island views, including the Oxnard and Carpinteria and Montecito coastline. Once, just a cemetery, the land has been converted into an unofficial dog park where locals let their dogs off leash to play from sunrise to dusk.