Virtual Ventura
by mimici
I fell in love with Ventura within days of moving here from Los Angeles 12 years ago. The weather, the landscape, the creativiy of the people and the architecture here keep my senses constantly engaged. My husband and I have created a comprehensive, useful, and attractive gateway to Ventura's best in hospitality, dining, culture, shopping and adventure. If you create a free account (it's very quick) you can store information from the site in an itinerary. We have an events calendar that updates daily too. Use it to plan your trip and use it once you're here too.
http://www.experienceventura.com
Holiday Street Fairs July and December
by keida84
If you happen to be In the City of Ventura on the 4th of July,or on the first Sunday in December, there is a Street Fair that closes down Main Street and creates a festive pedestrian walk around. The Ventura Street Fair stretches from the far end of Main Street near Ventura Avenue up past California Street to just about Fir Street. There are booths offering local artisan crafts, food booths of many types, live entertainment on several of the streets.
The Fair opens at 10 am to 6 pm. go early to find a good parking space. We like to get there abot 9:45am and we usually leave about noontime. It is a lot of fun and a good way to do some Christmas shopping, have a bite to eat and then get out before the huge crowds come. All in all, a very funtime to be had by all.
A very cute side note here: We were watching the live modeling of gowns at California and Main when we over heard a little boy, no more than 3 years old, calling out to the girls, "Where did you get your Halloween costumes?"
Vintage Petroleum has a world...
by jst4play
Vintage Petroleum has a world famous anticline (a rock formation) that is visible from the roads. There have been several look-out places. This is private property and a oil lease. 3055 West Pacific Coast Highway. The 101 freeway North from Ventura just past the Hwy 33 exit to OJAI LOOK for Highway 1 State Beach exit which is the next one and exit. You will go through a tunnel and come out(exit) heading NORTH right along the beach. The beach will be on your left and make the first RIGHT that you can ( there will be a underpass!).This is a paved road that is goes under the 101 North & South bound lanes. Go straight under the freeways and you will reach a security gate. Stop and follow the directions on the dialpad.( push 0.) That calls a operator. Tell them your name or any name and that you have come to see Paul Roden. He is the boss and a super guy.They will open the gate. Go check in with him or..........Just be careful and have common sense. Because if you are careless 'MURPHY' lives there. Just enjoy the view. Who knows you might even see a OIL SPILL.
Unparalled Views--Good Food
by keida84 about Margarita Villa
Located in the Ventura Harbor, upstairs from the carousel is a great Mexican restaurant. What makes this place so great is the view from the patio dining deck. Overlooking the entire Ventura Harbor makes eating here a pleasure and they have very good food to boot.
One thing about sitting up on the roof especially in the summer, you make sure you have a heavy sweater or coat the wind in the afternoon and evening can be a bit much. Margarita Villa has propane heaters which work very well to keep the customers warm.
Note: for those persons who are wheelchair bound or mobility disabled, there is an elevator for handicap access. There is so much to choose from the menu. I think they make the best Albondigas (meatball) soup, it is chock full of vegetables, meat balls and is in a "tomato-y" base. It is something I highly recommend you try.
Then on to the entrees. Portions are so big, so we usually always end up taking our leftovers in a bag. Note: most hotel rooms have a small refrigerator so those who are traveling can still take their leftovers home.
I enjoy the carne asada quesadilla which is plenty good for a meal. Paul enjoys the nachos, he is the "nacho man".
The bar is getting better and better. I had a mango cocktail (vanilla schanapps, with pinapple juice, coconut liqueur, rum and mango puree) very tasty.
The Pier in Ventura
by spgood301
Like most coastal California towns, Ventura has it's own pier. It's not just a place to park your boat.
Originally built in 1872, the pier once served steamships and was a vital mode
of transportation in and out of Ventura. In the early days, getting in and out
of this harbor town was a challenge. With the advent of the pier and the
visiting steamships, the areas rich and abundant produce could make it off to
market. New settlers and their supplies also found it easier to boat in than to
go over the mountains.
The current wooden structure is 1958 feet long and is reputed to be the longest
in California. You will find rows of eager fishermen and women lined up with
their lines dropped over the rail. There are cleaning stations for those lucky
in the hunt.
The pier also sports a high end restaurant, a snack bar and a bait shop.
The weather along the California coast isn't always great, especially the first part of the day. Still, strolling along the pier in Ventura is quite fun and relaxing, no matter the weather.
BTW, many thanks to Keida84 for all the historical info on this tip.
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Ventura pier
Harbor Village
Olivas Adobe
City Hall
