Ventura Shopping

It seems pretty much of everything to see is off of Main Street. Including their historical downtown area. They are so many different kinds of shops and awesome restaurants to choose from. Even a movie theatre. We enjoyed just strolling along and checking out all the businesses along here. Lots of parking and some restaurants have their own parking for customers, so keep this in mind. Have Fun!!

I have lived in town for 15 years and I have never discovered this wonderful shop. It's off the beaten path south of the Historic downtown district, quite close to the Victorian Rose Bed & Breakfast.

The quality of the merchandise is excellent. It is well displayed, clean and polished. The prices are so good that I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was seeing things correctly.

Excellent service with an emphasis on care and quality.

What to buy: Avenue Used Furniture & Antiques is an excellent choice for items such as dressers, armoires, desks, easy chairs, headboards, and dining room sets.

They also have a nice selection of vintage lamps and chandeliers. We purchased a set of victorian globe lamps and the price was well below what I saw for a single lamp in a catalog.

What to pay: Quality armoires begin at $300.00, easy chairs with ottomans $79 on up, crystal flush mounted light fixture $79.00.

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Access to the Mission is through the MISSION SAN BUENAVENTURA Museum/ Gift Shop. The Gift Shop has an abundance of religious articles and some very lovely garden statuary, like angels. You can also find crucifixes, bibles and rosaries.
The Mission Museum which was created in 1929, contains old priest vestments, an old confessional and one of the original wooden bells which was carved out of a two-foot block of wood. Also some beautiful crucifixes and other mass articles are displayed in glass shelves.
Open Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Other Days 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A lovely ivy covered shop in the heart of historic downtown Ventura. Villa Tasca offers a wide array of home and garden accents.

The shop beckons as it sort of spills out the doors with enticing looking tapestries, flowers, streamers and stone wall fountains.

Enter and you shall find a wide assortment of eclectic candles, greeting cards, tableware and seasonal merchandise which overwhelms your senses.

What to buy: Villa Tasca offers beautiful handmade soaps and a line from Caswell Massey. Their wall tapestries are beautiful. At Christmas time they have a wonderful collection of gourmet hot chocolates and teas.

They also have little jewled frame ornaments that you can keep out year-round. Beautiful!

What to pay: A small bar of handmade soap can set you back $2.50 and greeting cards around the same price range.

What a treat to eat at Tutti's Off Main. Tutti's used to be in Monecito, outside of Santa Barbara. Luckily for Ventura, it's relocated there. It's an oasis of delicious foods with an amazing brick patio covered by a huge pergola arbor. The menu is full of wonderous choices, some familiar and some unusual. You can't go wrong. My friend and I split a mouth-watering thin crust pizza with unusual toppings, and shared the rice pudding. Both were beyond expectations. I enjoyed a hot mocha (Happy tastebuds) and my friend had an outstanding Bloody Mary. The interior ambiance is wonderful, fireplace and all. The outside huge patio is a delight for the senses. Highly recommend you treat yourself to the Tutti experience. It's a quick walk off the hustle and bustle of Main Street. Can't wait to go there for dinner!
34 North Palm, phone 805--6430880

Main Street in Ventura is full of antique stores, unique boutiques and at least one thrift store, corporate America has thankfully not invaded this stretch of Ventura! The three of us girls spent a couple of hours after lunch poking into antique stores, a couple of jewelry shops, one of which featured beads and supplies to make your own jewelry as well as plenty of finished product.

I didn't buy anything but Kat found a lovely plate rack to display her collection of tea cups.