-
Ventura mixes old charm with new modern facilities to blend a rich and wonderful background to living. Ventura, still officially called San Buenaventura, was founded in 1782 by Fray Junipero Serra with the establishment of his mission [url=http://www.sanbuenaventuramission.org/history_main.html].]
Along Main Street you will find fabulous food, excellent shopping from amazing thrift stores to upscale boutiques, a movie theater, coffee shops, and other attractions.
Turn the corner at Main Street and head up Ventura Avenue and you are on the Westside [url=http://www.ci.ventura.ca.us/depts/comm_dev/planning_communities/westside.asp[/url].] The Westside is an up and coming area of Ventura with a rich cultural history. Contact the Westside Community Council [http://www.wccventura.org/[/url] for current information.
Note the iron bells every few miles on the 101 freeway. They are markers of the Camino Real, the route of Father Serra.
-
-
By plane
Ventura is located 68 miles north of Los Angeles Airport on Highway 101. This is a major international airport and will fly to many destinations. Burbank airport is slightly closer and flies to about a dozen destinations on the west coast as well as JFK. Santa Barbara airport is 40 minutes to the north, but smaller and only has flights to regional hubs. Oxnard and Camarillo have general aviation airports.
-
By train
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service is available at the Ventura station and the Coast Starlight stops in nearby Oxnard. [url=http://www.metrolinktrains.com/]Metrolink[/url] provides connections to [wiki=d0aa2dffa0da83f1f34681308d04db5d]Los Angeles[/wiki] via the [wiki=8b20181bc3de27fb7f9b6a117c9f5cce]San Fernando Valley[/wiki]. Commute hour service to LA in the morning and back to Ventura in the evening.
-
By car
Hwy 101 from Santa Barbara or Thousand Oaks, 126 from Santa Clarita and 1 from Malibu and Oxnard.
-
By bus
Ventura is served by [url=http://www.goventura.org/?q=travel-ventura]VISTA inter-city bus routes[/url], which provide regional service around Ventura County.
*Oxnard has a station for the [url=http://www.greyhound.com/]Greyhound bus service[/url] for long-distance transportation.
-
-
By bus
[url=http://www.goldcoasttransit.org]Gold Coast Transit[/url] provides fixed-route bus services in the cities of [wiki=1e7bd1841cb9bec5b3013f71d62979ae]Ojai[/wiki], [wiki=205384ca9ff1699bc767401a64dc079d]Oxnard[/wiki], [wiki=71b06c00b5c386e4eb0c3a002d31f28b]Port Hueneme[/wiki] and Ventura, and in the unincorporated County areas between the cities.
-
By car
Not needed downtown, but a good way to get around elsewhere.
-
On foot
Possible, but not advised for large distances.
-
San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main St, [url=http://www.sanbuenaventuramission.org/].]Museum M-F 10am-5pm, Sa 9am-5pm, Su 10am-4pm, except for major holidays. Church services, funerals, and weddings are still performed at the mission today. An original well stands in the back of the church, and a school for children is attached to the side. The Old Mission welcomes visitors daily from sunrise until sunset. The mission sits on Main Street in the heart of old town Ventura. Museum: $2.
* Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St, [url=http://venturamuseum.org/[/url].]Tu-Su 11am-5pm. Collections include Chumash and other native American artefacts. $4.
* Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Avenue, [url=http://www.bellartsfactory.org[/url].]Created out of a historic mattress factory showroom in the Westside of Ventura. There are free children's programs that enhance young lives through the arts and provide a cultural revitalization of the Westside. There are also many talented resident artists in studios creating beautiful paintings, jewelry, sculptures, weavings, photographs and ceramics.
* Ventura Hot Glass Studio, 777 N. Olive Street, 805-643-1848, [url=http://www.lahotglass.com[/url].]Formerly named LA Hot Glass, Artists John Gerletti and Suzi Perret have a unique studio open to the public featuring their handblown art glass. Pop in during the afternoons and you might catch them in the act of blowing glass. Individual pieces are showcased for sale with prices ranging from $50 to $400.
* Olivas Adobe [http://www.olivasadobe.org/[/url]. A 160-year-old adobe-style house with historical ties. The Adobe is rumored to be haunted. Tours are available.
* California Street crosses Main St where you can stand on the corner, look up and see the old county courthouse and jail, which is now city hall. The Perry Mason show used to be filmed there. If you turn around and head towards the ocean you'll come across more shops, and even a haunted hotel. Keep going to the ocean and check out the surfers next to the pier every morning.
-
Being a beach town, Ventura has developed the downtown beach area into a wonderful promenade that makes it's way along the beach, from "Surfer's Point" past the pier all the way down to the southern end of San Buenaventura State Beach [url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=600].] It makes for a nice jog, bike ride, roller-blading path or just a leisurely stroll to watch the sunset.
*Surfing - You can visit spitcast [http://www.spitcast.com[/url] to get the latest surf forecast.
*Rubicon Theatre Company. The only regional professional live theatre in Ventura County. It is located at 1006 E. Main Street. (805)667-2900. Rubicon Theatre Company in its ten year history has been the host to many stars of screen and stage including Susan Clark, Jack Lemmon, Ted Neeley, John Ritter, Linda Purl, Bruce Weitz, Stephanie Zimbalist, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. www.rubicontheatre.org
*International Book City - in mid 2006, Ventura declared itself an International Book City. The city is home to more independent bookstores than any other city in Ventura County; two publishing houses; and Perry Mason, the famous fictional lawyer created in the 1930s by writer Erle Stanley Gardner, who lived and worked here.
*The E.P. Foster library has 24 public computers and features an extensive collection of "how to" art books. Ventura is also an art community and the library hosts permanent and rotating art collections by local artists. Families will enjoy visiting the second floor which is being transformed into a Children and Teen library.
-
The Pacific View Mall [url=http://www.shoppacificview.com/]]and surrounding area (located about 3-5 miles southeast of old town Ventura, toward Oxnard) tends to be the shopping hub for the locals while tourists will appreciate the kitsch and variety of Old Town. Still, serious shopaholics are better off in Camarillo at the Camarillo Premium Outlets [url=http://www.premiumoutlets.com/camarillo/[/url]]or in Thousand Oaks at The Oaks [url=http://www.shoptheoaksmall.com/[/url].]
* Ventura has a hidden gem in the music/alternative mecca known as Salzer's [url=http://www.salzers.com/[/url]]which is on Victoria near Oxnard and Montalvo. The store is split into two factions: Music and Video which oddly enough are located in separate buildings on either side of Victoria.
* Korazon Organics [http://www.mykorazon.com[/url] at the end of Main Street located at 671 East Main street - one block from the movie theater. They have organic clothing made from sustainable fibers such as soy, cotton, bamboo, and hemp. It is a wonderful store and very unique. (805) 652-0899
*Heirloom Antiques (On Main St) - Offers an extensive collection of imported European antique furniture. Some really unusual pieces can be found at great prices. The owners are super nice, not too knowledgable on history/antiques, but they have a great appreciation of beautiful woodwork. The owner personally goes to Europe and buys the pieces at auction. Some stunning antique church furniture can usually be found there, which the legality is a little questionable since many European countries explicity forbid the sale/exportation of church furniture (which is commonplace knowledge in Europe but unknown in America).
*Thrift Stores! Main street (near California street intersection) has a great selection of thrift and antique stores. Many really great finds can be found if you are willing to look through some junk.
*One of the best theaters on the west coast. For over ten years, The Rubicon Theatre Company has enriched the city of Ventura with world-class performances as well as community enrichment. Truly, one of the most amazing experiences you will have while in California.
*Provides professional babysitters to residential and hotel customers through out all of Ventura County. The sitters are TB tested as well as certified in CPR & first aid, and background checked. The sitters show up in full uniform and bring a bag full of developmentally appropriate activities to engage the children.
-
Winchesters Bar and Grill at the other end of old town. They have a large beer selection, and fabulous food! Quite a pickup joint, second only to Table 13.
*Busy Bee Cafe. This campy 1950s style diner on Main has become a Ventura landmark. Pop in for a root beer float, raspberry-lime rickey, hot fudge sundae or one of many classic American food favorites.
* Johnny's [http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=21116667] On the Westside, at 176 N. Ventura Ave., just around the corner from Main Street. A Mexican food institution in Ventura. Try their famous shredded beef burritos prepared "three way"--meaning with beans, rice, and cheese!
*Tony's Pizza This is the best little pizza shack in town. It's perfect after surfing or hanging out at the beach. Also, the guy there will talk to you like he's known you for years. The pizza is thin crust style, and is very good.
*"'Toppers Pizza'" The best local pizza restaurant in town. Great for the family. Voted the best pizza two years consecutively by Ventura County Readers Poll. Big televisions and great salad bar.
*One of the best Indian restaurants in Ventura. Dinner will set you back about 20 dollars a person.
*Ventura's best Fine chocolate shop. Delicious loose and boxed truffles and other chocolates are priced by weight.
-
San Souci is the local dive where young and old alike go.
Billy O's Restaurant & Saloon located on E Main street is an irish dive bar and venue with pool table and regular shows and DJ nights, mainly attracts a younger local crowd.
*Great little micro-brewery, with interesting draught beer. Recommended to anyone who loves beer. They also have some really good meals at a decent price, high quality ingredients.
-
Best Western Inn of Ventura, 708 E Thompson Boulevard, (805) 648-3101, Fax: (805) 648-4019, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05360].
* Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Ventura, 298 S Chestnut Street, (805) 653-1434, [url=http://www.countryinns.com/venturaca]]Check-in: 3:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM. Located close to the Beach, Pier and Downtown, the Country Inns, Ventura offers a convenient and comfortable stay for family and corporate/business travelers with a complimentary full hot Breakfast and a Manager's Happy Hour.
* Holiday Inn, 450 E Harbor Blvd, (805) 648-7731, [url=http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/vntca[/url].]Sits right on the beach, towering above old town. It's a fabulous view of both Ventura's city charm, and her beautiful ocean shores
* Motel 6 Ventura Beach, 2145 East Harbor Boulevard, (805) 643-5100, Fax: (805) 643-4519, [http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0218&state=CA&full=California&city=Ventura[/url].
* Motel 6 Ventura South, 3075 Johnson Drive, (805) 650-0080, Fax: (805) 339-0926, [http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=1051&state=CA&full=California&city=Ventura].
* Vagabond Inn Ventura, 756 E Thompson Blvd, (805) 648-5371, [url=http://vagabondinn.com/Hotels/Ventura-CA/Overview/308]]Check-in: 3:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM. Vagabond Inn Ventura offers pet friendly rooms, complimentary continental breakfast, family suites, safes, cable TV, heated swimming pool, spa, free WiFi, and other services.
* Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 Harbor Boulevard, (805) 643-6000, Fax: (805) 643-7137, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oxrvb-ventura-beach-marriott[/url].
-
As with the route into this fine beach city, there are a number of options when it is time to leave. Southbound Highway 101 and Highway 1 are both great options if you are headed south to another destination or to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Northbound Highway 101 will take you up to Santa Barbara and on through San Luis Obispo on the way to San Franciso. To head east, just jump on Highway 126 which winds it's way out to the small towns of Santa Paula and Fillmore on the way to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Seleccionar Destino
Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic Republic (ex. Zaire)
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
France, Metropolitan
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard and Mc Donald Islands
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle Of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey Island
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Other Countries
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City State (Holy See)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.S.
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Western Sahara
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Spanish