Ventura, aka Shisholop in the language of the Chumash tribe who originally lived in the area, is the official seat of Ventura County. It's home to the famous Majestic Ventura Theatre, where live music rocks the rafters. The weather is mild and lovely all year round. There are some absolutely delightful sandy beaches and pods of graceful grey whales pay a visit on their long annual migration between Mexico to the Arctic.
Ventura is a farmer's paradise with its incredibly rich soil and perfect climate.
In 1782 Father Junípero Serra named the city 'San Buenaventura', which means 'good fortune'. The city has been on numerous 'Happiest City' lists ever since.
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Visit the Mission San Buenaventura, dating back to 1782, with its unique wooden bells
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Make like Jack Kerouac on your own road trip along Highway 101
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Experience the Channel Islands, one of the most peaceful National Parks in the USA
This is no place for clubbing. If that's what you're after, head for Santa Barbara or LA. But mellow, chilled Ventura has a charm all of its own, as you'll see when you sample all three of the above.
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This is where you'll find some of California's best surf breaks. There's the infamous C-Street close by as well as the epic Rincon and Silverstrand breaks. Head for Serra Cross Park for breathtaking 360 degree ocean views. Or sample a wide variety of beaches, from sandy and white to places rich in birdwatching and camping opportunities.
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Eat out at the Jolly Oyster, an oyster farm at San Buenaventura State Beach Park
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Enjoy miles of hiking trails weaving through rugged Arroyo Verde Park
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Rummage like a local on Main Street, once a tourist hotspot, now a gold mine of antique shops
The beaches, the seafood, the mountains and the culture... sample all three for a real flavour of all the pleasures Ventura is so well-loved for.
From painters and sculptors to dancers and musicians, it’s hard to go anywhere in town without finding either an artist at work or a display of creative efforts.
Can you resist the thought of a roaring camp fire on the beach? Of sleeping like a log in a tent right on the water's edge as the waves gently lap? Ventura is home to a great choice of beach campsites, one of which is Hobson Beach Park. The place is stuffed with great hiking trails and cycle paths, an excellent way to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace. San Buenaventura State Beach has a whopping great 1,700 foot pier complete with a snack bar, restaurant, and bait shop. There are ten museums to explore in the city including the Albinger Archaeological Museum and Olivas Adobe Historical Park. And the long, sunny beachfront promenade is quite simply beautiful.
If you're in town during August you'll love the Ventura County Fair, the only West Coast fair that takes place on the beach itself, where lovely sea breezes keep things nice and cool. Ventura Harbour itself is a prime destination, a busy marina where you can pick up island tours, hire fishing charters and treat yourself to a day's sailing. It's also absolutely packed with good shops and restaurants. The area's main crop is strawberries. To sample the region's mouthwatering wares, visit the excellent farmer's market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.