Page 145 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

ANACAPA ISLAND and the Channel
Islands, right; Ventura harbor, below
right; statue of Father Junipero Serra,
downtown Ventura, below.
»BIKE, PADDLE,
SWIM, STROLL
Ventura Visitors &
Convention Bureau
ventura-usa.com
activities and snorkel, dive, surf or kayak
in island sea caves.
The Channel Islands National Park is
also known as an important breeding and
resting area for a variety of seabirds. Back
on the mainland, birders have more to
choose from for viewing feathered friends.
With a varied elevation from sea level to
8,831 feet at the summit of Mount Pinos,
the area is rich with bird life. Up to 457 bird
species have been recorded in the county,
and Ventura has globally important bird
areas, such as Mugu Lagoon and the Los
Padres National Forest.
What's Cooking Downtown
Early California history has a special place
in Ventura’s Historic Downtown Cultural
District, which began as Father Junipero
Serra’s final mission settlement. Meander
through downtown to see Mission San
Buenaventura and the historic homes,
museums, boutiques, antique shops and
restaurants that dot the palm tree-lined
streets. With a wealth of family-owned
stores, cultural arts, and thriving music
and foodie scene—not to mention the
often-perfect weather—the downtown area
is an ideal home base for visitors.
Wine lovers can easily duck into a
downtown wine bar to taste the best of Cal-
ifornia’s Central Coast, which is recognized
as one of the world’s leading wine growing
regions. If you want to get closer to the
winemaking process, stop by the Ventura
Visitors Center to learn about the Ventura
County Wine Trail, which has a handful of
wineries that you can visit on your own or
on an organized tour.
Ventura’s thriving music scene counts
more than 35 venues offering live music,
along with dozens of special events and
festivals annually. On nearly any day of the
year, you can check out local bands, solo
artists and musicians who play just about
every genre of music—and you never know
who will be sitting in with the band.
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