Page 104 - 2017 Travel Guide to California

VENTURA
Beach gateway to North America’s Galápagos
B Y J I L L K . R O B I N S O N
»BIKE, PADDLE,
SWIM, STROLL
Ventura Visitors &
Convention Bureau
visitventuraca.com
VENTURA, WITH ITS BREATHTAKING
beach setting framed on one side by
mountains and on the other by the
Channel Islands, makes visitors feel as if
they’ve stumbled upon a bit of magic in
finding this scenic spot along California’s
central coast. It makes perfect sense,
because the original name of this Cali-
fornia city, San Buenaventura, labels it as
a city of good fortune.
Start your day with your feet in the surf,
because Ventura’s miles of beaches that
stretch from Surfer’s Point to Ventura
Harbor happen to be among the city’s star
attractions. Take a long walk, lounge in the
sun, or grab a board and enjoy a full aqua
immersion. The south-facing waterfront
and breaks along the beaches are essential
qualities that lure surfers from far and
wide, so you owe it to yourself to either try
it out or settle down on the sandy shore to
watch a few choice surf sessions.
Another reminder of how much the
Pacific Ocean figures into the daily life of
Ventura can be found at Ventura Harbor Vil-
lage. Score an outdoor table overlooking the
ocean to enjoy a meal of fresh, local seafood
and wine. The harbor’s arcade, carousel and
ice cream shop will easily figure into a
child’s dream list, and shoppers will love
scouring the shops for the perfect souvenir.
What’s Cooking Downtown
Early California history has a special place
in Ventura’s historic downtown cultural
district, which began as Saint Junípero
Serra’s final mission settlement. Walk
through downtown to see Mission San
Buenaventura and the historic homes,
museums, antique shops and restaurants
along the palm tree-lined streets. With an
abundance of family-owned stores, cultural
arts and thriving music and foodie scenes,
the downtown area is an ideal base for vis-
itors. Take advantage of the free trolley that
runs between downtown and Ventura
Harbor Village, stopping at major attrac-
tions and hotels.
102 2017 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
JON OSUMI/SHUTTERSTOCK; VISIT VENTURA. OPPOSITE: KAMILO BUSTAMANTE; HAYDEN BERGER; STEVE HEAP/SHUTTERSTOCK