Page 105 - 2017 Travel Guide to California

VENTURA AT DUSK, opposite top;
regatta in Ventura, opposite bottom; Topa
Topa Brewing Company, right; Ventura
pier, center right; Saint Junípero Serra
statue in front of Ventura City Hall, below.
Beer fans can easily check out what’s on
tap at the many local breweries downtown.
Brewery hopping is ideal here, because a
handful—Anacapa Brewing Company, Bar-
relhouse 101, Topa Topa Brewing Company
and Ventura Coast Brewing Company—are
all within walking distance. A short drive
away is the Off Market Street Trail, where you
can taste what’s new at MadeWest Brewing
Company, Poseidon Brewing Company and
Surf Brewery. A good way to feel as if you
deserve your brews is to start the day with a
two-wheel adventure with Cycle California
Coast, a grand loop of 150 scenic miles (you
don’t have to do them all at once!).
Ventura’s music scene counts more than
35 venues offering live music, along with
special events and festivals annually.
Channel Islands Adventures
Opportunities for adventure abound at
Ventura Harbor Village—from kayak and
stand-up paddle board rentals in the harbor,
to whale watching trips, to boat trips to visit
Channel Islands National Park and Marine
Sanctuary. This string of five islands and its
surrounding waters are known as North
America’s Galápagos and are home to an
abundance of wildlife, including whales,
dolphins, foxes and even bald eagles. Hike
along miles of trails to enjoy the spectacular
views of the islands’ rugged beauty, or take
advantage of the various water-based activ-
ities and snorkel, dive, surf or kayak in
island sea caves.
Channel Islands National Park is also
known as an important breeding and
resting area for a variety of seabirds. Back
on the mainland, 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, which includes globally
important bird areas such as Mugu Lagoon
and Los Padres National Forest.
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