Page 66 - 2023-2024 Travel Guide to California

VENTURA COUNTY COAST
The gateway to California’s Central Coast
B Y L E N O R E G R E I N E R
SURF, TACOS,
SEAFOOD,
SUNSETS
VENTURA COUNTY
COAST
VenturaCountyCoast.com
VENTURA COAST LANDSCAPE, above; Surfing,
Port Hueneme Beach, below.
The Ventura County Coast offers miles
of uncrowded beaches, classic Amer-
ican coastal cuisine and some of the
best places to surf in the country.
On the mythical Highway 101 between
Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, discover the
surf-town vibes and small-town charm of
Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Port
Hueneme. To explore the sun, sand, and
epic waves, take a four-day classic Cali-
fornia road trip and experience the
quintessential “California State of Mind”
without breaking the bank.
Road Trip to Adventure
Begin in Camarillo and shop for surf wear
at Rip Curl or Vans, among the Camarillo
Premium Outlets’ 160 stores. Afterward,
toast your shopping success at Twenty 88
Bistro with a jalapeño apricot margarita or
a pear lavender martini and spend your first
night at an affordable boutique hotel, in the
heart of beautiful Old Town Camarillo.
The next morning, cruise over to the Port
Hueneme Beach Park and Pier for your first
beach day. Later, warm up around Surfside
Seafood’s firepits before dining on fresh-
caught seafood as an orange sunset sinks
into the Pacific. At night, fall asleep in a
beachy inn, minutes from the sand.
Up the coast, in nearby Oxnard, splurge
with an oceanfront property on Mandalay
Beach, where you can borrow any needed
gear, from longboards to beach games. And
do not miss the town’s epic taco scene. On
the famous Oxnard Taco Trail, over 15 loca-
tions will guide you through barbacoa
plates, red mulitas, birria pizzadillas, torta
titanics and more.
At your last stop in Ventura, start your
day with a surfing lesson and take in epic
views of the Channel Islands from the
Ventura Pier. Known as the “Galápagos of
North America,” Channel Island National
Park, comprised of five islands, offers
hiking, bird watching, snorkeling, diving,
and more and is accessible from Ventura
Harbor or from Channel Islands Harbor in
Oxnard. At the end of your day, grab a
drink at a beachfront bar before dining on
local farm and sea-to-fork ingredients.
That night, dream of waves and islands
after checking into a restored vintage
trailer, a short walk from the pier.
64 2023-24 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
VENTURA COUNTY COAST