Vibing in Ventura
Discovering California’s Coastal Paradise
By Nicole Leonetti
I love a great beach town, and Ventura is among the best the Central Coast has to offer. It feels like it’s straight out of a movie set! There’s something for everyone to enjoy here, from the Harbor to the Pier to Main Street, from its eclectic restaurants and amazing breweries to its vast array of shops and more.
EAT
For breakfast, you cannot go wrong with Pete’s Breakfast House. Pete’s is a family-owned restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, and serves breakfast all day, every day. Try favorites such as their Chorizo and Eggs or the Mexicali with eggs, tortilla, salsa, cheese, sprouts, and avocado served with beans and potatoes.
Over at Hill Street Cafe, you can start the day right with a Roasted Poblano Eggs Benedict or perhaps their Huevos Rancheros. This family-owned restaurant has been serving Ventura since the 1980s and makes fantastic Micheladas and bottomless mimosas!
If wine is more your speed, you will quickly fall in love with Paradise Pantry. Chef Kelly Briglio and wine curator Tina Thayer have created a trifecta of my favorite things – restaurant, wine shop, and cheese counter! Paradise Pantry has a popular dog-friendly patio where you can take in the energy of Main Street while enjoying menu favorites, such as their famous Grilled Cheez with rosemary jack, aged cheddar, and caramelized onions, or the Caviar Bites with Sterling Caviar and rainbow trout roe, crème fraîche, and pickled shallots, all on a roasted potato cake. “The flavor profiles Chef Kelly puts together are magic,” said Tina, who curates the shop’s weekly wine flights.
Paradise Pantry offers a diverse selection of wine, from local winemakers to those across the globe. Grab a bottle to go, and pair it with amazing cheeses from their counter. Along with a wine club, they also have a cheese club, where you can receive amazing cheeses monthly.
Further down the walkable Main Street, you will find Ventiki – Tiki Lounge & Lanai. At this island-themed oasis, enjoy Mai Tais and a slew of exciting cocktails made from the largest rum selection in Ventura County. Their Polynesian-inspired menu includes Potstickers, Coconut Shrimp, and Poke Bowls. The fire pit and fun music on the lanai patio will transport you to a beach state of mind.
Also on Main Street, at Asiatique Eatery you can get your fill of Asian specialties. Whether you are craving Pad Thai, Ramen, or Udon Noodles, Asiatique has you covered! Their Khao Soi is a highlight – it is a Thai Coconut Curry Soup that you can enjoy with your choice of protein. Don’t miss their robust vegan menu that includes a Tofu Hot Pot. Their beverage selection features everything from Boba Tea to Sake to a variety of Soju cocktails.
I was delighted to discover that Ventura has a Taco District. The tacos simply blew me away! Along Ventura Avenue, on the westside of Ventura, 18 restaurants and taco trucks serve a whopping 185 different tacos to try. “The beauty of The Avenue is that there are so many regional foods from Mexico and each place brings something a little different,” said Kendra Gonzales. Born and raised on “The Avenue,” Kendra now serves as executive director of the Westside Community Development Co., a non-profit organization that supports local businesses and community. Kendra’s family owns Taqueria Tepatitlan, which has been in business for over 30 years. Famous for their Baja-style Fish Tacos, they also serve fabulous Micheladas.
As you saunter down the taco trail, don’t miss Johnny’s Mexican Food. Among the oldest establishments in the Taco District, they’re known for their sublime Crispy Beef Tacos. Another favorite of mine is Lalo’s – their Carnitas and Lengua Tacos are perfection. These options are all super affordable, so you can fill up on tacos without breaking the bank.
Kendra shared the sentiment of many in Ventura: “Perfect climate, sunny days, ocean breeze … I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” Describing her perfect day in Ventura, she shared, “I would go for a walk in Kellogg Park, walk over to a local restaurant, grab a taco, check out the views at Grant Park, hit up the thrift stores, and do a walking tour of the murals.”
Heading back to the coast, The Jolly Oyster serves oysters on the beach — a perfect pairing. The company “focuses on sustainable and environmentally conscious oyster farming,” said co-founder Mark Reynolds. “We have certain values and principles based on being humane and natural.” They do not use pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, or hormones in their oysters.
Fundamentally an oyster farm concentrating on the pristine waters of Baja California, their Shuck Shack is open on weekends at San Buenaventura Beach. Bring your own snacks and beverages, and the Shuck Shack will provide the shellfish. Try your hand at shucking your own oysters, or order from their mobile kitchen, which serves up raw shellfish and cooked plates such as their Grilled Oysters with Habanero Butter and Fried Oyster Tacos.
A stroll down the beach and onto the Ventura Pier leads to another Ventura favorite, Beach House Tacos. This popular spot serves a wide array of taco and burrito options.
Venturing to Ventura Harbor Village, check out The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, which has a dog-friendly patio with ample seating overlooking the harbor. The Greek features fun cocktails and a wine list that includes Greek wine, along with delicious Spanakopita and a Chicken Breast Souvlakia Kebob Platter served over rice and sautéed Mediterranean vegetables.
PLAY
Naturally, many activities in Ventura take place on the water, so plan a stop at the Ventura Harbor. A sun-kissed seaside playground with several sandy beaches for beachgoers, the Harbor offers wide-open spaces for boating and recreation. The Ventura Harbor Village sits just across the street from the sand, and is the ideal place to enjoy the stunning California coastline, dine at waterfront restaurants, shop at locally owned boutiques, and participate in a variety of outdoor activities. The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center makes its home here, as well, so be sure to stop in and learn more about this amazingly diverse region.
The Village plays hosts to a variety of activities and events throughout the year, said Ruby Hedrick, senior marketing & event coordinator. “We’re particularly excited about our Halloween weekend events, including the HOWL-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest on Oct. 26 and the Seaside Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 27, both of which are annual favorites.”
One of the highlights of Ventura Harbor Village is the access to the Channel Islands. Take a boat tour with Island Packers and explore incredible marine life and rugged landscapes. Back at the Village, visitors can enjoy activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and cruising through the sparkling marina on a boat shaped like a swan, duck, or dragon.
About 10 minutes up the coast from the Harbor Village, you will find the Ventura Pier. The oldest pier in California, it was built in 1872 and is a popular spot for local fishermen.
For a taste of history even older than the pier, visit the San Buenaventura Mission. Founded in 1782, the Mission offers self-guided tours that include a short video, a stop at the museum, and a closer look at the mission garden and grotto. Their gift shop sells a variety of devotional, seasonal, and collectable items.
Ventura Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to relax and take in amazing views of the coastline, the Channel Islands, and Ojai’s Topa Topa peak. This 107-acre site includes plants that represent the five Mediterranean climate zones of the world. Their knowledgeable guides offer free garden tours, and their gift shop offers great merch and garden supplies.
To explore nature further, head to Harmon Canyon Preserve. Established in 2020 by Ventura Land Trust, Harmon Canyon encompasses 2,123 acres of ridgeline and canyons. Previously used for farming, it now houses a protected area that includes rare coastal sage scrub and beautiful oak trees that are hundreds of years old.
Ten miles of hiking trails course through Harmon with seemingly endless side trails that offer tremendous ocean views. Trails range from family-friendly beginner trails up to more strenuous trails, and you may pass wildlife — including mountain bikers — along the way. Dogs are welcome on leash on the lower section of the canyon, and then a separate portion of the preserve provides a vital habitat for wildlife.
Another great option to become one with nature with Ventura Land Trust is Big Rock Preserve, which protects 20 acres of the Ventura River. This lovely little river preserve has great wildlife, birds, and an opportunity to swim and play in the river. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere while remaining close to the action of Ventura.
Melissa Baffa, executive director of Ventura Land Trust, said, “What makes Ventura so special is we are in this sweet little enclave – just an hour away from L.A. … (it) is a growing beach town with all of this open space adjacent to it … it is the gateway to central California.”
DRINK
As you may expect, Ventura has no shortage of places to kick back and grab a drink. From wine to beer to inventive cocktails, Ventura has it all.
Naturally, I visited several area wineries. Wildflower Winery has been producing wine since 2020 focusing on small-batch, low-intervention wines. Owner and winemaker Natalie Albertson lived in Sicily for five years before moving to Ventura. She started studying wine when she arrived and discovered, “I had these wines in me that I really wanted to make.”
With winemaking facilities in Ventura, Wildflower sources grapes from the Central Coast. The grapes are certified organic – both organically farmed and sustainable. “I make fresh, vibrant wines with modern technology and ancient techniques,” Natalie said. They include a sparkling Primitivo, an orange wine made from Albariño, and a Syrah. In their cozy tasting room, which opened in April 2023, they pour flights of five wines. I just love the labels on their bottles and was delighted to hear that they are created by Beth Chaney, a high school art teacher from Bakersfield.
Four Brix Winery & Tasting Room was opened in 2008 by co-owners Karen and Gary Stewart. Four Brix is a play on words, as brix is a measurement of the sugar content in grapes, but also a tribute to their four favorite “sweet spots” for wine production. Karen explained they “try to pay tribute to our favorite wine regions — Italy, France, Spain, and California.”
Gary serves as winemaker in their Ventura facility and sources grapes from the Central Coast. They do a lot of blending, which is typical of the European style of wine making. Scosso, one of their most popular wines, combines Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Their tasting room is open Friday through Sunday where, in addition to enjoying their wine, you can snack on pizzas, empanadas, cheese/charcuterie plates, and chocolate! They also have live music in their barrel room.
Along with a wine club, Four Brix also offers a cider club through their city company, Pier City Cider. These are sulfite-free and gluten-free, and are made with organic apples. They produce 11 cider flavors including Sour Apple, Persimmon Lavender, and Tamarind Ice.
Back at the Ventura Harbor Village, check out Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room. Their Deep Sea “Beach Blanc” is a refreshing blend of Pinot Grigio, Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat. They host interactive events throughout the year including Bingo, Wine & Cheese Pairings, Paint Nights, and more.
At cocktail hour, turn to Good Lion Hospitality, known for its innovative bar/cocktail spaces throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura. Brandon Ristaino and Misty Orman, a husband-and-wife team, founded Good Lion Hospitality 10 years ago. With years of experience in the restaurant and bar industry in L.A., they moved to Santa Barbara to take advantage of the emerging food and beverage scene. While each of their venues have focused themes, Brandon shared, “Cocktails are the thread that work throughout all of the concepts.”
Two of Good Lion’s locations are right next to each other on Ventura’s Main Street. Housed in a renovated vintage store, Bank of Italy Cocktail Trust opened in March 2021. An Italian-influenced cocktail bar and restaurant, they offer cocktails such as Lambrusco Spritz and Negroni Rosado to set the stage for an unforgettable evening. Next door, Strange Beast, a casual cocktail izakaya, serves inventive cocktails such as a Yuzu Sidecar and Japanese Michelada. Their menu comes from the Sama Sama Kitchen Group with specialties such as the Pork Katsu Sando and Vegetable Tempura.
In addition to cocktails, both locations offer beer and wine. They carry independent California beers and thoughtful wines curated by sommelier Lenka Davis. Non-alcoholic options, such as their Tamarind Coolers with Tamarind paste, are created from scratch.
Good Lion Hospitality will open their next project on the corner of Oak and Santa Clara. Jaguar Moon will be like, “walking through an agave field on acid,” said its owners. They are working with the chef Ramon Velasquez on a Yucatan-Oaxacan fusion menu and will serve up popular mezcal and tequila-based cocktails. They look forward to welcoming you to the cocktail garden to try their new signature Jaguar Moon cocktail.
Although inventive cocktails are exciting, sometimes only a cold beer will do. Leashless Brewing Company is a certified organic brewery just a few blocks off Main Street. The taproom feels like a backyard party with regular live music, like reggae, SKA, funk, and beach music.
“Commitment to environmental stewardship is near and dear to us,” said founder John Gonzales. Leashless specializes in gluten-reduced beer that is safe for the gluten-free community. Opened in 2017, the Leashless name refers to surfing without a leash, and the company integrate the beach lifestyle in everything they do.
Popular beers include their Cheater 5 Pilsner, a Belgian-style pilsner that is clean and crisp. I also love their Coconut Hazy IPA which is a nod to all things coconut and tropical. In addition to beers, they serve a selection of hard seltzers. For those looking for a non-alcoholic option, they recently released a gluten-free Dragon Fruit Ranch Water mocktail that is quite refreshing.
Topa Topa Brewing Co. was co-founded in downtown Ventura by CEO Jack Dyer and brewmaster Casey Harris. Topa Topa has three core values — quality, craftsmanship, and community spirit. They are part of the One Percent for the Planet organization, where one percent of their profits go to various environmental causes.
“Our beer is just a little different – in the best way,” said Jack. Their goal is to source the best ingredients to make straightforward, quality beer. One of their top sellers is their Chief Peak IPA, which has tropical and citrus flavors. This beer is perfect after hiking one of Ventura’s many mountain trails. In fact, many of their beers are designed around experiences of the region. Their Dos Topas Lager is a crisp, refreshing Mexican-style lager that you will want to bring to the beach.
With five locations around the Central Coast, there are two Topa Topa options in Ventura. They have their original downtown location, as well as their new headquarters and brewery location. The headquarters and tasting room feature an outdoor beer garden, where you can grab a pint and enjoy live music, comedy nights, and share a picnic. Guests can bring their own food or opt to order from local restaurants and food trucks. All of their taprooms have a welcoming atmosphere and are dog-friendly, family-friendly and overall great places to enjoy the California weather.
Another great brewery is MadeWest Brewing Company with two locations in Ventura. Check out their brewery location or their tasting room on the Ventura Pier. MadeWest is all about handmade craft beer. A favorite of mine is their Ventura Light lager. I’m also a big fan of Purple Tide, an Italian-style pilsner with floral and herbal aromas.
SHOP
Main Street is a perfect place to start your Ventura shopping spree. Lined with shops, restaurants, and live music, it is an all-day party. One store I visit repeatedly is The Calico Cat Book Shop. I can spend hours perusing their selection of quality used and rare books, and their collection of original California citrus signs.
A must-stop on Main Street is Latitudes Gallery. An art lover’s paradise, Latitudes is where you can shop for beautiful photographs to fill your walls with nature. Founders Stephanie Hogue and Steve Munch have spent decades capturing their favorite scenes from nature and this is your opportunity to bring them home. They have amazing photos depicting coastal views, mountains, animals, and more. They also have photography-inspired books, note cards, and tote bags.
Steps away, Palermo Coffee & Gifts serves coffee, gelato, and chocolate truffles along with an assortment of gifts, cards, candles, lamps, and kitchenware. B’z Paperie, a one-stop shop for the creative people in your life, boasts a marvelous array of stationery, art supplies, and gifts. At Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery you’ll find a wide variety of Ventura-inspired souvenirs.
In the Ventura Harbor Village, one of my favorite spots is Ventura Pottery Gallery, where you can discover plates, bowls, mugs, jewelry, and more all handcrafted by local artisans. In November, the Gallery hosts the “Bowl of Thanks” fundraising event where participants purchase a handmade ceramic bowl and stroll through the Village sampling a variety of dishes from participating restaurants. Nearby in the Village, Top This Chocolate lets you customize your very own premium chocolate bar including holiday options.
Ventura is known for farms and farm stands, and I love to stop at Rodela Produce & Flowers, which offers a vast selection of flowers and produce as well as honey, nuts, assorted snacks, and my favorite — Tajin chile mango. On Saturdays, explore the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers Market, which has been operating continuously since 1986 and features more than 45 farmers and food vendors weekly.
Always seeking a metaphysical shop, I was excited to stumble across Journey Home in an unassuming shopping center. Open since 1988, they offer readings, healings, crystals, books, jewelry, tarot cards, and more. If you find yourself in need of a new crystal wand (as I was), Journey Home has you covered!
A fun fact I learned about Ventura is that it also has great thrifting options. Stores such as Coalition Thrift and Boys & Girls Club of Ventura Thrift Store are full of treasures. Julie Madsen, communications & PR manager with Visit Ventura, shared, “Ventura is friendly to all budgets, which is part of its charm.”
STAY
To accommodate your stay in Ventura, you will find many options!
The Pierpont Inn, which opened in 1910, has a variety of rooms including suites and cottages. This historic, boutique hotel is dog-friendly, and offers flexible event space for your next corporate meeting or social function.
Hotel San Buena, housed in a building dating back to 1928, was recently renovated into a charming hotel. Enjoy local wines and beers at their lobby bar and relax in their sleekly decorated rooms that are the perfect blend of historic vibes and modern luxury.
Just steps from the Ventura Pier, Crown Plaza Ventura Beach is perfectly located directly on the beach. Take in the scenic ocean views from their rooms and beachfront bar.
Conveniently located two blocks from the beach, Ventura Beach Marriott offers guests a pool and newly renovated rooms.
After exploring Ventura, I wanted to pack my bags and move to the beach – for the tacos alone! Until I can make that a reality, I will continue to visit Ventura, soak up the beach culture, and discover even more of what this extraordinary city has to offer.