15 A laugh & Easiest Issues to Do in Ventura, California

The coastal town of Ventura lies midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles off the Pacific Coast Freeway. Because the county seat of Ventura County, Ventura is the most important town with simply over 110,000 citizens in 2020. And even supposing everybody refers back to the the town as “Ventura,” its authentic identify is San Buenaventura, that means excellent fortune.

While you consult with, you’ll revel in this excellent fortune firsthand, with the pretty mountain and ocean perspectives, near-perfect climate, tall palm bushes, and herbal attractiveness. Whilst its location at the Pacific Ocean makes it an epic browsing vacation spot, Ventura is a lot more than that.

There are never-ending amusing issues to do in Ventura, California, comparable to exploring Ventura Harbor, renting a kayak, happening a whale looking at excursion, development sandcastles at Emma Wooden State Seaside, or driving motorcycles at the Ventura Motorcycle Trail. The very best climate in Ventura makes out of doors amusing much more relaxing.

You’ll be able to additionally experience Ventura’s arts, historical past, and tradition scene by way of visiting the San Buenaventura Undertaking, the Museum of Ventura County, downtown Ventura, and the beautiful gardens at Ventura Botanical Gardens. The town’s wealthy historical past makes for a amusing tutorial revel in.

Now not best does Ventura have never-ending out of doors leisure alternatives and plenty of historic and cultural websites, nevertheless it’s additionally well-known for its “haunted” reviews on the Town Corridor and Bella Maggiore Inn. So, if you happen to’re feeling courageous, chances are you’ll wish to take a ghost excursion of downtown Ventura. Simply be careful for “Sylvia”!

Stay studying if you happen to’re searching for the most productive issues to do in Ventura, California. We’ve were given you lined!

TLDR

Easiest & A laugh Issues to Do in Ventura, California

1. Ventura Harbor Village

Cope with: 1583 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura Harbor Village is the very best vacation spot if you happen to’re searching for a unmarried position to stick, dine, play, store, and loosen up. This beach enchantment contains dozens of artwork galleries, eating places, boutiques, tours, and extra! You’ll additionally to find reside leisure, gala’s, and out of doors occasions year-round.

As well as, this premier oceanfront vacation spot gives lots of outside game alternatives, like kayaking, sportfishing, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating. And don’t concern, you’ll be able to hire any private watercraft you want- they also have boat leases on the harbor!

Ventura Harbor Village has an attractive strolling trail, making it simple for guests to loosen up on land or water. The harbor could also be house to the Channel Islands Nationwide Park Customer Heart, so you’ll be able to know about all 5 islands with out hopping on a constitution boat. (Even though there are alternatives to discover the islands and native marine existence throughout the Island Packers constitution provider!)

Eating choices come with recent seafood comparable to lobster, salmon, oysters, halibut, and clams. Alternatively, there are lots of oceanside delicacies choices if you happen to’re no longer keen on seafood. As a substitute, experience a scrumptious burger or recent Mediterranean delicacies, then pleasure your candy enamel with the well-known Dole Whip or beach ice cream. Or, give up by way of some of the espresso stores to get your java repair!

Or, if you happen to’ve were given a complete kitchen to your holiday condo, you’ll be able to reinforce native fishermen by way of choosing up domestically stuck fish on the Ventura Harbor Village. There’s not anything reasonably like making ready and consuming the day’s catch!

Consumers will fancy effective artwork, coastal house decor, California attire, ocean-inspired items, and seaside put on. Don’t put out of your mind to carry house some native souvenirs for space sitters, canine sitters, or different members of the family!

If you wish to keep within reach so you’ll be able to come and cross simply, believe the 4 Issues by way of Sheraton Ventura Harbor Lodge. With a year-round pool, sizzling bath, and onsite eating place (and room provider!), you’ll be able to be close to all of the pleasure on the harbor. And if you wish to head again out after a day nap, have a look at the comedy line-up at Ventura Comedy Membership!

2. San Buenaventura State Seaside

Cope with: 901 San Pedro St, Ventura, CA 93001

San Buenaventura State Seaside contains kind of 2 miles of beachfront from the Ventura Pier to Marina Park. This state seaside has a laid-back really feel, with vacationers and locals swimming, taking part in frisbee, picnicking, browsing, or taking part in seaside volleyball. Even though it has a at ease vibe, there are well-trained lifeguards year-round, particularly all over the summer time.

A paved path referred to as the Omer Rains Motorcycle Path on the seaside’s primary front will take you to the scenic sand dunes on the park. In the event you proceed in this path, you’ll get to the Ventura Pier and Emma Wooden State Seaside. The Omer Rains path connects to the Ventura River and Ojai Motorcycle Path after which to the Ventura Prom, making a lot of town available by way of foot and motorbike.

If you want seaside leases or wish to take an electrical motorbike or a surrey round the town, take a look at native Wheel A laugh Leases. Or, if you want to devour recent clams or oysters, head to some of the seaside’s meals vehicles, the Jolly Oyster, positioned close to Wheel A laugh Leases and the sand volleyball courts.

As though San Buenaventura State Seaside wasn’t already an incredible position to consult with, there could also be loose parking downtown. So if you happen to’re searching for issues to do in Ventura, California, put this pristine seaside for your listing! Whether or not you’ve were given little ones alongside on your shuttle or are flying solo, this state seaside is an ideal give up.

Cool off on the out of doors pool at within reach Ventura Seaside Lodge (inside of strolling distance of the seaside!) and experience a scrumptious seafood dinner onsite.

See Similar: A laugh & Easiest Issues to Do in Venice Seaside, California

3. Channel Islands Nationwide Park

Location: Ventura, CA 93001

There’s a explanation why that Channel Islands Nationwide Park is known as the “Galapagos of North The usa.” The park contains 5 untouched islands surrounding the Channel Islands Nationwide Marine Sanctuary. The picturesque islands- San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara- are positioned within the Santa Barbara Channel.

Even though you’ll be able to see the islands from Ventura, you’ll be able to best get right of entry to them by way of boat or airplane. The native corporate Island Packers gives excursions from Ventura; they supply year-round transportation to Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz Island. Alternatively, journeys to the opposite 3 islands are seasonal. It’s vital to understand that no inns, eating places, or different products and services are on any island.

Simply an hour from Ventura Harbor Village, Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands are recognized for birders and sea cave kayaking. However you’ll be able to additionally hike and take within the wondrous wonderful thing about the untouched panorama. Alternatively, all the islands have their distinctive qualities, all of which can be wonderful.

The Santa Barbara Channel is house to 150 species discovered nowhere else on the planet! Alternatively, there also are well known species, comparable to blue whales, dolphins, elephant seals, and orcas.

Island Packers is the one authorized constitution provider out of Ventura Harbor Village. They provide natural world cruises, charters to the most important sea cave ever recognized, and person cruises to each and every island.

Seeing those undisturbed islands is an absolute will have to because it’s without a doubt some of the very best issues to do in Ventura, California! Prior to you head out to the islands, give up by way of the Lagomarsino Customer Heart to be informed extra about each and every of the islands!

4. Ventura Botanical Gardens

Cope with: 567 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001

 The Ventura Botanical Gardens is a impressive position to spend your day, with over 100 acres of lush vistas, beach perspectives, and Ojai’s Topa Topa height. Strolling throughout the lush gardens, you’ll revel in 5 other local weather zones- Chile, the Cape of South Africa, Southern Australia, the Mediterranean Basin, and California.

The primary give up on the Ventura Botanical Gardens is the Chilean Gardens, which incorporates a Chilean Soapbark Tree. This tree supplies a chemical compound, or adjuvant, to the shingles and COVID-19 vaccines. As a part of their number of endangered vegetation, you’ll additionally see Chilean Wine Arms.

Within the California Ramble, you’ll see local vegetation comparable to ceanothus, lemonade berry, and California oak. Guests to the local segment may even see coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and forest plant communities frequently present in Ventura County.

A part of the Ventura Botanical Lawn’s venture is to accomplish analysis, so the Mediterranean Lawn contains 40 other cultivars of olive bushes. The hope is this olive grove will assist the growers resolve which cultivars do properly with local weather exchange.

The South African Gardens come with geraniums, ericas, and protea, with an lovable bridge and dry creek mattress. In the event you flip again towards the doorway, you’ll see a wide ranging view of the interior islands.

The Karoo Gardens are considerable with aloe, however extra additions will likely be coming quickly. Whilst Australian vegetation are incorporated within the front house and confluence gardens, extra vegetation are within the works for the Australian lawn.

A present store on the Ventura Botanical Gardens front has native pottery, items, and souvenirs to thrill adults and children alike. In the event you’ve labored up an urge for food exploring the plush gardens, head to Entice Fish Area, inside of strolling distance of the gardens. The eating place serves locally-sourced recent seafood to thrill your whole senses!

See Similar: Maximum Unique Puts in California to Seek advice from

5. Undertaking San Buenaventura

Cope with: 211 E Major St, Ventura, CA 93001

In the event you’re a historical past lover, you will have to put Undertaking San Buenaventura for your itinerary when visiting Ventura. Officially referred to as the Undertaking Basilica of San Buenaventura, Undertaking San Buenaventura is now a Catholic parish and basilica within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Father Serra based the venture on Easter Sunday, 1782. It used to be named in honor of a thirteenth Century Franciscan and cardinal, Saint Bonaventure. The Spanish venture become the 9th of California’s 21 missions.

Undertaking San Buenaventura used to be the one venture that had wood bells. The church rang those wood bells the week ahead of Easter Sunday, when the church didn’t use steel bells.

The unique quadrangle blueprint remained thru 1875, however as of late the venture contains constructions from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty first Centuries. Sadly, lots of the unique venture used to be destroyed by way of fires and earthquakes. Nowadays’s guests will see the restored unique venture church, its lawn, and the more moderen constructions.

Guests to Undertaking San Buenaventura can excursion the pretty gardens and grotto, Undertaking Basilica Church, the Museum of Ventura County, Michelangelo’s Pieta, and Padre’s Burial and Settling Tank. The self-guided excursion additionally contains an academic video in regards to the historical past of the venture.

In the event you’d quite discover Ventura in a extra distinctive method, believe a virtual scavenger hunt, the place you cross throughout the town on a two-mile hunt as you remedy demanding situations close to Undertaking San Buenaventura and the Victorian homes on Thompson Blvd. and extra!

6. Rubicon Theatre Corporate

Cope with: 1006 E Major St, Ventura, CA 93001

Based in 1998, the Rubicon Theatre Corporate is the “emerging megastar of the Southern California cultural constellation.” Locals and vacationers consult with the regional theatre to observe cutting edge adaptions of vintage and recent performs. 

Situated simply blocks from the Pacific Ocean in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District, the Rubicon Theatre Corporate plays in a 180-seat historical church. On this renovated landmark, target audience participants are handled to an intimate revel in, by no means additional than ten rows from the level. 

The theatre corporate has gained many awards from L.A. Drama Critics and L.A. Level Alliance. As well as, many in their displays have transferred to New York, comparable to Wiesenthal, Lonesome Traveler, and Daddy Lengthy Legs. This regional theatre has noticed many well known actors comparable to Larry Hagman, Ed Asner, John Ritter, Susan Clark, and Conchata Ferrell. 

Guests to the Rubicon Theatre Corporate can be expecting upcoming displays comparable to Within the Heights, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and The Real looking Joneses. Touch the theatre about reductions for ten or extra visitors. 

See Similar: Easiest Reasonable Puts to Shuttle in the USA

7. Museum of Ventura County

Cope with: 100 E Major St, Ventura, CA 93001

The Museum of Ventura County is without doubt one of the oldest museums within the state, relationship again to 1913. Nowadays, the historical past museum incorporates greater than 1,000 artworks and greater than 30,000 artifacts. Whilst the Museum of Ventura County is the area’s historical past and artwork museum, 3 different places supplement this museum. 

The Analysis Library on the Museum incorporates maps, manuscripts, periodicals, architectural plans, county newspapers, and oral histories. As an example, in case you are taking a look to do historic relations analysis, you’ll wish to make an appointment to consult with the Analysis Library.

The Albinger Archaeological Museum is at the Nationwide Check in of Ancient Puts and presentations artifacts from over 3,500 years of regional historical past. Guests will be told in regards to the 5 number one cultures within the house, the early Chumash, Spanish, Mexican, Chinese language, and circa 1850 California. As well as, archaeologists exposed many artifacts throughout the museum from an archaeological dig in 1974. 

The fourth location is the Agricultural Museum positioned in downtown Santa Paula, a 20-minute pressure from the principle museum. The Ag Museum is in a historical mill development and incorporates reveals comparable to farming tractors, a residing beehive, and hands-on stations. Those family-friendly reveals educate the significance of agriculture and farming in Ventura County. 

Folks of every age will experience a shuttle to the Museum of Ventura County, with interactive reveals on artwork, historical past, and tradition.

8. Island Packers Cruises

Cope with: 1691 Spinnaker Dr #105B, Ventura, CA 93001

In case you are taking a look to shuttle to some of the 5 Channel Islands, do a whale looking at excursion, cross on a birding tour, a harbor cruise, or an outer island kayak excursion, Island Packers Cruises is the authentic boat concessionaire of the Channel Islands Nationwide Park.

There are year-round cruises to the interior islands, Santa Cruz and Anacapa. Those cruises take kind of an hour to pass the channel.

Island Packers additionally gives cruises to the outer islands, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara, however they’re best from March thru November. Going to the outer islands generally takes 2 1/2 to a few 1/2 hours, relying on whether or not the boat has a drop-off or pick-up alongside the best way. Alternatively, the shuttle to San Miguel takes anyplace from 3 to 4 1/2 hours, relying at the climate, itinerary, and natural world sightings.

In the event you don’t wish to cross ashore, you’ll be able to e-book one in every of their whale-watching or island natural world excursions. The island natural world cruise takes guests throughout the Channel Islands Marine Nationwide Sanctuary to look seals, sea lions, and dolphins swimming. Alternatively, the whale looking at excursions in summer time and iciness center of attention basically at the stunning whales alongside the beach of the islands.

If you wish to discover probably the most maximum beautiful and undeveloped lands and spot wonderful marine existence, you will have to put this for your itinerary. A cruise with Island Packers is well some of the very best issues to do in Ventura County! Prior to you head out for your shuttle, give up by way of the Lagomarsino Customer Heart within the harbor to be informed extra about your island vacation spot.

See Similar: Easiest California Highway Journeys | Your Final Information

9. Surfers Level at Beach Park

Location: Coastline Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

Surfers Level Seaside is positioned at Beach Park simply west of the Ventura Pier. The seaside follows the Prom to the Ventura River Estuary, the place a lagoon paperwork since the river backs up.

This seaside is a superb birding location however is basically referred to as a premier browsing and windsurfing spot. At Surfers Level Seaside, the purpose faces south, permitting west curls to roll in persistently. Surfers ceaselessly paddle out to quite a lot of spaces and experience the waves towards the pier.

Whilst it’s named Surfers Level as a result of its improbable browsing, the seaside has so a lot more. Guests can skate, hike, stroll, or motorbike alongside the paved Prom and the Omer Rains Motorcycle Path.

There also are alternatives for fishing, hen looking at, and picnicking. As well as, there’s a spacious garden at Prom Park adjoining to the seaside, the place guests could have a fantastic sand-free picnic. Park amenities additionally come with restrooms, showers, grills, and picnic tables.

If all the browsing has encouraged you, however you’re searching for extra newbie waves, take a newbie browsing lesson at Mondo’s Seaside, only a few miles west!

Surfers Level Seaside is well some of the very best spots in Ventura, with get right of entry to to the most productive sunsets, an attractive seaside, a paved mountaineering path, and cheap parking charges. Keep within reach at Crowne Plaza Lodge Ventura Seaside, very easily positioned in the course of Surfers Level Seaside and Ventura Pier. This useful location supplies get right of entry to to the Ventura Prom, town’s beach pedestrian path.

10. Los Padres Nationwide Wooded area

Cope with: Wheeler Gorge Customer Heart, Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023

Los Padres Nationwide Wooded area incorporates lots of the mountainous panorama alongside the Pacific coast from Ventura to Monterey. The wooded area is liable for reintroducing and protective many endangered vegetation and animals within the house, comparable to bighorn sheep, bald eagles, tule elk, peregrine falcons, and condors.

The Wheeler Gorge Customer Heart throughout the wooded area is a brief 30-minute pressure from Ventura. This middle supplies path guides, maps, and Journey Passes. As well as, a professional body of workers mean you can with the a lot of leisure alternatives to be had, comparable to backpacking, mountaineering, tenting, fishing, looking, and off-roading. There are mountaineering trails for each ability stage, from amateur to professional.

From the customer middle, you’ll be able to head north on Freeway 33 to take one in every of California’s most lovely scenic drives. This 38-mile pressure contains impressive rock formations, cliffs, and vistas. You’ll be able to customise the pressure in your liking and switch round on every occasion you’re able, however the scenic pressure ends when Freeway 33 meets Lockwood Valley Highway at Ozena Hearth Station 72.

No matter you select to do, you’ll be greeted with beautiful surroundings, near-perfect climate, and native natural world.

See Similar: Easiest Nationwide Parks to Seek advice from in November

11. Ventura Pier

Cope with: 750 E Harbor Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001

 The Ventura Pier, inbuilt 1872, is the oldest in California and is designated as a Ancient Landmark. The previous pier used to be prior to now referred to as the Ventura Wharf and the San Buenaventura Wharf. It used to be the mainstay of the world’s oil, agricultural, and building business in its early days. Alternatively, the Ventura Pier is now some of the most sensible sights within the county for beautiful perspectives of Pierpont Bay and the islands, and it’s additionally a great place for fishing and sunsets.

Vacationers can stroll, jog, motorbike, and absorb the wonderful thing about the sea perspectives. There also are eating places at the pier with very good sundown viewing alternatives.

As well as, there are boogie forums and seaside chairs to be had on the dock if you happen to plan on heading to San Buenaventura State Seaside or Surfers Level Seaside. Each seashores are simply available by way of the Ventura Prom from the pier.

Clutch a frosty chilly beverage at MadeWest Brewing Corporate after which have some fish tacos at Seaside Area Tacos. If you like extra upscale eating, head to Seaside Area Fish for his or her day-to-day recent specials and tapas bar.

Children will experience operating down the Ventura Pier in hopes of catching a view of marine existence, whilst adults will benefit from the beautiful surroundings of the Channel Islands and the sundown backdrop. The Ventura Pier is entertaining for every age and is well some of the very best issues to do in Ventura, California!

12. Ventura Town Corridor

Cope with: 501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001

The Town Corridor development is the previous house of the Ventura County Courthouse, inbuilt 1912. This historical landmark is understood for its copper dome, stained glass ceiling, terra cotta external, and wonderful marble lobby with a sweeping stairway. As well as, guests will understand the 24 faces between the primary and 2nd flooring depicting Spanish monks from early within the town’s historical past.

When the county courthouse closed in 1969 as it used to be structurally unsound, town of Ventura bought it from the county and reopened it after 5 years of making plans and recovery. A part of the recovery procedure incorporated 16 months of steam cleansing the three,600 terra cotta tiles!

The Ventura Town Council established the Municipal Artwork Acquisition program in 1999 to spotlight native artists. As guests stroll alongside the primary and 2nd flooring of Town Corridor, they’re going to see over 100 works of top inventive advantage by way of 70 artists.

Even though the Thomas Hearth in 2017 got here just about burning the historical development, it used to be spared. This development is probably the most stunning architectural web page on the town and is without doubt one of the very best loose issues to do in Ventura.  While you’re there, give up by way of the Ventura Botanical Gardens within reach.

See Similar: Easiest Spring Destroy Locations for Households in 2022

13. Serra Go Park

Cope with: 350 Summit Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

In the event you plan to visit Undertaking San Buenaventura, you’ll listen in regards to the historical past of Spanish missionary, Father Serra. On Easter Sunday in 1782, Father Serra based the Undertaking. In a while after he based the Undertaking, he planted a big wood pass on a hill overlooking the church.

When vacationers had been on the lookout for the Undertaking, they may search for the huge wood pass as a landmark that they had been just about the Undertaking. Nowadays that pass is a part of Serra Go Park, named after the Spanish missionary.

Sadly, the unique pass used to be demolished by way of climate within the 1860s, and a hurricane knocked down its alternative in 1875. Fortunately, the Undertaking in spite of everything changed the huge wood pass once more in 1912. Even though the Undertaking changed the pass for a last time in 1941, its symbolism has remained steadfast since 1782.

Nowadays, the Serra Go is a part of a one-acre parcel inside of Grant Park referred to as Serra Go Park, which sits simply above Ventura. What was once a landmark for ships visiting Undertaking Buenaventura is now one of the crucial impressive sundown perspectives on the planet.

At Serra Go Park, you’ll be able to see the Pacific Ocean and two Channel Islands, Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. The 107-acre Serra Go Park is a historical landmark.

In December 2017, rumors that the Thomas Hearth destroyed the Serra Go proved unfaithful, although the fireplace burned a number of portions of Grant Park. 

14. Emma Wooden State Seaside

Location: CA-1, Ventura, CA 93001

Emma Wooden State Seaside is a well known seaside for browsing, swimming, and fishing. As a result of its location subsequent to the Ventura River estuary, it’s no longer unusual to look natural world, together with songbirds, raccoons, and nice blue herons.

As well as, guests can ceaselessly see dolphins simply offshore, whilst fishermen ceaselessly catch bass, corbina, perch, and cabezon. Guests to Emma Wooden State Seaside too can see the ruins of a International Warfare II coastal artillery web page.

This gorgeous seaside is known as after Emma Wooden, who donated the slice of oceanfront assets south of the Taylor Ranch, now a California State Park. Sadly, the state park’s proximity to the Pacific Coast Freeway and the railroad tracks can ceaselessly be loud. So, if you happen to’re hoping for a extra non violent and serene seaside, chances are you’ll wish to head to San Buenaventura State Seaside.

Alternatively, Emma Wooden State Seaside has its advantages, with handy campsites on the water’s edge. As well as, the country grounds are just about operating trails and motorbike paths.

See Similar: A laugh & Easiest Issues to do in Monterey, California

15. Marina Park

Cope with: 2950 Pierpont Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001

Simply south of San Buenaventura Seaside and subsequent to Ventura Harbor, Marina Park is a sprawling 15-acre beach park with virtually a mile of beachfront. This park is understood for its massive grassy house, sand volleyball court docket, massive palm bushes, and a pirate send copy for youngsters. The town is within the strategy of changing the playscape, however till then, children may have a blast pretending to be Captain Jack Sparrow at the implausible play pirate send.

Marina Park could also be improbable for throwing a frisbee, enjoyable, fishing, kayaking, and crusing. You’ll be able to release small watercraft comparable to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from the dock or throw a line in and spot what fish will chew! As well as, the Leo Robbins Group Crusing Heart gives crusing categories for learners or those that want to refresh their talents.

So, Marina Park is an incredible spot whether or not you’re able to take on a sailboat or stand-up paddleboard or wish to loosen up at the lush grass with a picnic.

In the event you’re touring with a gaggle, believe this recent seaside holiday condo, simply steps clear of the seaside. You’re going to indubitably have sufficient room with 5 bedrooms, a big kitchen, and two spacious balconies!

FAQ

Similar Sources