Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Ventura, California
Indulge in one of California's best coastal secrets—Ventura Beach! Ventura Beach has many claims to fame, including its scenic beaches, fertile valleys, mountain ranges, bejeweled islands, and its charming town, all bundled up into one fantastic vacation area, just far enough from Los Angeles to be relaxing, and just close enough to be convenient.
Enjoy the sounds of waves crashing against the clean shoreline as you walk along the serene beaches of Ventura. Or get up close and personal with the waves by jumping right in and enjoying the cool waters. Surfing, kayaking, and windsurfing are all Ventura Beach specialties, as well as whale watching a bit further out from the coast. For some of the best surfing in Southern California, check out Surfer's Point. Take advantage of the beautiful scenery around the beach area by mountain biking through the hills or treating yourself to a hot air balloon adventure. Plus, being so close to Channel National Park allows guests a variety of excursions during their memorable stay at Ventura Beach. And while you're in Ventura, definitely make sure you walk around the downtown area, a thriving area with fantastic restaurants, thrift stores, shopping (including the Patagonia Clothing headquarters!), and museums. You may recognize some parts of Ventura from movies like Swordfish, Little Miss Sunshine, Chinatown, Erin Brockovich, The Aviator, and The Rock, all of which were partly filmed in the area.
Ventura, officially called San Buenaventura, "city of fortune," was founded by Father Junipero Serra as a Spanish mission in 1782. It became more popular after the Civil War when Americans began buying more land from the Mexicans. People prospered in Ventura, utilizing the fertile land to its fullest, eventually founding Sunkist Growers, Incorporated in 1893.
Enjoy roaming the beaches of Ventura, and don't forget to stick around for that amazing west coast sunset!