Guidebook for Ventura
Food Scene
One of my top three in Ventura. Restaurant plus wine and cheese shop. Great small plates, salads and fresh daily specials. Don't miss Kel's Killer Mac 'n Cheese and the desserts.
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Paradise Pantry
222 E Main StOne of my top three in Ventura. Restaurant plus wine and cheese shop. Great small plates, salads and fresh daily specials. Don't miss Kel's Killer Mac 'n Cheese and the desserts.
Fresh oysters eaten at the beach - does it get any better?
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The Jolly Oyster Ventura
911 San Pedro StFresh oysters eaten at the beach - does it get any better?
Beach House Fish
668 E Harbor BlvdBeer and tacos on the pier
Sports bar right by the beach, lots of light, fresh air, good beer - great place to catch the games.
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Social Tap Ventura
1105 S Seaward AveSports bar right by the beach, lots of light, fresh air, good beer - great place to catch the games.
Don't miss this tiny but awesome Japanese restaurant. Not sushi, but excellent small plates - skewers, onigiri (ask for the Godzilla!), ramen, sukiyaki. Sapporo on draft, you'll love it
Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House
2098 E Main StDon't miss this tiny but awesome Japanese restaurant. Not sushi, but excellent small plates - skewers, onigiri (ask for the Godzilla!), ramen, sukiyaki. Sapporo on draft, you'll love it
Rice by Mama
419 E Main StLove the tom kha ghai soup, plus everything else.
My very favorite place for fish, just a few blocks from the Ventura Pier. Everything is delicious, service is perfect. Bar has a great happy hour, highly recommend the ahi ceviche and the crab cakes.
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Lure Fish House
60 S California StMy very favorite place for fish, just a few blocks from the Ventura Pier. Everything is delicious, service is perfect. Bar has a great happy hour, highly recommend the ahi ceviche and the crab cakes.
Doesn't get any more Ojai than this. Farm to table restaurant, everything is superb. In the summers they add tables outside, light up the wood-fired pizza oven, and have amazing evening concerts.
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Farmer and the Cook
339 W El Roblar DrDoesn't get any more Ojai than this. Farm to table restaurant, everything is superb. In the summers they add tables outside, light up the wood-fired pizza oven, and have amazing evening concerts.
Great food with a NYC East-villagey vibe. Just a couple doors from the movie theater so great before or after a show.
Sicily By Gino
563 East Main StreetGreat food with a NYC East-villagey vibe. Just a couple doors from the movie theater so great before or after a show.
Ventura's only all-vegan restaurant. The chef at this tiny gem is classically trained, food is delicious.
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Mary's Secret Garden
100 S Fir StVentura's only all-vegan restaurant. The chef at this tiny gem is classically trained, food is delicious.
Healthy and delicious soups, salads and sandwiches. Quick and easy sit-down lunch.
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Nature's Grill & Juice Bar
566 E Main StHealthy and delicious soups, salads and sandwiches. Quick and easy sit-down lunch.
My fave burger chain, voted #1 Best Burger in America by USA Today. Onion rings are killer.
The Habit Burger Grill
487 E Thompson BlvdMy fave burger chain, voted #1 Best Burger in America by USA Today. Onion rings are killer.
Sightseeing
Beautiful spot for an easy hike, with the best views in Ventura
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Ventura Botanical Gardens
567 Poli StBeautiful spot for an easy hike, with the best views in Ventura
Mission San Buenaventura
211 E Main StA must see to get a true feel for historic Ventura.
Lovely spot to hike or run, trails are extensive so you can do a little or a lot. Catch breakfast, lunch or dinner after at The Farmer and the Cook (see listing.)
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Ventura River Preserve - Meyer Rd Trailhead
1290 Meyer RdLovely spot to hike or run, trails are extensive so you can do a little or a lot. Catch breakfast, lunch or dinner after at The Farmer and the Cook (see listing.)
Dedicated bike path that goes all the way to Ojai, it connects to the coastal bike path at Main St in downtown Ventura. Slightly uphill on the way there, easy coast downhill to home.
Ventura River Trail (Ojai Valley Trail Extension)
Ventura River Trail (Ojai Valley Trail Extension)Dedicated bike path that goes all the way to Ojai, it connects to the coastal bike path at Main St in downtown Ventura. Slightly uphill on the way there, easy coast downhill to home.
Easy, accessible hike with beautiful views of the Ojai Valley. You can turn it into a longer, more challenging hike by taking Fox Cyn or Lucy trails uphill, or take Gridley Trail to Nordhoff Peak.
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Shelf Road
Shelf RoadEasy, accessible hike with beautiful views of the Ojai Valley. You can turn it into a longer, more challenging hike by taking Fox Cyn or Lucy trails uphill, or take Gridley Trail to Nordhoff Peak.
Drinks & Nightlife
Newly opened, excellent micro brews and a super selection of food truck fare.
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Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E Thompson BlvdNewly opened, excellent micro brews and a super selection of food truck fare.
Dargans Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E Main StFun Irish pub with good bar food.
Like stepping into an episode of Mad Men if Mad Men were into dive bars. Great martinis, super retro vibe. Love this place.
Sportsman Restaurant
53 S California StLike stepping into an episode of Mad Men if Mad Men were into dive bars. Great martinis, super retro vibe. Love this place.
Entertainment & Activities
Lovely shaded park ringed with excellent running/hiking trails and several play areas.
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Arroyo Verde Park
Foothill RoadLovely shaded park ringed with excellent running/hiking trails and several play areas.
Fun climbing structure in the sand and right on the bike path. Kid-friendly tacos on the pier.
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Ventura Pier
750 E Harbor BlvdFun climbing structure in the sand and right on the bike path. Kid-friendly tacos on the pier.
I just love this spot for a walk, and for kids there are lots of climbing structures including a big pirate ship with a zip line.
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Marina Park
2950 Pierpont BlvdI just love this spot for a walk, and for kids there are lots of climbing structures including a big pirate ship with a zip line.
Kid-sized zoo with stunning views. It is just the right size for a morning or afternoon visit, beautifully landscaped, and there's a train to ride around the perimeter to take it all in.
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Santa Barbara Zoo station
Kid-sized zoo with stunning views. It is just the right size for a morning or afternoon visit, beautifully landscaped, and there's a train to ride around the perimeter to take it all in.
Only .5 miles from my house, this school is in a park with 2 great play areas, including a huge wooden Rainbow Bridge climbing structure.
Blanche Reynolds Elementary
450 Valmore AvenueOnly .5 miles from my house, this school is in a park with 2 great play areas, including a huge wooden Rainbow Bridge climbing structure.
Beautiful place to stop and play (or eat the ice cream you bought across the street) after strolling around downtown Ojai.
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Libby Park
210 S Signal StBeautiful place to stop and play (or eat the ice cream you bought across the street) after strolling around downtown Ojai.
There's a butterfly room! Plus walking trails and cool exhibits, would make a great day combined with a visit to the zoo.
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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del SolThere's a butterfly room! Plus walking trails and cool exhibits, would make a great day combined with a visit to the zoo.
Everything Else
Jai Rhythm Yoga
175 S Ventura AveLovely, light-filled studio, hot vinyasa with excellent instructors.
We are about a mile from both local hospitals, perfect for visiting docs, nurses and students.
Ventura County Medical Center
300 Hillmont AveWe are about a mile from both local hospitals, perfect for visiting docs, nurses and students.
We are about a mile from both local hospitals, perfect for visiting docs, nurses and students.
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Community Memorial Hospital
147 N Brent StWe are about a mile from both local hospitals, perfect for visiting docs, nurses and students.
Ventura Farmers' Market (Downtown)
East Main StreetSaturday's downtown Ventura.
Ojai Certified Farmers' Market
300 E Matilija StSundays. Love this one.
You'll love this place. Warmest people ever, beautiful small space, brilliant instructors.
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Arrow Heart Yoga
143 W El Roblar DrYou'll love this place. Warmest people ever, beautiful small space, brilliant instructors.
Essentials
Vons
6040 Telegraph RdEasy 1.5 block walk to groceries.
This is a gem: Syrian owned grocery store with an amazing middle eastern deli, extensive wine/beer selection, and a separate bar area with big screen TVs for watching the game.
Santa Cruz Market
1947 E Main StThis is a gem: Syrian owned grocery store with an amazing middle eastern deli, extensive wine/beer selection, and a separate bar area with big screen TVs for watching the game.
Trader Joe's
103 S Mills RdWhat would we do without TJs?
If you gotta shop at Whole Foods this one's brand new and nice.
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Whole Foods Market
650 Town Center DrIf you gotta shop at Whole Foods this one's brand new and nice.
Arts & Culture
Nearest movie theater, it's an easy drive and is modern and clean.
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Century 10 Downtown
555 E Main StNearest movie theater, it's an easy drive and is modern and clean.
Slightly farther than downtown Ventura, this is a brand new theater in a new outdoor shopping/dining mall.
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Century Riverpark 16 And XD
2766 Seaglass WaySlightly farther than downtown Ventura, this is a brand new theater in a new outdoor shopping/dining mall.