This Beach Town Is California's Best-kept Secret, According to a Local—and It Has a Taco District and Easy Access to One of the State's Best National Parks

Travel + Leisure

4 days ago

Explore Channel Islands National Park, and hike to the Potato Harbor Overlook on Santa Cruz Island.
Spend the day in the ocean and watch the sunset at Mother's Beach.
Eat your way through Ventura's Taco District.
Book a night at the luxurious Zachari Dunes, California's only all-suite, beachfront resort.
Follow Ventura's Beer Trail and sample local craft beers.
Ventura has a nostalgic California vibe that makes it feel as if it were plucked out of an old surf movie.
Unlike other Southern California cities, visitors don't have to worry about making reservations weeks in advance or staying out of locals' way. It's the type of place where people run to the beach on their lunch break and neighbors stop and say hello to one another. Walking around the downtown area, you'll find hidden gem thrift stores and can enjoy the smell of fresh pastries wafting from local bakeries. Perhaps best of all? Ventura is less than two hours from Los Angeles.
'You'll find sandy feet in bars, surfboards strapped to the roof of cars, and dogs enjoying a beach walk. Ventura's more surf, suds, and sand. Less glitz and glamor,' says Julie Madsen, the communications and public relations manager at Visit Ventura, who has lived in the town her whole life. 'You don't have to pretend to be a certain type of person to blend in here in Ventura. You can just simply be and experience Ventura.'
Here's what to know before planning a trip to Ventura, California. A patio at Zachari Dunes.
Inspired by the ocean, Zachari Dunes is California's only all-suite, beachfront resort. Located in Oxnard, California, this pet-friendly hotel has a pool, fitness center, and three on-site restaurants. Spend the day riding by the water on a complimentary beach cruiser and be sure to grab dinner at Ox & Ocean.
Inn on the Beach is a boutique hotel where each room has a view of either the Pacific Ocean, Ventura Pier, or Channel Islands. The charming spaces are decorated with classic floral wallpaper, antique furniture, and built-in fireplaces. Inn on the Beach also has a continental breakfast, and it's easy to walk to local haunts like the Social Tap and Pierpont Tacos.
Hotel San Buena is a 32-room boutique property located in the middle of downtown Ventura. Built in 1928, the design here is decidedly retro, and the courtyard villas come with kitchenettes, oversized bathrooms, and balconies. Thanks to its prime location, guests can walk to many of Ventura's best restaurants and bars, or ride a complimentary bike to the beach. Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park.Channel Islands National Park is one of the least-visited national parks in the country—but that's really only due to its remote location. It's one of the most unique and biologically diverse national parks, and is affectionately known as the "Galapagos of North America." Santa Cruz Island is the most popular, and many visitors like to hike to Potato Harbor. You'll need food (there's none on the islands), sunscreen, and good hiking shoes.
The Ventura Botanical Gardens have more than just a few flowers. The 107-acre site sprawls across the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, and you can hike around while taking in 360-degree views of the coastline and peaks. The gardens largely focus on native plants, and its collection is used for scientific research and conservation efforts.
Ventura has so many beautiful beaches that it's hard to choose. Harbor Cove and Mother's Beach are known for their relaxed atmosphere with smaller waves. As for surf breaks, local wave enthusiasts favor Mondo's, C Street, and Emma Wood State Beach.
Locals love Ventura's 'Taco District,' a street that is covered in family-owned taquerias. You can hop down the street trying each restaurant's specialty dish, and then nurse your taco-induced food coma on the beach. Stop by El Asadero for their al pastor tacos, and experiment with chicken tikka masala tacos at Indian Rasoi. A table filled with dishes from Model Citizen.
Model Citizen is a neighborhood restaurant and cocktail bar that rotates between seasonal menus to highlight the unique flavors of California and the Mediterranean. They also have a great happy hour selection of small bites and affordable wines. The cocktails are creative (and strong), making it a perfect place to start a long night.
Rumfish y Vino is a gastropub that specializes in seafood and Central American-inspired dishes. The patio is perfectly sunny for brunch, and the palm trees are illuminated with gentle lighting for a romantic dinner. If you aren't taco-ed out, be sure to try the slow-braised pork belly tacos.
In Oxnard, Tierra Sur expertly pairs bold dishes with an extensive wine list. Their team of chefs uses seasonal ingredients from local growers to create fresh dishes like the salmon served with a pico de gallo made from strawberries, kiwis, and avocados.
Enjoy artisan cheese platters, fresh salads, pizza, and pastries at Barrel 33, Ventura's favorite wine bar. The fireplaces in the outdoor patio are perfect for a date night in Ventura. This is one of the few restaurants in Ventura that requires a reservation, so be sure to book ahead. A lifeguard tower on a Ventura beach.
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The greatest thing about Southern California? The weather is warm and welcoming year-round. On average, Ventura enjoys 273 sunny days per year and an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Even during the coldest times of year, the temperature rarely drops below 50 degrees.
Visit between mid-July to early September for long sunny days that are perfect for days by the water. In spring, the wildflowers bloom and bring the Channel Islands and Ventura Botanical Gardens to life. And fall and winter are considered the best times for surfing in Ventura, thanks to the Pacific swells.
'As a local, my favorite time of the year is fall,' says Medina. 'The sunsets are jaw-dropping, and it still feels like summer even in October. You can still sit outside for dinner and head to the beach for a spontaneous sunset picnic or beach walk.'
The closest major airports include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). You'll probably find more flight options and cheaper fares out of LAX, which is about 70 miles (or an hour-and-a-half drive) from Ventura.
For those who prefer not to drive, Ventura is conveniently located on the scenic Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, and the train station is located in the heart of downtown Ventura. Historical landmark houses in Heritage Square of Oxnard, California.Nearby Oxnard is in the southern part of the county, about 11 miles from Ventura. Have a picnic at Olołkoy Beach Park, a scenic, 60-acre park. Or spend the day at Point Mugu State Park where you can go mountain biking, scuba diving, hiking, or windsurfing.
Downtown Ventura is full of restaurants, boutiques, and also has a vibrant cocktail scene. This is considered to be the heart and soul of Ventura County, so be sure to spend a day scoping out the area and meeting the locals. The downtown is incredibly walkable, and is just a few blocks from the beach.
From paddle boats to escape rooms to wine tasting, there is much to do at the Ventura Harbor Village. Check out the Ventura Harbor Village's calendar for events like live music, movie nights, and even an annual puppy parade.
The East end of Ventura is what locals call 'the wine and beer lover's dream.' In this area, you'll find multiple taprooms within walking distance of each other. If you're interested in a beer crawl, start at Seaward Brewing before proceeding to Bright Spark Brewing and Balcom Canyon Cider, which are just a few blocks away. A busy street in downtown Ventura, California.
The most convenient way to get around Ventura is by car, and most parking is free in the city. Having a car will make it easy to get to local hikes and sights, and to transport camping gear. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are available in the area, but you may have trouble catching a ride since Ventura is a small town. Ventura also has a public transportation system with local lines, as well as routes that connect to nearby towns such as Ojai, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme. Downtown Ventura is also very walkable. There are also local bike shops like Ventura Bike Depot or Wheel Fun Rentals that have rentals.