If you take right into a herd of early risers lining the Ventura Harbor, they’re probably intending to hop aboard hawaiian isle Packers boat for some people hang-time while using whales that pass right by Ventura. It’s not unusual to determine blues, fins, humpbacks, and orcas here, in addition to untold degrees of seals, dolphins, and also over two dozen other critters while they feed in the waters off the Channel Islands.
Since you’re up so early anyway, join ’em. Just witnessing the majesty of the whale breaching and swimming which consists of pod will not be something you’ll soon forget.
2. Hiking and camping on Santa Cruz Island…
Channel Islands National Park — right off the coast of Ventura — comprises of five islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Though they’re not too far from the mainland, the islands have experienced many years to be totally unique in their biodiversity and wildlife. An hour-long boat ride from Ventura will give you to Santa Cruz Island, where you can take a guided hike using a national park volunteer or set off on your own. Or both.
The bluff at Cavern Point gives an incredible view, and just below it you possibly can camp overnight in practically center of nowhere. Bring in your own gear and supplies — there aren\’t any services available, but who needs ‘em when you’ve got celebs and also the adorable island fox for company?
Note: Though this can be a national park, Island Packers runs the boats to and from the islands. To have here, you’ll really need to reserve a place when using excursion via the website.
3. …and kayaking to sea caves while you’re there
If you’re prepared to get a little elbow grease, you may (and must!) kayak round the Channel Islands’ sea caves. They’re as mysterious and beautiful as you’re picturing, yep, they usually don’t require pro skills to achieve.
There are guided excursions available, however, for a self-guided kayak tour, you’ll would like to stay with Santa Cruz Island. It\’s two popular spots for kayaking: Scorpion Anchorage, by using a sand and cobblestone beach, is ideal for beginners, with access to the many caves and coves that define this tropical isle. Prisoners Harbor has fewer visitors and access to coves for sea creature viewing, but it’s better for the more skillful.
Note: Island Packers can contain kayaks to your island, but a reservation should be used.
4. Hopping over a bike and cruising the coast
How’s this for ready-made adventure? Grab a motorcycle that you choose from the Ventura Bike Depot, and check out the coastal bike path at the west end of Main Street. You may not know it when you’re still around, although the seaside journey has begun. Soon you’ll go to where the Ventura River meets the Pacific, a gorgeous area that’s technically a wilderness park. Just about to happen is Surfers’ Point (a preferred surfing spot, photo opp, you-name-it opp) as well as Ventura promenade, that enable you to walk second step . the Ventura pier, and take five to identify dolphins and also other wildlife.
Turn around and investigate your whole city in every its glory before hopping back for your wheels and passing through San Buenaventura State Beach. Make sure to stop for some people oysters on the Jolly Oyster prior to the pedal back — a journey so nice you won’t mind defining it as twice.
5. Undertaking the interview process search for the best Mexican food this side with the border
Mexican food fuels Ventura, additionally, the Downtown/Ventura Avenue area is when aficionados within the cuisine plan to chow down. Instead of a pub crawl, look at this a grub crawl. Start at Corrales (the homemade hot sauce is killer), and then scarf down a monster breakfast burrito on Lalo’s patio. Afterward, drop by Ventura Avenue, aka the Avenue, the city’s original drag. You’ve barely begun.
Find the spot that the Avenue meets Main Street and head north to Johnny’s Mexican Food. This can be a place to stop for just a true Ventura original: the corn burrito. Grab a michelada (think Bloody Mary with beer in place of vodka) at Taqueria Tepatitlan, and admire the area art about the walls. Stick to it plan a stop at Ortiz Taco Time for off-the-charts carne asada, and complete on the top of a burrito or enchilada plate at Casa De Soria — locals align because of this place, this means you know it’s legit. You came hungry, right?
6. Fishing in the Ventura pier
Nothing brings on the nostalgia like grabbing an angling pole and still dropping to the pier, Lassie with you, using a bag brimming with sandwiches — or, you recognize, since you’re and not on a chapter of Andy Griffith, grab your family members, a cooler, and do like grandpa did, only 21st-century style over the Ventura pier. He’d be proud.
Stop in at Eric’s Tackle Shop on Thompson Boulevard or Ventura Sportfishing for the Ventura Harbor, grab your gear — you possibly can rent equipment — and book per day or simply overnight excursion over a chartered boat. Or even walk out and cast a line off of the pier, DIY-like. You’ve been saying you desired to detox for a time, right? This is often one of the better methods to apply it.
7. Scoping birds while using the Audubon Society
Ventura contains a Mediterranean climate, meaning the weather conditions rarely ventures into extremes in either direction — aka, it’s wonderful practically all some time. Birds know this and love it nearly the humans do, utilizing the Ventura River loosen up, nest, and preen for birding enthusiasts — or potential mates, whichever. In any event, whoever cares to get familiar with excursions hosted by the Ventura Audubon Society can reap the showy, feathery rewards.
The society runs frequent trips towards the Ventura area’s many natural habitats, like Camino Real Park — its barranca is used as being a corridor by migrating birds — additionally, the Settling Ponds, where ducks, grebes, and gulls call home.
8. Bringing the pup to Arroyo Verde Park
The 132-acre Arroyo Verde Park is very well-liked by dogs, at the very least from many of the bouncing tails and happy faces you’ll encounter here any every day. Their human counterparts don’t manage to choose to keep away, either, especially on weekends — bring your furry travel companion along to romp featuring a fellow canines, and don’t forget your jogging shoes to help you relax and take a tour of Ventura’s wild side. To the aspect the park are some popular trails that’ll call for within the city’s hillsides (which means that your exercises are competitive with Fido’s).
9. Surfing while using pros
Ventura has witnessed surfing superstars like Timmy Curran and Matt McCabe shred the waters off its coast, and a great deal of others have followed in their almost-literal wake. Whenever you can have a decent barrel roll and may also hang an entire ten similar to a pro, hit up Emma Wood State Beach; if you\’re not, donrrrt worry about it — try a lot more mellow waters at Mondos not very a distance.
Surfers’ Point, near downtown Ventura, is a well-liked destination for a catch a wave early, too. And if you’re inside it for your spectating, it’s an incredible destination for a watch surfers bobbing (or biffing) every day mist.
10. Having a thrift store safari along Main Street
Ventura occurs when to become for thrift store treasure hunters. Along Main Street, tucked between top-notch restaurants and fashion boutiques, you’ll find very good of ’em, all operated by nonprofits during the name of numerous charities. Explore the controlled chaos, don your safari hat, and obtain digging — next to the plate emblazoned by using a portrait of Santa Claus sits a stein with all your name about it. A bit unexpected part of Ventura to call your individual.
