A Local’s Guide to the Best of Ventura County
Whether you’re new in town or have lived here for years, the bucket list of places to try and things to do is neverending. So, where should we start?
From relaxing on the beach, to strolling through Downtown’s eclectic shops and figuring out which restaurants you’re going to try first - I’ve got you covered. No tourist traps here, either. Sometimes the best places are hole-in-the-walls, or a little off the beaten path. Take a look at everything Ventura County has to offer in my local guide below!
Family Fun
UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM - Moorpark
From hay rides and animal shows, to pumpkin patches and picking your own strawberries - Underwood Family Farm has plenty of fun things to do. Families are welcome to learn about life on a working farm, pet animals, and play on rides.
Ronald Reagan Library - Simi Valley
Perched atop a hill with sweeping views of the southland, the Reagan Library is one of our county’s most beautiful and unique destinations. Featuring over 125,00 sq. ft. of exhibits, visitors can explore Air Force 1, peruse rose gardens, and touch an actual piece of the Berlin Wall.
BOCCALI’S - OJAI
Nestled below the Topatopa mountains and Highway 150, discover a beloved mom and pop Italian restaurant that’s been popular for generations. Famous for their renowned strawberry shortcake, Boccali’s restaurant opens up into a beautiful outdoor dining space with corn hole, picnic tables, and sycamore trees.
GET OUTSIDE
wildwood park - Thousand Oaks
With 14 dog-friendly trails spanning over 17 miles, Wildwood has a variety of easy hikes and bike paths for people of all ages. Walk a loop to Paradise Falls and Lizard Rock, or ride bikes down an easy trail. During spring, the open space blooms with a colorful array of wildflowers.
RINCON BEACH - north ventura
Off the 101 at the southern end of Santa Barbara County is Rincon Point. Named Queen of the Coast, she is one of the greatest and most iconic surf breaks in the world. A beautiful beach cove with a family-friendly crowd, Rincon offers a front row seat to watch professional surfers on world-famous waves. Beachgoers can explore tide pools, take long walks on the sand, and soak up California’s beauty as the sun goes down.
CHANNEL ISLANDS national park - ventura
Twelve miles offshore, the Channel Islands attract adventurous day-trippers who can explore the world of the Chumash, walk the shores where European explorers landed, discover new tales from California's ranching history, and witness the remains of off-shore shipwrecks. From Anacapa’s sea caves to Santa Cruz’s island foxes, we still can’t believe this National Park is in our very own backyard!
a bite to eat
RUMFISH Y VINO - ventura
Our go-to spot for central american cuisine, Rumfish y Vino offers a relaxed atmosphere featuring warm indoor and outdoor seating. With a well-curated selection of wine and a menu filled with savory dishes, you can’t go wrong. Slightly tucked away from Main Street, but walking distance to everything Downtown has to offer, Rumfish y Vino feels like you’re finding a treasure hidden in plain sight.
PARADISE PANTRY - ventura
If you’ve shopped up and down Main Street enough to work up an appetite, Paradise Pantry is the perfect place to casually sit-down without sacrificing ambiance and flavor. A restaurant, cheese counter, and wine shop all-in-one, Paradise Pantry values quality ingredients and incorporates them into their dishes accordingly - from grass-fed organic burgers to house-made roasted garlic.
ALISON’S COUNTRY CAFE - ventura
A hole in the wall, Alison’s Cafe doesn’t get caught up in being too trendy. Instead, they have their own style: keeping things simple, family operated, and undeniably delicious. The first-come-first-serve crowd that waits outside every morning will tell you exactly that! Famous for their homemade biscuits, Alison’s Cafe is easily the best place to get breakfast in Ventura County.
SOMETHING EVENTFUL
FINDINGS MARKET - ventura
Live music, specialty food and drink vendors, crafts, and over 75 merchants take over South Oak Street in Downtown Ventura each year for the Findings Market summer and holiday street fair. With a laid-back atmosphere and impressive variety of unique handmade goods, visitors round out a few laps just to take it all in. Try a charcuterie cone, hop inside a VW Van transformed into a photo booth, make a candle, and meet new faces at this charming hometown event!
Camarillo Air SHOW - CAMARILLO
A 40-year-old tradition drawing over 24,000 attendees for the two-day event every August, the “Wings Over Camarillo” air show features a variety of planes both on the ground and in the sky. Visitors are able to participate in an array of activities, like helicopter rides, a World War II reenactment camp, robotic demonstrations and the chance to walk through different aircrafts.
GOAT YOGA - Newbury Park
Goat yoga? Need we say more? If you’re looking to try something new, and laugh so hard you nearly fall out of every pose, goat yoga at the CABRA Farmhouse in Newbury Park is something you need to try. With outdoor one-hour classes every Saturday morning, we can’t think of a better way to start the day.
