Day Trip: 8 fun things to do in Ventura, California

About 70 miles up the coast from downtown Los Angeles and easily accessible by car or train, Ventura offers spectacular sunsets, great surfing and hiking, vintage and trendy shops, casual dining, and a vibrant arts and music scene.

The usually laid-back beach town hosted the X Games finals in June, drawing tens of thousands of extreme-sports fans. The crowds have since left, but the ways to savor Ventura—including its downtown Main Street that’s closed to car traffic through 2024—are plentiful and year-round.

The Ventura Harbor, home to the Channel Islands National Park Visitors Center, is a gateway to exploring the islands’ exceptional biodiversity.

Pasta for breakfast? Yes, please! Family-owned Immigrant Son Caffé uses Italian recipes passed down from father to son. Start your day with a flight of bacon, followed by breakfast lasagna or Cousin Michael’s Morning Carbonara, which is served in a bread bowl made with flour imported from Italy.

Stroll through the 107-acre Ventura Botanical Gardens, whose 3.5 miles of (at times steep) walkways wind through 5 Mediterranean climate zones. It features a 130-tree olive grove, old-growth eucalyptus trees, rare and endangered plants, and art sculptures. Take in views of the Channel Islands, the coastline, and, on a clear day, Topatopa Peak in Ojai. Adults, $7.

Stop for an authentic Mexican lunch at Beach House Tacos on the Ventura Pier. Dig into a Marilu taco, Baja taco, or street taco while gazing out at the expansive Pacific Ocean. Kids can burn off energy at the adjacent Ventura Promenade Beach Playground.

Grab your bike (or rent one from Wheel Fun Rentals next to the pier) and set out on the Ventura Promenade. Take this flat, paved beachside path west about half a mile to Surfers Point, or head east for a 2.5-mile round-trip excursion to San Buenaventura State Beach.

Learn about the area’s rich history by taking a self-guided tour of the Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, founded in 1782 by Junípero Serra. The grounds include a museum (featuring displays of Chumash artifacts and Mission-era items), a garden and grotto, the Mission Basilica Church, and a Vatican-licensed marble cast of Michelangelo’s Pietà. Adults, $5.

Head to Rocks & Drams downtown for a swanky happy hour. The crystal chandeliers, velvet couches, and brass accents are the perfect setting for sipping one of the bar’s captivating cocktails. A block west, you’ll find the contemporary, neon-lit Strange Beast, which serves Japanese tapas, cocktails, and sake.

Wander over to Bellringer Brew Co. for locally sourced comfort food and award-winning beers made in town. Around the corner is Model Citizen, downtown’s newest dining addition. Although the decor is minimalistic, the menu is not: You’ll find twists on classic cocktails and coastal dishes made with regional ingredients.

Catch acts ranging from Henry Rollins to Parliament-Funkadelic at the new Ventura Music Hall. Dine on barbecue at the on-site restaurant, Ruff House BBQ, and grab a drink at one of several bars located throughout the venue.

Confirm hours and availability of businesses, attractions, and events before you visit.

Be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol.