Ending our weekend getaway, we took a stroll down Main Street in Downtown Ventura to do a little…read moreshopping. On a Sunday most stores open at 11am. So, it's best to grab brunch or visit nearby sites like Serra Cross or the Ventura Pier before you shop. There are free parking lots in the area, but by the time we headed over around 11:30 am, all the free spots were taken, so we used the metered parking which was pretty reasonable. Mission San Buenaventura is located on Main Street and offers services. The church is beautiful and Sunday service was very well attended. You'll also find many thrift and antique stores with reasonable prices. I loved that Main Street included a variety of stores and restaurants without including the cheesy and touristy gift shops. We had an enjoyable lunch at Immigrant Son caffe, purchased some sodas at a really cool candy store called Rocket Fizz and visited Very Ventura, a gift shop with a nice collection of Ventura related gifts. I purchased some stickers for my Yeti and a hat.

The weekend is a great time to visit DT Ventura. Main street is blocked off from…read moreVehicle traffic letting pedestrians and pets stroll through the shops and pop up vendors carefree. There is a small stage in the center of downtown with live music. We had a great time exploring the area. There are a lot of thrift stores and even more places to eat lol. There are multiple free public parking lots so it might be a little hunt for a spot but it's free all day. Great place to spend a day or evening.

Oh gosh! I cannot believe I haven't written a review! I really like this hike. It's not too hard…read more There's a bit of an incline going up but you'll survive! The view once you get to the top , where the cross is ... absolutely gorgeous!

Beautiful park with incredible views!! One of our favorite places! There's hiking trails and picnic…read moretables spread out near the grass, cross and off road sides... we bring our dog (on leash) he loves it too!

I walked alongside the front of San Buenaventura City Hall recently. I enjoyed my visit. The…read morebuilding has beautiful architecture. There are some great landscape views from it. I would recommend taking precaution when venturing to or from the city hall on foot as there are some steep streets surrounding it.

This is a premier building in downtown Ventura, with Father Serra statue front and center in the…read moregardens below the building. Check out the friars' faces, all different, festooned below the roofline. This building is a classic, resisted being torn down in the 60s- if it is old tear it down and build a box- mentality. City offices are located inside, and strolling the lovely hallways is recommended. Parking is available in a side lot. Access to Grant Park above is via the narrow roadway on the left of the building. Even better, ample parking for the botanical garden trails is directly behind the building.

I viewed the Ortega Adobe from the sidewalk recently. It was closed at the time. It definitely…read morelooks like a relic from the past. I'm glad it is still around.

Heads up to local seniors who may want to build up their aerobic fitness in the foothills above…read moreVentura Harbor with a perfectly maintained path, gentle rise, and fabulous scenery. For a $45/year membership you can train all year on a 2.5 mile loop through the plants native to Chili, South Africa, Mediterranean, Australia and CA with blooms that change through the seasons. There's no gym that can provide the meditative immersion in nature that the botanical garden gives you. The path's surface is amenable to walkers. There's only an outhouse -so that may be a problem. Coming from out of town? Got children? Perfect place to take them for breathtaking views of the harbor, fun exhibits (like the one on hummingbirds going on now) and a place to eat your bagged lunch. Kids under 18 free. Adults $7 without a membership.

Happy Earth Day to my fellow tree huggers. In honor of the occasion, I'd like to share one of my…read morerecent faves - a gem of a botanical garden that's hidden in the heart of downtown Ventura. When driving up the 101 from LA to the Bay Area, I love to make a pit stop in Ventura. It's the perfect place to stretch your legs out. And if you're looking for a little more to get your heart rate up, Ventura Botanical Gardens offers a lovely stroll-style hike to unwind from the one-hour-plus drive. The grounds are a mix of tiered levels, winding walkways, and lots of exotic plants. There are stretches of shaded areas, but SPF/hats are advised as it's still exposed to the seaside sun & haze. There are quotes carved in stones along the pathway that are nice to read. And when you get to the top, you get sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Time it right, and you can watch the sun dip into the sea. Admission is very reasonable. $7/person and FREE on Fridays. Feel free to bring your dog on a leash on Fridays too. I went on a random Tuesday and arrived at 9:15am, close to opening time. There was lots of free parking near the entrance. That's also where the cutest little gift shop greets all guests. Here, you'll find lots of charming gifts & knick-knacks & small plants to take home too. For those who prefer to lend a hand and yank out the Mustardweed to save the natives, then Tuesdays are a good volunteer day Note: The bathrooms take a little bit of patience. They're built on a septic tank system so just try to follow instructions if you see them posted. According to some intel, permanent bathrooms are in the city's near-future plans. Also note that they are CLOSED on Mondays. So take in all that natural beauty, breathe out all that stress. And make sure you've roamed the gardens enough to work up an appetite. Downtown Main Street is nearby and there's a strip of charming diners, cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops. For the true eco-conscious tree hugger, you'll find stores with handcrafted souvenirs, artisan plant trinkets, and even vintage/used books just about any day of the week. After all, every day is Earth Day, right?

My daughter Saja had a wonderful time It was an experience…read moreof a lifetime It is safe, fun and a unique experience She learned so much and got to see beautiful places and to be close to nature I highly recommend it

My daughter sofia had a wonderful trip to hawaii with wild traveler when she was 14. two years…read morelater she still talks about it and thinks of hawaii as the greatest place. we recently moved to hong kong from new york and to convince her to come here i told her it was similar to hawaii. ryan was great and very responsive and helpful to resolve any doubts or questions. he's a pro.

We stumbled upon Mission Basilica San Buenaventura by chance and didn't even realize it was right…read morein downtown Ventura! Unfortunately, we didn't have time to see the whole place, but we did get to step inside the church, and it was absolutely beautiful -- peaceful, historic, and full of charm. We're definitely planning to come back to tour the entire mission next time. A lovely hidden gem in the heart of Ventura!

First time actually checking out VTA properly and had to make a stop at the Mission, which is…read moreprobably the most OG thing in the city. It is a bit whitewashed (real talk: The Chumash were not as happy as portrayed) but regardless, it is a part of California history, and I respect that. I visit cathedrals/churches/missions whenever I travel internationally (Mexico, China, and Italy already this year), and would place the historical significance of the Missions near the top of any global list. $8 at the door, and worth it, if for nothing else, the peacefulness and tranquility...

I've been to this adobe historical park and venue a few times over the last few years…read more The grounds are clean and spacious with plenty of guest parking. They have their own parking lot and also have about a good 20 spaces right in front of the historical house area. I've been here over the years for concerts and more recently an event. This is a great lowkey space for events and I particularly like when they hold the regular concert series here in the spring and summer. Once inside the Adobe house area, it isn't too big but can be spacious enough for a couple hundred people . There are public restrooms near the front entrance and otherwise it's an open courtyard where the event promoters bring their own tables, chairs, and decor. Every time I've come here there has been sporadic seating and food/drink vendors, depending on the event. I like this venue as it's not too far from the freeway and close by the harbor for some pre-post meals.

Absolutely love this place, but my boyfriend and i decided to come last minute on a tour and a…read morewoman working informed us that they didn't take apple pay. No issues with that, but we told her we would be right back with cash and when we went back we waited for about 30 minutes while she talked to another worker. We ended up leaving and never received the tour, super disappointing.

I came here for an event today so really my review is tailored more towards the events that Casa is…read moreholding but also to acknowledge the fabulous grounds and building though I admit I don't have full context for the history or background. I would definitely come back here to learn about the house and to take the guided tour. This wasn't the purpose for me coming today but the gentleman who works here noted that it's a great tour and I know friends who have enjoyed learning about the family and the history of the house, getting a deeper dive of information. I came here with some friends for their first hosted event Sound Bath. A wellness day if you will. From start to finish everything was very organized and thoughtful. The staff hosting the event and the spiritual wellness guide and sound healer was wonderful. Everyone was nice and you felt welcomed. Not pretentious and just very positive and good vibes. We had a nice group and everyone was respectful and on time for the sound bath so it went off without issue. It was a relaxing experience and the grounds were very nice to hold this outdoor event. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, we found an area with shade, very nice. Very faint sounds of cars in the distance here and there which wasn't ideal but out of their control and once things settled in you really couldn't hear much external noise. After the relaxing sound bath we were offered tea and light pastry snacks. I opted for a water and began exploring the grounds instead of partaking in the refreshments. The grounds are lush and lovely, very zen. Loved the beautiful trees and walkways with small fountains and running water. It was green and pretty all around from the recent rains. Definitely a great location for events and to learn a little SB history. I will definitely do my research and come back again soon.

Yikes, this is an expensive tour but it is a rarity to see a period house with most of the original…read moreoccupants furnishings etc. The tours are docent led and very informative. If you like these types of tours, this one is quite worth it.