Dining and Shopping in Ventura, California
Ventura, California is one of our favorite spots. Overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor to the north, Santa Barbara, Ventura is fun and funky -- a beach town in the classic tradition.The city, whose official name is San Buenaventura, was named for the mission founded here in 1782. There's a movement to revert to the original name, and these days, you'll often see the historic town center referred to as San Buenaventura.
But whatever you call it, Ventura has a lot to offer. The main drag, aptly named Main Street, runs parallel to the Pacific, so you can see the ocean from every corner. Shoppers with a thing for vintage can spend a whole day browsing the junk stores, used book shops, and antique malls. If previously owned isn't your thing, there are several great shops for house- and kitchen-wares.
On Saturday mornings, there's a lively produce market at the corner of Santa Clara and Palm. Bring a cooler for your veggies so they won't wilt while you go to lunch -- because dining is a big part of Ventura's appeal. Café Fiori, on California Street offer rustic Italian cooking in a farmhouse setting. Its spa menu offers delectable, guilt-free entrees like grilled salmon served over a tabouli-like whole wheat barley salad.
At the corner of California and Main, Café Bariloche has Argentine specialties like Chicken al Chimichurri, empanadas, and Choripan, the traditional Argentine sausage. South of California on Main, Dargan's Irish Pub has the best fish and chips in town. Wash them down with a fresh pint of the black stuff.
Save room for an Italian-style gelato from Palermo, north of California on Main. Then work off the calories with a long beach walk. You can hit the sand or stroll the lpier or ong, ocean-front promenade.
