Heading South
Explore Ventura’s flourishing surfing, arts, and culinary scenes
Main Street serves as the bustling hub of downtown Ventura, home to an eclectic mix of vintage shops, theaters, art galleries, and restaurants.
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photographs by Jessica Sample
Nestled between Carpinteria and Malibu, Ventura is a laid-back surf town known for its unpretentious vibe and small-town feel. Once a sleepy coastal enclave, it has recently evolved into a vibrant destination with an influx of inviting restaurants, unique boutiques, and artsy neighborhoods that enhance its creative, community-driven spirit.
Frontside Cafe offers a relaxed setting for breakfast and lunch.
Breakfast is a must at FRONTSIDE CAFE, located just a short walk from the beach. Here, husband-and-wife duo Joel and Charne Huff blend the flavors of her native Australia with his deep Ventura County roots. “After our last visit to Australia, we were inspired to bring the Australia café–coffee scene back to California,” says Charne. “We wanted to offer a place where the community could get an upscale coffee and a great breakfast or lunch made with local ingredients.” The chic, minimalist space is bright and airy, with a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a postsurf coffee and bite. The food menu, although selective, showcases a delightful fusion of Australian and Californian cuisine, including favorites like the Full Aussie Breakfast with eggs, bacon, and smashed potatoes, and the Smashed Avocado Toast, piled high with avocado, pickled veggies, and dukkah. 1070 E. Front St., Ventura, frontsidecafe.com
“Ventura’s cultural appeal is undeniable, but a visit wouldn’t be complete without a visit downtown.”
A short distance away along the coastline, the VENTURA PIER AND PROMENADE provides an excellent spot for taking a leisurely morning stroll and watching surfers. Surfing is ingrained in Ventura’s identity, and the number of surfers in the water on any given day proves the city’s surf culture is alive and well. A great place to catch some of the action is C Street, an area beyond the Ventura Pier at California Street; this spot is known for having one of the highest numbers of surfable days on the West Coast. This popular surf site becomes particularly lively during September’s annual C Street Classic, a celebrated surf-and-skate contest—now in its 38th year—that draws talented up-and-comers as well as water legends. cstreetclassic.com
Nearby, between Surfers’ Point and the Ventura Amtrak Station, the VENTURA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS is a versatile venue for entertainment and cultural festivities throughout the year, and it’s especially bustling during the summer months. From June 28 to 30, the fairgrounds will welcome the X Games (xgames.com), bringing world-class athletes and extreme sports pros to showcase their skills in skateboarding, BMX biking, and Moto X. From July 31 to August 11, the annual Ventura County Fair (venturacountyfair.org) returns, captivating people of all ages with its array of games, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, and rodeo events.
Ventura’s coastal appeal is undeniable, but a visit wouldn’t be complete without exploring Main Street downtown. Lined with architectural gems that house everything from vintage shops and eclectic art galleries to chic bars and eateries, this pedestrian-friendly district is a vibrant community hub.
owner Thom Hill
After founding the Ventura-based lifestyle brand Iron & Resin, Thom Hill brought his passion for adventure and well-crafted goods to Main Street with the opening of THE IRON & RESIN GARAGE in 2012. Located in a century-old building with exposed brick and a roll-up garage door, the store offers a collection of goods that reflect Hill’s lifestyle and experiences, including durable outerwear and an eclectic mix of goods, like knives, books, camping gear, and barware. “Iron & Resin is really a mash-up of all the things I’m into,” says Hill. “I believe in owning fewer quality items that last a lifetime, and that’s the philosophy I hope this store embodies.” 324 E. Main St., Ventura, ironandresin.com
Discover thoughtful treasures from local artisans and independent designers at FINDINGS MARKET, a retail destination for women, men, and kids. Inside, you’ll find Ventura’s only candle bar, DUSK, which offers a collection of hand-dipped candles, crystals, handmade jewelry, and fully customizable glass candles that are poured to order. Also downtown is the newly opened FINDINGS FLEA, which is redefining the antique shopping experience. Housed in a 1907 brick building with exposed beams, this modern antique collective showcases unusual wares and vintage finds curated by more than a dozen collectors from along the California coast. Rotating events, vintage markets, and food pop-ups on the large outdoor patio enhance its community-centric essence. 27 S. Oak St., Ventura; 33 S. Palm St., Ventura, findingsmarket.com; @Findingsflea
Rumfish y Vino’s Creole Sea Bass paired with an orange-and-jalapeño margarita.
Not far away, RUMFISH Y VINO provides a delicious respite from the bustle of shopping. After finding success with the original Rumfish y Vino in Belize, in 2016 Pamela and John Solomon opened their second location in downtown Ventura, just off Main Street. “When we opened Rumfish in Belize in 2008, we infused it with a little SoCal flair. This time, we’ve brought a touch of Belize to SoCal,” Pamela says. “We like to say it offers vacation vibes, no passport required.” True to their word, the space exudes a relaxed, carefree atmosphere, and the lunch, dinner, and beverage menus lean heavily into the seafood and tropical themes—think Caribbean fish stew, fish tacos, conch fritters, rum punch, and a best-selling orange-and-jalapeño-infused margarita. 34 N. Palm St., Ventura, rumfishyvinoventura.com
If Korean street food is more your speed for lunch, head across town to MATNA 1631, situated within the Victoria Village Shopping Center. Although it’s new to Ventura’s dining scene, the casual counter-service restaurant has already turned heads for its Korean-style ramen, kimbap, and fried chicken—all made in house. 1435 S. Victoria Ave., Ste. E, Ventura, matna1631.com
Back downtown, a half mile off Main Street, is BELL ARTS FACTORY. Established in 2006, this nonprofit, community-based arts center is a beacon of culture and creativity, providing a supportive space for local and multicultural artists to flourish. In addition to rotating art exhibitions and First Friday art shows, Bell Arts Factory hosts a diverse range of activities, including youth art classes, Aztec dance, artist-led workshops, and yoga classes. 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, bellartsfactory.org
Next door, INDOEK seamlessly integrates Ventura’s rich artistic pursuits with its iconic surf culture. This chic gallery showcases coastal-inspired art, books, and other merchandise, along with a curated lineup of programming and events aimed at elevating the traditional aesthetic of the surfing lifestyle. 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, indoek.com
After exploring Ventura’s diverse boutiques and galleries, recharge with dinner and drinks downtown. Kick off the evening with happy hour at MODEL CITIZEN. Situated inside a century-old building, the space highlights a casually cool, minimalist design featuring white-oak booths, rose-gold mirrors, and eye-catching curves. “We really wanted Model Citizen to be reminiscent of one’s favorite neighborhood restaurant/bistro in any respective larger city but with a focus on the amazing seasonal produce available, almost literally, in our backyard here in Ventura,” says Derek Ulrich, who co-owns Model Citizen and Prospect Coffee Roasters with his brother, Blake. Although the food menu changes frequently, staple dishes include the Ricotta Fritters—a happy hour hit—and dinner favorites such as the Roasted Rainbow Carrots with labneh, brown butter, and Ojai Pixies, and the Yellowtail Crudo topped with preserved lemon, pistachios, capers, and chiles. 70 S. Oak St., Ventura, modelcitizenvta.com
The interior of Bank of Italy Cocktail Trust, the historic building on Main Street.
Italian cocktails are the specialty at BANK OF ITALY COCKTAIL TRUST, from Good Lion Hospitality. Located inside the Bank of Italy building, the venue features a French-Italian Art Deco design that creates a sophisticated ambiance, and the cocktails draw inspiration from the Central Coast and the coastal regions of central and southern Italy. Complementing the diverse beverage list is a food menu of Asian-inspired offerings by Sama Sama Kitchen. “Asian food is not the first thing folks think of in accompanying Italian-style cocktails, but it works surprisingly well,” says Brandon Ristaino, who co-owns the bar with his wife, Misty Orman Ristaino. “The high acid, pleasant bitterness, carbonation, and complexity of the Bank cocktails trade at an equal or contrasting volume to the food offerings.” 394 E. Main St., Ste. A, Ventura, bankofitalycocktails.com
The innovative Ristainos also own STRANGE BEAST next door, a contemporary cocktail Izakaya named after the mythical creatures of Japanese folklore, known as kaiju. “Inspired by the drinking dens of Tokyo,” explains Orman Ristaino, the space features a dark, moody ambiance, offset by pops of color and a striking wall of graphic pop art. The popular late-night spot offers an eclectic menu of punchy cocktails, sake, and shareable small plates like hand rolls and wings, crafted by the culinary team at Sama Sama Kitchen. Later this summer, the couple plan to broaden their creative ventures in Ventura with the debut of JAGUAR MOON, a tequila and mezcal bar developed in collaboration with Chef Ramon Velazquez of Santa Barbara’s Corazon Cocina. 394 E. Main St., Ste. B, Ventura, strangebeastbar.com
Also enhancing Ventura’s late-night scene is THE MAJESTIC VENTURA THEATER, which stands as a prominent fixture in the heart of downtown. Built in the 1920s and featuring the era’s popular Mission-style architecture, this lively concert venue hosts an eclectic lineup of musical performers spanning all genres of music, from punk and reggae to jazz and classic rock. Directly across the street, THE SEWER–SANS SOUCI, a divey cocktail lounge, is an ideal place to unwind with a postshow nightcap, enjoyed alongside more live music or karaoke. 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, venturatheater.net; 21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, @sanssouci_vta
When it’s time to call it a night, the HOTEL SAN BUENA is conveniently located just a short stroll away. This 32-room boutique hotel, originally built in 1928 in a Spanish Revival style, beautifully marries historic charm with modern conveniences, featuring well-appointed rooms and suites and scenic city and ocean views. 11 S. Ash St., Ventura, hotelsanbuena.com
Regardless of how you spend your time in Ventura, no doubt you will leave with a newfound appreciation for its down-to-earth atmosphere, creative authenticity, and community spirit. “The laid-back vibe and hometown feel set Ventura apart from the beach towns south of us,” says Hill.
Adds Orman Ristaino, “Ventura is a really cool place, with vibrancy, diversity, energy, and natural beauty. But most noticeable is that folks here are really passionate about their community. It’s the people that make Ventura so special.”
