Hey Guys,

I've just found out that I'll be spending two weeks (July 6th-17th) in the Ventura/Oxnard area for work. Although I'll be busy during the middle of the day (9am-3:30pm) M-F, I'll have the evenings and weekends. It looks like most all of the hotels in the area are within my per diem. Suggestions for hotels? I'd like to have a nice place but possibly be walkable to downtown (is there a downtown??)

Also, I want to make the most out of my weekend so what should I see and do? I've been to LA before, so I wasn't planning to head south. I volunteer for a winery in Virginia, so I've heard there are some pretty good ones around there. Thoughts?

Finally, any good (preferably gay/gay friendly) bars/clubs nearby? There is a Mr. Amerikajin at home, so I'm not looking for anything too crazy but having a nice place for a drink or two would be enjoyable.

Thanks guys!

My familiarity with Ventura, California, isn't exactly the sharpest. But, I have spent a little time in the vicinity (some friends have a beach house in Oxnard, California).

Ventura does a have "downtown", though it's more of a pedestrian area with several shops (don't think strip malls) along Main Street; it's worth spending an afternoon exploring, IMO. Will you have a car? Trips to Ojai, California, and Santa Barbara, California, would be worth it. If you're really feeling adventurous, you could even take a boat ride out to the Channel Islands. And, of course, there's always the beach.

As far as gay bars go, well ... I don't really have a clue there. The only bar in the area I've visited is on the beach in Oxnard; and, it's about as far from a gay bar as I can imagine!

Thanks for the feedback! I will actually have a car the whole time. I had thought about Santa Barbara, but what is in Ojai?

I had also heard about channel islands...heres a stupid question...is there anything to do on the islands?

IMHO, you would be well-advised to basically spend all your free time in Santa Barbara (unless you want to go to the beach).

Ventura has great weather, but, it is basically a "no there, there" kinda place. Nice premium outlet mall though, if you are into shopping. Can also buy good strawberries from the farmers.

Santa Barbara is not far. Try the Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings in downtown and grab a coffee on State Street and watch the scene. Plenty of bars of all types.

Ventura and Oxnard are about 10 miles apart...
Oxnard essentially has no "downtown," while downtown Ventura is a few blocks of bistros, antique/thrift/book shops, and the Mission. I can't think of any hotel/motel fit to stay in that is within walking distance. I'd look for something near the beach...


Let's see, if you are interested in wineries, you might think of a weekend trip to Santa Barbara County. Solvang (CA's Danish colony) also might fit into such a trip, and if you are a foodie, bopper's suggestion of the Santa Barbara Saturday Farmer's Market is a great one...heck if you are REALLY ambitious, the early morning Sat. Fisherman's market or here are some other foodie ideas.

Camarillo Premium Outlets is just up the road the other way and might make for an interesting evening of shopping.

Ventura's singular gay bar is Paddy's, which is more of a community center than a wild hangout, and while Santa Barbara is "gay friendly" but doesn't have much of a reliable gay "scene" other than Sat. at the Wildcat Lounge.

As far as the Channel Islands, they are a National Park -

"Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was."

www.nps.gov/chis

There is not too much in Ojai other than the Ojai Valley Resort, a really nice upscale resort with some good restaurants - the drive is very pretty.

www.ojairesort.com

Depending on how far you want to drive, about a half hour north west of Santa Barbara is the Santa Ynez wine country. While not as well known as Napa and Sonoma, it is much less crowded and less commercialized. The best place to start is the small town of Los Olivos, where there are numerous wine tasting shops and small cafes.

Downtown Santa Barbara along State St is also worth a stop, with just about every type of small store, coffee shop, and restaurant you could imagine.

Thanks guys. I've heard that Solvang is pretty interesting. I'm supposed to make a reservation in the next day or two and it seems to be down to the Marriott v. Crowne Plaza. They both look pretty nice and are apparently w/in 'walking distance of downtown'. Any thoughts?

I suppose that depends how far you want to walk....

The Crowne Plaza is at the foot of California Street, and about 3-4 blocks south of Main Street and "downtown" (such as it is). By contrast, the Marriott is on the other end of San Buenaventura Beach, and about a mile and a half further from downtown east along 101...

Personally, I'd stay at the Crowne Plaza, which is both closer to downtown as well as being steps from both the beach and Ventura Pier. Try to get a ocean view room, so as to avoid both freeway and Amtrak noise.

Oh, and if you end up in Solvang, I would recommend taking in some live theater at PCPA-Theaterfest. (I'm biased, a few decades ago I did summer stock there...)

There are numerous good restaurants in the Solvang/Los Olivos area. My personal favorites are Cabernet Bistro in Solvang, Ballard Inn in Ballard, Brothers at Matthei Tavern in Los Olivos, and Trattoria Grappola in Santa Ynez.

The Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley area is where the movie "Sideways" was filmed and there are many small and large wineries in the area. My personal favorite is Kalyra. Fess Parker, Firestone, Gainey, etc. are in the area. The area tourist boards have driving tours and maps, or take a organized tour so you can enjoy the wineries without worrying about driving (or others who are driving the narrow roads after too much to drink).

Nojoqui (knock-wee) Falls is a few miles south of Solvang, an easy 15 minute hike from the parking lot. It should be flowing, although it dries up around June or July. If you're from an area with lots of falls, probably not worthwhile.

Even though the area is near the coast it can get VERY hot, so check the forecast.

If you like Greek food, The Greek at the Harbor in Ventura has good food and an outside patio with a great water view.

Ojai is a waste of time - skip it. Ventura County would love to kick them out and over into Santa Barbara County. It's a bunch of hippie kooks with too much time and money on their hands.

Ventura and Oxnard are bordering cities.

That wasn't my experience when I visited. There is also a very nice resort - the Ojai Valley Inn - with a couple of excellent restaurants - you don't need to be a guest to eat at either of them. It's also a very pretty drive up from the coast.

On second thought, maybe I'm just a hippie kook too.