Nestled between the Los Padres National Forest, and the coastal portion of California's central region is Ventura. Once a sleepy seaside town, this area is escalating rapidly to attract well-heeled foodies, shrewd shoppers and avid adventurers. With restaurants that rival those in Los Angeles, and a thriving Main St., Ventura offers amenities that provide a plethora of experience bound to appeal to any type of traveler.

From the Valley, Ventura is easily one hour away, depending on the traffic. Amtrak regularly makes Ventura a regular stop, for those wanting a relaxing visual without the highway distractions.

If food is your passion, a dinner at 71 Palm is a must. This landmark French Country restaurant was initially built as a Craftsman home in 1910, and converted into a restaurant in 1997. The restaurant also caters to special occasions, even offering cooking classes for food aficionados.

Across the street from 71 Palm, is the festive Tutti's, a colorful collection of culinary variety in an eclectic atmosphere. Formerly housed in Santa Barbara, this delightful restaurant moved to Ventura several years ago, expanding upon the dining options that are permeating the area.

Wine bars punctuate every block in the downtown area, with Weaver Wines offering a broad sampling of wines from around the world. There is also a wide variety of wine related gifts for those inclined on relishing their experience.

Bargain hunting? A walking trip down Main St. will provide numerous antique and thrift stores to sample, all with ample offerings, even for the discriminating shopper. Our group descended on these stores like a herd of locusts, with each of us quickly burdened with several packages to pack into our SUV. Bring cash, as the lines in many of these places are very long, and the cash lines can get you out faster and onto the next store.

The Channel Islands is an under served coastal adventure, but well-worth the trek. Island Packers gets you there in about an hour, making varying stops to adjacent islands along the way. When the weather permits, you can kayak through the sea caves to witness a cornucopia of marine life. However, the water temperatures rarely venture above the 70's, so a wet suit might be in order if you have a reptilian constitution. There are many camping and hiking options as well, which allow you to investigate the interior of the islands.

Hotel options are plentiful. The Crown Plaza, an expansive property adjacent to the Ventura Pier, offers a panoramic view of the ocean. Those wanting a more enticing decor are best directed to the Ventura Mariott, whose colorful amenities will dazzle the senses.


For more information:
www.ventura-usa.com


Mary McGrath is a freelance writer and photographer whose work appears in several magazines, newspapers, books and on numerous web sites. Some of these include: Newsweek.com, MSNBC.com, Rangefinder Magazine,
Good Housekeeping, The National Lampoon, Petersen's Photographic, and Copley Newspapers.

www.marymcgrathphotography.com