Ventura, California
Photo: Visit Ventura
An Authentic American Surf Town.
Lat. 34.27834 | Long. -119.29317
Ventura County
~ SURFER’S EDITION ~
California Street — better known locally as C Street — may be Ventura’s signature surf spot; a peeling point break that, when the waves are good, rivals some of the best surf spots in the world.
Beach Boys Fun Fact: Only one (Dennis) of the Wilson brothers was a real surfer.
Ellie Smith, Editor’s daughter, waxing a Robert August longboard.
“C” Street & South Jetty
Raw Film By: Micheal Moore
San Buenaventura.
Mission San Buenaventura in 1839
Ventura has been inhabited by different peoples, including the Chumash Native Americans, for at least 10,000 years. With the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1782, Mission San Buenaventura was established by Junípero Serra, giving the city its name. Learn More.
Iron & Resin
Quality Built Provisions
Editor’s Choice:
Born in a small, Southern California, blue-collar beach town, graced with world class point breaks and seaside racetracks, where ghosts of a once towering oil industry still linger in the shadows... Shop.
Best Surf Spots
Ventura’s Best Surf Beaches
Carburetors & Coffee
Iron & Resin
Moving north into the shadow of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the coves and boulder-dotted beaches here do well to draw in any W and SW swells. That means the surfing in Ventura is reliable – like seriously reliable. What’s more, you’ve got all sorts of breaks to pick from, whether you’re looking for sheltered beach breaks or a day on the gnarly point at Rincon, one of Cali’s top spots. Read More.
Ventura Surf Shop
Ventura Surf shop was started in the early sixties by Tom Hale. Tom had been building boards with V.I.P., Ventura International Plastics in the late fifties. VIP was owned by Bill Fisher with the shop located on Olive Street. The shop sold fiberglass, cloth, resin & laminated surfboards. VIP went on to a new factory on Callens Rd. where they produced boards "Pop Outs" (production boards) Ten Toes, Shark, Tiki and the Duke Kahanamoky boards. Read History.
88 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, Ca
805-643-1062
The light changed and both cars drove on. As another red light brought us to a stop in downtown Ventura, Chuck pulled up next to us, swung his car door open, jumped out, proceeded to shake a full jar of mustard onto our windshield, then jumped back into his car. READ MORE.
The Surfer’s Journal
The Best Coffee In Town!
A relaxing and inclusive environment where surf meets sand. Providing a rotating seasonal menu, curated to promote locally sourced food and beverages offered from Ventura and Ojai to Santa Barbara. A comfortable gathering place supporting community arts and entertainment where patrons can enjoy, relax, and recharge against the backdrop of beautiful Surfer’s Point.
204 East Thompson Boulevard, Ventura, California 93001
(805) 667-8000
Best Cheap Surfer Stays…
Because You’re Here To Surf, Not Sit By The Pool. | Click The Pic To Visit.
Surfing in Ventura was thrust into the limelight back in the 1960s by the Beach Boys. Since then it’s been a major point of wavecraft pilgrimage. That’s mainly down to aforementioned Rincon, but don’t discount the state beaches to the south of town, which have some epic right-hand points and good sandbar breaks alike. Easy access to most spots from the 101, too. That’s a bonus. Read More.
Surfer on Acid
Serving the Surfer on Acid over ice helps to tame the sweet and herbal flavors, and it produces a lengthier, more sessionable cocktail. The Jägermeister provides plenty of oomph, along with a mildly bitter backbone, while the classic duo of coconut rum and pineapple juice lends fruity sweetness. Using fresh pineapple juice—or the best bottled juice you can find—will add brightness and acidity to the drink, helping to keep the flavors balanced.
The tall, cold cocktail brings ultimate refreshment on a warm day, whether you’re surfing in California or sitting at your favorite bar.
Ingredients
1 ounce Jägermeister
1 ounce coconut rum
1 ounce pineapple juice
Garnish: pineapple wedge
Steps
Add the Jägermeister, coconut rum and pineapple juice into a shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Ventiki
Step foot onto the Lanai patio where you can feel the warmth of the islands with a tiki waterfall, wahine muraled flower garden, tiki torches, and a fire pit for those chilly island nights. The lounge plays island music, surf tunes, lounge music, and even exotica. They invite you to take a seat and order your favorite, awesome drinks.
701 E Main St Ventura, CA 93001
805-667-8887
VOTED BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE IN VENTURA COUNTY!
Showcasing local and touring bands and performers since 1985, with 2 stages, two listening rooms and 2 dance floors.
143 South California Street, Ventura, California 93001
(805) 643-4404
Surfer Magazine
Photos: Venturaahhh
While you were having a normal Tuesday, this Ventura beachbreak decided to have its best day of the year. Maybe the decade.
Notable Bars & Such
Baja Bay
Baja Bay Surf n Taco is a Mexican restaurant, family owned and operated. Offering Fish tacos, Tri-Tip tacos, Shrimp tacos, Burritos and so much more with a variety of other Mexican food favorites. They feature Farm to Market produce and locally caught fish in season. The delicious Santa Maria style Trip Trip is cooked over Red Oak.
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Unit 104, Ventura, CA 93001
805-535-4160
Walden
Known by many as the “Father of the Modern Longboard,” Steve Walden shaped his first surfboard in 1961, at age 13, and never looked back. Eight years later, the native Southern Californian opened his first board factory and store in Huntington Beach, then moved to the North Shore of Oahu in 1972, where he made a name for himself as a prolific longboard shaper. While the rest of the surfing world was fixated on short single-fins, Walden continued to faithfully hone his longboard designs. Over the years he shaped for prestigious labels like Lightning Bolt, Local Motion, HIC, and Channel Islands, but it was always his own boards that set him apart.
853 E. Front Street, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 653-1717
Live Music. Darts. Pool Table.
It's their signature cocktails that make them stand out from the rest. Their signature cocktails are made with locally sourced ingredients, and each one is uniquely crafted to offer a special experience. Nominated for Best Old Fashioned in Ventura County, and each month they introduce new cocktails to their menu. Stop by, have a drink, and get to know the neighbors.
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura, CA 93004
805-666-5274
Indoek Gallery
Ventura Pier.
Since its original construction in 1872, the Ventura Pier has stood as a symbol of the region’s rich history and natural resources. Once the conerstone of Ventura County’s agricultural, construction and oil trade, today the Ventura Pier is a favorite attraction for fishing, picnics, sunset strolls and beautiful views of Ventura County’s coastline and the Channel Islands.
Great For Rentals
Seaward Surf and Sport was established in 2004 as a simple board rental store. Over the past 4 years we have expanded to rent a full selection of beach and water equipment. They also now sell surfboards, body boards, skim boards, skateboards, sweatshirts, t-shirts, swimwear, hats, and everything you need to have a great time at the beach.
Treasure in the Sea
The award winning National Park Service film about the Channel Islands, narrated by Kevin Costner. Watch.
REVOLUTION
2235 Ventura Blvd. Camarillo, CA 93010 | (805) 383-1288
819 E Thompson Blvd. Ventura, CA 93001 | (805) 667-8822