Ventura Restaurants

The city of Ventura may be known for its outdoor recreation activities, but its downtown area is making a name for itself as a place that offers a relaxed ambiance where shopping and dining choices are abound. The downtown area has been revitalized in recent years and now offers boutiques, restaurants, bistros, galleries, and theaters.

The downtown area is flourishing with an assortment of restaurants in Ventura due to California's abundance of fresh local seafood and produce. Ventura restaurants feature multi-cultural influences and have been featured in prestigious publications like Gourmet, Sunset and Westways. Artisan chefs have been briskly opening restaurants in Ventura due to its proximity to California's wine country and acres of fresh crops grown locally.

The vast majority of restaurants in Ventura provide a casual dining ambiance but with great atmosphere and satisfying meals associated with authentic California cuisine. Families should not hesitate to bring children along because the majority of restaurants in Ventura feature children's menus, with delicious and nutritious dishes that appeal to the younger set.

Downtown Dining in Ventura

The downtown Ventura restaurants offer an eclectic mix of choices, from Mexican and hamburgers to Chinese, Italian, sushi, and seafood. There are also numerous nightclubs to choose from in Ventura, ranging from sports bars to bars offering live music. The downtown area of Ventura offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as you skip bars and restaurants.

The Ventura Harbor is home to the local fishing industry, and seafood restaurants abound in this area. Due to its proximity to the harbor and its products, Ventura dining offers the freshest seafood right off the boat. There is also a shopping village in the area called Ventura Harbor Village, which is famous for its assorted shops and restaurants. In fact, Ventura Harbor Village has been called Southern California's version of San Francisco's famous Fisherman's Wharf.

Enjoying the View while Dining in Ventura

The City of Ventura is a typical Southern California beach town, with endless outdoor recreation, primarily composed of sun, sand and surfing. One of Southern California's best kept secrets, Ventura is a place you would imagine when you hear a song of the Beach Boys. Ventura has given visitors a refreshing and pleasurable experience with its great food, entertainment, and a laid back atmosphere.

Ventura is only an hour drive north of the bustling city of Los Angeles and offers so many scenic attractions. Probably the most popular tourist attraction of Ventura is the Channel Islands Natural Park. This chain of five islands, located about 14 miles off the coast, is home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals, about 100 of which can only be found there. Surfer's Point is also a popular attraction in Ventura and is considered to be one of the best surfing spots in Southern California.

About Ventura

The City of Ventura, also known as San Buenaventura, has a population of about 100,000 residents. The city is located about 69 miles north of Los Angeles with numerous beaches and a lovely harbor. Ventura is in the process of reinventing itself with a major downtown makeover, and efforts have been made to categorize the city as a center for the arts. The city's official name, San Buenaventura, is now more commonly used to describe its thriving central downtown district as part of its re-branding efforts. As a result, Ventura's renovated downtown area is now home to a growing art scene and cutting edge restaurants.