(15 miles ) Just a few miles up Highway 33, but a world away from the headaches and traffic that thwart much of Southern California is the small town of Ojai.
Ojai’s charms are many. The community has long been known as a haven for artists, musicians and health enthusiasts. A village ”as we locals call it”of about 8,000, Ojai is a vibrant place with so much natural beauty that it gained fame decades ago when the area was photographed to represent Shangri-La in the 1939 movie, The Lost Horizon.

Filled with delightful shops, art galleries and a host of places to retreat from the fast-paced lifestyle that can knot the nerves, Ojai invites you to walk its oak-shaded paths taking some time to drink in the serenity of it all. http://www.ci.ojai.ca.us/

Santa Barbara

(40 minutes North) Santa Barbara is sometimes referred to as the American Riviera. Her beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and colorful culture make Santa Barbara a premier resort destination.
http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/

http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/http2007/

http://www.venturamuseum.org/
The museum displays Native American, Hispanic and pioneer influences in the area. Located at 100 East Main St, the museum is 0.7 miles northwest of our Ventura Hotel.

San Buenaventura Mission

http://www.sanbuenaventuramission.org/

Founded in 1782, the mission includes a restored church, Holy Cross School, and a small museum. The San Buenaventura Mission is located less than a mile away.

Eighteen of these species are seen frequently and are thought to be residents. Throughout the year it is possible to see common dolphin, risso’s dolphin, minke whales, bottlenose dolphin, pacific white sided dolphin, dall’s porpoise and an occasional pod of orcas.

http://www.islandpackers.com/schedulewhales.html

http://www.vcstar.com/events/

http://www.venturatoday.net/currentevents.html

July 23-24

The Westside Artwalk unites Ventura’s vibrant arts community in one weekend of coordinated events. The two-day celebration of the arts will provide entertainment for all ages.

Venues: http://westsideartwalk.org/art-venues/

Artists: http://westsideartwalk.org/artists/

2011 VENTURA COUNTY FAIR
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

General Admission Prices
Adults 13 & older $12.00
Children 6-12 $9.00
Seniors 62 & older $9.00
Children 5 & under and Super Seniors (100 years & older) admitted Free.

FAIR HOURS
The Fair will open at 11:00 a.m. daily except Saturdays, Sundays and Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Day (Tuesday, August 9) when it will open at 10:00 a.m.

We take admissions until 10 p.m. Fair closes at 11 p.m. carnival closes between 11pm and midnight.

Check the website for more information: http://venturacountyfair.org/pages/3441/

Click here to buy your tickets on line.

Guide to Fair Facts

Ventura’s popular 4th of July Street Fair will continue its now 36-year-old tradition on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 10 am to 5 pm in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District. The Independence Day event regularly draws 30,000 residents and visitors in a showcase of handmade arts and crafts by more than 300 artisans along nine blocks of Main Street
from Fir Street to Mission Park, plus environmental displays, children’s activities, savory foods from booths sponsored by local organizations and businesses and six stages of live entertainment by these popular ensembles appealing to all ages:
Fir & Main Streets Stage
Bachelorettes & Bachelors 10-11
Channel Islands Clippers 11:30-12
Barranca Vista Dancers 12:15-12:45
Jewels Of The Nile 1-1:30
Channelaire Chorus 1:30-2
Tina’s Port Of Paradise 2-3

California Street Stage
Benise 11-3

Palm Street Food Court
Pier 101 11-1
Super Sonic Band 2-4

Oak Street Stage
Jill Martini Soiree 11-3

Mini Park Stage
Duchesla 11-4

Mission Stage
Iron Mountain Boys 11-4
Children, adults and their little red wagons are invited to dress up for the Pushem-Pullem Parade sponsored by the Ventura East Rotary Club that assembles at Cemetery  Park (Main & Crimea) at 9:30 am and begins to parade down Main Street at 10:30 am
(Participants receive a free commemorative button while supplies last).
Visit the Ventura Visitors Bureau, at California and Santa Clara Streets, for orientation and information on downtown merchants open during the Fair. The Sierra Club will host global awareness displays, exhibits of environmentally friendly cars and hands-on activities for children on Oak Street. Mission Park offers children pony and train rides, WOW “Jump Party” Inflatables and Gold Rush Mobile Rock Climbing.
Park for free in the downtown parking structure, city lots or the Ventura County Government Center where a free shuttle runs to the street fair every 30 minutes (no pets, except for service animals, or smoking allowed). Admission to the event is free thanks to the presenter, the City of Ventura Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships Department, and sponsors Community Memorial Hospital, Ventura Harley Davidson, DSR Audio, Ventura County Star and Gold Coast Broadcasting. The entertainment lineup follows this release.
For further details visit the website at www.cityofventura.net/streetfairs

http://www.venturaarts.org/gallery.cfm

http://westsideartwalk.org/

http://www.fun-in-ventura.com/ventura-art-galleries.html

Museums in Ventura

http://www.venturamuseum.org/

Ventura Surf Club: http://www.venturasurfclub.org/

Surf Schools:

http://www.surfclass.com/

http://www.venturasurfschool.com/

Ventura County Surf Network: http://805surf.com/site/home.php

Ventura Hillsides Music Festival
Saturday, September 25, 2011

http://www.venturahillsides.org/festival/index.shtml
Saturday, September 25, 2011
Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura, CA 
Gates open for marked early entry tickets and Gold Circle reserved seats at 11 AM.  Regular entry begins at 11:30 AM. Entertainment begins at 1 PM.