Ventura, California: A Great Place to Live?

No lack of sea lions and seals.

Looking for a nice town with a great beach? Ventura, California seems to be it. Mike and I started our coast drive in Ventura for two reasons: it was within a day’s drive from home, and no one recommends it. One for out-of-the-way places, I chose Ventura.

Ventura, often paired with Oxnard, lies approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Because the state of California has secured most of the coastline for preservation and public access, beaches abound. Ventura lacks the dramatic cliffs and boulders that create drama in the waves further north but boasts several miles of pristine, sandy beach. Removed from the urban sprawl south, this area is perfect for family beach days.

I like to wander, getting a feel for the culture, the people. There was nothing in Ventura to define it. The residential and shopping areas were attractive and generally free of touristy gimmicks. Which is why I think it might be a good place to live, but I wouldn’t visit unless I was planning a week at the beach.

I had booked an excursion to view Anacapa Island, one of the Channel Islands, on the Island Packers ferry. New knowledge: Santa Catalina, much further south near Los Angeles, is part of the Channel Islands. I had planned our day carefully to include the 90-minute boat tour around Anacapa Island. I missed the fine print that clarified 90 minutes one way. That happened to be the least of my errors. Maybe I will write about it sometime but don’t tell the kids. Besides the pilot, there were four other staff all knowledgeable about the area.

As usual, if I am along, the animals will probably hide. Nevertheless, we saw sea lions, the fin of sunfish, and the naturalist claimed he spotted a minke whale. The islands are impressive, basically humongous boulders housing several types of birds covering the cliffs with guano. Grottos, caves, and arches create psychedelic patterns with the water.

Mike and I had opted for the boat tour only. Many passengers disembarked at Anacapa to spend the day on this narrow rock. As the boat idled, rocking in the waves, the crew extended their arms to grasp passengers to help them onto the dock. Immediately hikers were met with 150 steps to reach the top. I was rather glad we had decided against this choice. However, counting on lunch upon return, we had another hour and a half to contemplate our hunger, which I satisfied with sugar and carbs from the snack bar.

Somehow I missed the Ventura Botanic Gardens and was drawn to one in Santa Ynez. Google Maps directed us to a park. Finding the gardens required us to leave the car and walk several feet until I spied the archway displayed in the webpage.

The garden is a testament to a devoted community. A sign announced 100 individuals and businesses who had donated trees. Throughout the garden, furniture sculpted and cobbled from wood and stone offered places to relax and meditate. A set of stairs led to higher ground for an overview of an overgrown sanctuary.

This is not the Desert Botanical Garden of Phoenix or the Chicago Botanic Gardens. I couldn’t resist its cry for help, Venmoing a donation through the QR code. If I lived in the area, I would volunteer. It is worth saving.