Ventura, California vacation getaway ideas

Ventura, California is one of our favorite ideas for an affordable getaway vacation since it's slightly more than a one-hour drive from Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles. We'll de-stress at the Four Points Sheraton at Ventura Harbor and use our Starwood Points through American Express for an affordable two-day stay.

We simply like walking around the marina, taking a walk on the beach off Seaward Avenue, and gazing at the mountains coming close to the shore.

There's nothing fancy about the area -- although you can dine in style. Ventura is definitely "come as you are."

While lots of business travelers stay at the Four Points Sheraton, the atmosphere is still relaxed with well-landscaped grounds, a spacious pool that's heated, and an enclosed whirlpool area.

We've had rooms on the first floor and second floors and we've always been satisfied with the accommodations. I especially like the light blue and white interior design. It's definitely relaxing.

The Sheraton is slightly more than one-mile from the Seaward exit off Highway 101 and yet it has an out-of-the-way feeling since the rooms are set back from the surface streets. Many of the rooms have a nice view of the marina.

It's easy to walk out the back of the Sheraton and get a good walk up and around Ventura Harbor Village and back.

Fishing boats, yachts, and small boat rentals make up the water traffic. We like to rent kayaks here and paddle through the canals of the Ventura Keys. It's a great work-out and the breakwater is able to keep the water calm even when waves are breaking high over the rocks. Click here for the Ventura Harbor Village website.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area from fresh fish to French and Italian.

On Saturdays, there's a fresh fish market open with local fishermen sailing back in to the docks and selling what they've caught.

The Channel Islands Visitor Center is worth seeing. Topographic maps inside the center show the locations of the outlying Channel Islands and give an idea of a different world that exists off the California coast.

Seaward Avenue

Along Seaward Avenue near the beach are a few fun restaurants and condo rentals. One is Seaward Fish and Chips with excellent fried zucchini and the flavor of the fish is terrific. It definitely puts you in the mood with the salt air. The inside barely seats a dozen people and decorated dollar bills hang from the ceiling and along the walls.

Weather

We've gone to the area plenty of times in January and March, and the days are normally sunny. We spent Thanksgiving weekend there a couple of years ago and the wind was quite blustery and cold at night. The days in the summer can get foggy right on the beach and that's a welcome relief from the heat.

I remember once camping in Ojai and the temperature hit the 90s by late morning. We drove to the beach and within one mile, a fog bank stretched across the sand and water. The temperature was 70 degrees.

Living in a noisy, bustling household for years, I simply enjoy pausing to take in the sight of the mountains coming down to the sea, bathed in sunshine.

I highly recommend Ventura as a vacation getaway idea for those living around Los Angeles or anyone traveling to Southern California and Central California.

Santa Barbara is an hour jaunt up the coast while Universal Studios is an hour driving time to the east.

There are state campgrounds with camping on or near the beach.

There are plenty of local farms to buy fresh produce, too. Downtown Ventura's got some happening bars -- I guess.

Beach traffic in the summer and on the weekends can get heavy, but since this is Southern California that's to be expected. Overall, I make a strong recommendation for the area.