Best and Worst Things about Ventura, CA (Long Beach, Oxnard: condo, theater)

[GAPeachnATL]

I will be moving from Naples Island in Long Beach, CA to Ventura, CA, and I am looking for the Best Things to do in Ventura, CA. I know this question is relative to one's taste, but I don't care. I just want to hear what you do and don't like about the town, and an idea of some great things to do if I move there. My job is moving to Camarillo, but I am affraid Camarillo will not keep me entertained. I am leaning towards living in Ventura, but have not decided yet.

[Plain Jane 3953]

I grew up in Oxnard and Camarillo and spent a lot of time in Ventura - living there for a short time. Of the 3 towns, I would pick Ventura to live. Camarillo is more a bedroom community - I would not live there unless I had kids.

[Charles]

Great weather
More for a single person to do (than Camarillo)
Easy drive to Santa Barbara
Lots of nice places for cycling
Easy drive to Ojai
Two marinas/harbors close by

[Gidget]

You are right. "Best things" are absolutely relative to one's tastes. Ventura has a funky revitalized old downtown on the east end that's fun to wander in. There is also a mall in midtown Ventura for the usual Target-Macy's-Penney's type of stores. Ventura is right next door to Oxnard, which has Costco and similar stores. And of course there's that beach thing. And mild weather. What I do not like are the overcast and/or foggy days, which is one of the reasons I don't live in Ventura.

[Clarks]

Patagonia

[Plain Jane 3953]

Well, if Ventura has a "funky revitalised old downtown" then it is better than what I remembered.

[allenk893]

I don't like the fact that it's so white. I mean seriously, where's the diversity?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by allenk893

I don't like the fact that it's so white. I mean seriously, where's the diversity?

Races in Ventura:

• White Non-Hispanic (78.3%)
• Hispanic (25.1%)
• Other race (11.6%)
• Two or more races (4.3%)
• Black (1.4%)
• American Indian (1.2%)
• Filipino (0.6%)

Races in Boynton Beach:

• White Non-Hispanic (64.4%)
• Black (22.9%)
• Hispanic (9.2%)
• Two or more races (2.6%)
• Other race (2.4%)
• Asian Indian (0.6%)

Big deal.

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by Charles

Races in Ventura:

• White Non-Hispanic (78.3%)
• Hispanic (25.1%)
• Other race (11.6%)
• Two or more races (4.3%)
• Black (1.4%)
• American Indian (1.2%)
• Filipino (0.6%)

Races in Boynton Beach:

• White Non-Hispanic (64.4%)
• Black (22.9%)
• Hispanic (9.2%)
• Two or more races (2.6%)
• Other race (2.4%)
• Asian Indian (0.6%)

Big deal.

FYI, I don't live in Boynton Beach anymore. What a Fokusoa lah.

[lihutchi]

I loved living in Ventura!! I was a single mom so didn't have much money but that was OK. We'd hop on our bikes with sandwiches in backpacks and head for the beach bike trail and ride and play all day long. When we got tired we'd lock up the bikes and play in the ocean, spent many many days doing that. I lived in a condo that backed up to a barranca and we'd hike all the way to the Santa Clarita (I think) river - the one between Ventura and Oxnard. Drove the loop up 33 through Ojai, back through Santa Paula and into Ventura often. Camped at Lions Camp up Highway 33 lots of weekends. Played on the beach then drove up 33 and played in the snow on the same day. Took bikes to Santa Barbara and rode down State Street - went to the zoo there too and love the botanical gardens and museums. Saw several great concerts at Ventura Theater. I loved it there.