As if the stunning backdrop of majestic yachts, idyllic sunsets, and gentle ocean breezes were not enough to entice visitors, add to the mix live weekend entertainment, Waterfront Wednesdays, the summertime fun of Seaside Kids Club and water sports, to discover why Ventura Harbor Village is the ideal midweek or weekend summer sojourn. What’s more, admission and parking are free at Ventura Harbor Village all summer long!
Located off of California’s Highway 101 on a stretch of prime Pacific coastline, this idyllic California seaside enclave is worth the drive:
Waterfront Wednesdays – Boasting a host of seaside boutiques/shops, dive and drink specials, liven a mid-summer weekday with the return of this annual favorite from noon to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in July and August. With something for everyone, families delight in a FREE Kid’s Scavenger Hunt (complete with prizes,) and get a chance to send a Ventura postcard to friends for FREE from Noon to 3 p.m. Check out specials from numerous retailers and boutiques only on Waterfront Wednesdays, a dozen restaurants (many situated right on the water,) and experience “must-seas” play specials offered Wednesdays only including Channel Island National Park Visitor Center for the Marine Sanctuary’s Live Dive program webcast, The Ultimate Escape Rooms, Ventura Boat Rentals, and Ventura Comedy Club. venturaharborvillage.com/waterfrontwednesdays/
Seaside Kids Club – Leading the pack in what’s hot for kids summertime fun in Ventura, Ventura Harbor Village is a sure bet for children with the announcement of the return of its 4rd Annual Seaside Kids Club to be held Thursdays from July 11 – August 8, 2018 from 11 a.m. – noon on the waterfront. Children, ages 3-10, stay busy all summer with a seaside visit where they can explore beyond the classroom with ocean -themed activities, entertainment, bubbles, and crafts boasting materials from Lakeshore Learning.
The fun kicks off on July 11 with the popular YouTube “Baby Shark” theme and other sea worthy topiecs that include
July 18 “Cool Kelp,” July 25 “Salty Crew,” August 1 “Seaside Fun in the Sun,” and August 8 “California Vibes.” Cost is $5 per child , or become a Seaside Kids Club Member for only $15 for all 5 with special perks, including a complimentary harbor seal or Channel Islands Fox stuffy after three visits, a 50 cents off wood nickel discount for the entire family at Coastal Cone, special goodies each week, and a guaranteed spot at the Seaside Kids Club each week (space is limited weekly.) Sign-in begins at 10:30 AM at the Kelp Corridor directly across from Coffee Dock & Post and outside the Village Carousel & Arcade. venturaharborvillage.com/seaside-kids-club-2019/
Steel Drum Saturdays – Featuring an upbeat tropical vibe, celebrate the return of this popular live steel drum performance each Saturday in July and August from 1-4 p.m. at the seaside Promenade Stage with breathtaking views of both the harbor and mountains. Make a day of it arriving early to shop, relax, and dine or stop by of the Village’s top-rated restaurants for dinner with fresh seafood and refreshing hand-crafted cocktails. venturaharborvillage.com/events/
Live Summer Music Sundays – Featuring a variety of duos and trios, Ventura Harbor hosts live music performances from 1-4 p.m. on the oceanfront Promenade Stage. Dine, sip and relax as live music spills out throughout the Village during California’s best summer months with options to sit back and listen to music on the scenic promenade patios, or on the water aboard a kayak, SUP, electric boat, and paddle boats for the best floating seats in the harbor. venturaharborvillage.com/events/ Other weekly live entertainment on tap throughout summer includes Ventura Comedy Club’s blues music in its Blues Lounge, Boatyard Pub’s daily live music and Harbor Cove Café’s Aloha Fridays, Hot Harbor Nights, Ukulele Jam, and Sunday Yacht Rock. venturaharborvillage.com/events/category/live-entertainment/
Channel Islands National Park – Adventure enthusiasts get on the water with ease and reconnect with the sea. Visitors can explore the Channel Islands National Park with daily excursions to five distinct islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara and San Miguel,) just 14 miles off shore. Home to 2,000 plant species and animals, this attraction is a sure bet for outdoor summertime fun. Commonly referred to as “The American’s Galapagos,” this recreational hot spot is a backyard paradise for outdoor lovers who revel in whale watching, nature hikes, swimming, kayaking to sea caves, scuba diving, snorkeling, tide pool exploration, narrated Island wildlife cruises, birding (445 species), fishing, and visits to sea caves. The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, situated adjacent to Ventura Harbor Village, is open daily and is free to the public. It is a one-stop resource for information about the islands and features three-dimensional maps, a museum, bookstore, gift shop, and living tide pool. Visitors can view a 25-minute islands video narrated by local actor Kevin Costner and climb to a tower for a spectacular 45-degree panoramic view of the islands. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/channel-islands-national-park/
Island Packers – “Seas” the day and jump aboard one of the many excursions that are a big part of Ventura Harbor Village attractions, provided by Island Packers that serves up a bevy of choices during summer and beyond. The official concessionaire to the Channel Islands, Island Packers, is a “go-to” tour and cruise adventure specialist providing exploration, education, and recreation for those who are interested in what the Channel Islands have to offer. Whale watching is now nearly year-round, with Blues, Grays, Orcas, Humpback and many other species of whale and dolphin. Birding is another favorite pastime offered by Island Packers, and this August begins a small series of exclusive Pelagic (aquatic) birding excursion offered through November 30, 2019. Other favorites: Saturday Dinner Cruises with live entertainment that includes blues, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass and more (select dates July through September) in addition to special Highland Bagpipe harbor cruises July 13 & Sept. 21. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/island-packers/
Ventura Boat Rentals – A fun way for the entire family to get on the water this summer is via family-owned Ventura Boat Rentals, giving customers the option of 40-minute Harbor Tours, kayaking, stand up paddle boards, electric boats, and the largest fleet of pedal boats for family & friends to cruise on the waters in the marina and view wildlife. www.venturaboatrentals.com
Ventura Jet Ski Rentals – Jump on one of the Harbor’s newest attractions, a jet ski! This company offers an exhilarating water sport adventure to cool off all summer long. Once water enthusiasts leave the docks in beautiful Ventura Harbor, they will head out into the open ocean and cruise the Pacific, often with dolphins or sea lions in tow. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/ventura-jet-ski-rentals/
Ventura Sport Fishing – Catch the big one! The county’s most popular sport fishing landing and tackle shop, this attraction offers a variety of excursions and options, for everyone from beginners to veteran anglers. Take a daily fishing trip near Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and San Nicholas Islands. Spend the day or book a spot on one of our popular overnight excursions. Each of the vessels is safety certified by the United States Coast Guard and staffed with only the most friendly and professional crews. The landing office has a full tackle shop with rental equipment and fishing licenses. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/ventura-sportfishing/
Summer Sailing Camp – Take to the sea with a one week sailing camp offered by Ventura Yacht Club. Weekly five-day sessions are offered from now through August 16. Students learn the basics of sailing, strategy, sportsmanship and safety by experienced instructors, as well as rigging, and competing in short races. Cost: $215 per person, per class and $25 membership fee. vycyouthsailing.org
Ventura Dive & Sport – Dive enthusiasts of all levels get a chance to explore world-class diving, classes, full gear, and trips to the Channel Islands through Ventura Dive & Sport celebrating 30 years! Boasting a staff of certified instructors, the company uses their experience to ensure that divers receive the very best training, and selection of personal dive equipment from a wide selection of reputable brands. Ventura Dive & Sport’s on-site heated swimming pool and their state-of-the-art classroom make learning to dive very convenient. Ventura Dive & Sport has the capability to fully train and certify aspiring divers in just two weeks! venturaharborvillage.com/directory/ventura-dive-sport/
Yoga – LA’s premier stand up paddleboard yoga studio, YOGAqua, gives yogies a reason to jump-start their summer day, with yoga now offered at Harbor Cove Beach adjacent to Ventura Harbor Village. Established in July 2011 by owner and founder, Sarah Tiefenthaler, classes are open to “all levels.” Students are taken through a Vinyasa Yoga flow with customized and detailed instruction on stand up paddleboards. The YOGAqua class is 90 minutes, including instruction and peacefully paddle around the harbor with the remaining hour dedicated to yoga on the calm water. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/yogaqua/
Harbor Cove Beach – When the temperature rises, there is no better place to beat the heat than at the beach, and Ventura’s Harbor Cove beach is the ideal place for a variety of fun activities on and off the water, including stand up paddle boarding, surfing and kayaking and biking. Harbor Cove boasts the nickname “Mother’s Beach” for its calm waters. Located steps away from great surfing off the south jetty, Harbor Cove Beach offers free summer parking and restrooms. The beach is directly across from Harbor Cove Café (where you can grab breakfast and lunch) and steps away from Ventura Harbor Village. Another big bonus: The Ventura Port District funds lifeguards at Harbor Cove Beach from Memorial through Labor Day. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/harbor-cove-beach-mothers-beach/ With amazing views of the coastline and Channel Islands, Surfer’s Knoll Beach also serves as a wonderful sanctuary to relax, indulge, play, refresh, and explore. Located on Spinnaker Drive across the street from the Ventura Harbor Village, Surfer’s Knoll Beach has a great surf break at the Santa Clara River Mouth. Fun for all includes sunbathing, sea glass hunting, and leisurely walks towards the bird sanctuary along the beach. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/surfers-knoll-beach/
Ventura After Dark – When the sun sets, duck into one of these after dark entertainment zones for continuous entertainment. The Ultimate Escape Rooms provides endless fun with a choice of four unique one hour “escapes” with the newest attraction’s “Mermaid Curse” fast becoming a family favorite. The excitement comes in the form of teamwork. The challenge is to use what is in the room in order to solve puzzles. The answers to the puzzles lead visitors to the code where teams need to unlock the door, allowing one to “escape.” venturaharborvillage.com/directory/the-ultimate-escape-rooms/ For other fun and games, check out The Village Carousel & Arcade, open daily. Featuring a fun, family experience that showcases an indoor vintage kids’ carousel and an arcade with ticket redemption games for all ages. Be sure to visit the snack bar where visitors can delight in delicious flavors of homemade fudge, caramel apples, salt water taffy, and more. For serious comic relief, attend a performance of live comedy at the Ventura Comedy Club at Ventura Harbor Village. Ventura Harbor Comedy Club is Ventura’s hometown intimate entertainment favorite for laughs. From international names to hometown heroes, Ventura Harbor Comedy Club consistently presents the best in the business. venturaharborvillage.com/directory/ventura-harbor-comedy-club/
Seaside Dining – After a day of sun and fun, fuel up at one of Ventura Harbor Village top waterfront eateries where dining is at its best at Ventura Harbor Village! Offering picturesque harbor and ocean views with colorful sunsets overlooking boats and waves, scenic seaside dining is the norm. Casual and sit-down restaurants serve fresh seafood and a variety of international culinary cuisines for breakfast, lunch, dinner and during happy hour. Savor 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese, Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market , Baja Bay Surf N’ Taco, Brophy Bros. , Boatyard Pub, Coastal Cone & Parlor, Coffee Dock & Post, Copa Cubana, Le Petit Café & Bakery, The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, and Fratelli’s Pizza & Brew, one of the Harbor’s newest restaurants. Also check out Ventura Fresh Fish and Wild Local Seafood to take a fresh catch home. Also waterside in the Harbor is Water’s Edge Restaurant & Bar and the Harbor Cove Café. venturaharborvillage.com/dine/
About Ventura Harbor Village:
Located on scenic Highway 101, Ventura Harbor Village is 30 minutes South of Santa Barbara and one-hour North of Los Angeles. Ventura Harbor Village is a vibrant, working harbor village and fishing marina boasting 35 shops, galleries, restaurants and waterfront activities including a Village Carousel & Arcade, Comedy Club, Escape Rooms, Harbor Cove Beach and Surfer’s Knoll Beach, dive and fishing boats, harbor tours, boat, kayak and peddle boat rentals, and a beautiful walking Promenade. The Village offers visitors an escape to a sun-kissed, seaside playground with annual special events, live weekend entertainment, dog-friendly facilities, soft adventure, and spectacular sunset views of the Pacific coastline. Home to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, (open seven days a week with free admission and parking within walking distance to the Village), this coastal playground features its own viewing tower, exhibits and bookstore, and it is easy for travelers to visit the five islands right off the Ventura coast. It is here that visitors can experience world-class island diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, sea cave exploration, photography, camping and wildlife viewing.
For additional visitor information, contact Ventura Harbor Village at 805-477-0470, or visit VenturaHarborVillage.com. Ventura Harbor Village is located at 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura.