Ventura

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

A week on the Southern California Coast

A September 2003 trip to Ventura by Laura

Spent a week of timeshare in Ventura.

  • 7 reviews

Harbortown Point Homeowners Association IncBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Harbortown Point Resort"

Best Things Nearby:
Harbor Village for shopping and dining and watching the sailboats come and go. Channel Islands National Park and the boats that take you to the islands are very close. Downtown Ventura is filled with antique shops and restaurants. The area is a bit sleepy and low key.

Best Things About the Resort:
They offer free movie rentals & bike rentals. Very good staff.

Resort Experience:
The unit is quite nice, and there is a lock-off room with a bed, bath and mini-fridge in it. In the main room, the bedroom is in the middle of the unit with curtains that can be shut. The kitchen had a mini-fridge and no stove - only two burners, microwave, and toaster oven for cooking. We overlooked the water, and the constant horn at the lighthouse was annoying. There is no in-unit laundry. They have an outdoor hot tub and pool, but the air tends to be cool along the Pacific Ocean. There are two outdoor grills for cooking.

  • Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
  • Activities: Fair
  • Amenities: Good
  • Unit Satisfaction: Good
  • Family Friendliness: Good
  • Service: Very Good
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on September 24, 2003

Harbortown Point Homeowners Association Inc
1651 Anchors Way Dr Ventura, California 93001
(805) 650-9273

Milano's Italian RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Milano's was a typical casual Italian place with checkered tablecloths and New York style pizza. I thought the prices were a little high, but maybe that's just California. It is right on the harbor, so it was nice to have a beer and watch the boats come and go. I has a small pizza and a salad. Nothing fancy or special here, just basic Italian food.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Laura on October 24, 2003

Milano's Italian Restaurant
1559 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, California 93001
(805) 658-0388

Elephant Bar RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is a chain in California like TGI Friday's or something. There is a lot of Asian influence on the menu, but there there are lots of basics to choose from too. The food was very good, and the service was attentive, despite our being the dreaded last table of the night. We got some Asian lettuce wraps that were delicous. I had a Chinese Chicken Salad that was also great, with marinated grilled chicken. The prices are good too, with entrees in the $7-to-$12 range.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on October 24, 2003

Elephant Bar Restaurant
5795 Walker Ventura, California
(805) 644-6238

Farmers MarketBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

When in California, I love to go to farmers markets. The produce in California can feed the world. The one in Ventura is year round on Saturday from 8:30am to noon. It was pretty small, but there was lots of local fresh fruit and some nuts and dates. There was a stand selling delicious homemade tamalies and the popcorn stand had a line down the block.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on October 24, 2003

Farmers Market
Santa Clara & Palm Streets Ventura, California

United States Government: Channel Islands National ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Channel Islands National Park"

To get to the islands, you have to use Island Packers, an authorized concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park. We took a day trip to Santa Cruz leaving from Ventura. Luckily, one of the rangers was on the boat with us and offered a guided interpretive hike. Without that, it would have been pretty boring on the island for the day. On the 1.5-hour ride to the island, we saw some seals frolicking on a buoy. At the island, we ate our packed lunch and looked for wildlife. We saw none - not even the touted island Scrub Jay.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on October 24, 2003

United States Government: Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, California 93001
(805) 658-5700

Hearst CastleBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

A day trip up to Hearst Castle was a must. William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper giant, built his castle over a span of 30 years. He's the megalomaniac that Citizen Kane was based upon. This place is incredible. It is huge and filled with Hearst's amazing art collection purchased in Europe.

There are four different tours. Tour One is recommended for all first time visitors, but we did the night time tour. At night there are characters in period costume all over the home to show you how he would have entertained. Our docent was excellent and knew a lot about the art and the times of Hearst. It ends with a Hearst newsreel in the screening room. There is also an IMAX move, Hearst Castle: Building the Dream, which is the life story of William Randolph Hearst and worth the extra $5. There is a completely overpriced gift shop for souvenirs too.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Laura on October 24, 2003

Hearst Castle
750 Hearst Castle Road Ventura, California

Antique Stores DowntownBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Ventura is filled with antique and collectibles shops. Main Street has the largest concentration of antique shops. We wandered in and out of the shops filled with antiques and collectible kitsch. Truebloods Collectibles had lots of toys, magazines, and comics we liked.

There are also many nice restaurants, charity thrift shops, and coffee houses.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on October 24, 2003

Antique Stores Downtown
Main Street Ventura, California 93001

About the Writer

Laura
Laura
Chicago, Illinois

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