VENTURAAn Author’s Guide to His Hometown

live your adventure

Photo cred: Ventura Stock

This hometown guide is organized around a good day of writing, which for me, has as much drinking and eating as it does writing. I like to start early, with a cap-puccino at one of my favorite coffee shops and watch as the town comes to life. As whatever story I’m working on progresses across the page, I like to progress with it. I move from one favorite location to the next, keeping inspiration flowing. In this way, Ventura is my writing part-ner. Each new view provides a different angle to the story. It also provides a different angle on the town. In writing this way, I’ve seen every part of Ventura, in every light. Still, each day is new. Fresh. As long as I do my job and show up, Ventura does its job and whispers words into my ears. Ventura is my muse.

For those of you who know Ventura, I hope this guide will help you find a new angle, or remind you of why you love it here. For those of you new to Ventura, this guide is a just a starting point. Come visit. Check these places out. Discover how the light falls upon the hills and reflects upon the water. If you look deep enough, long enough, you may discover your own muse.

Travel well,

Rog

Ventura is my muse.

MORNING“Sunrise comes soft and unnoticed, and the predawn stirs with commercial fisherman, farmers, field laborers, and surfers trolling beaches to find the perfect waves at first light. From the southern boundary, Ventura begins where the Santa Clara River enters the Pacific, near the harbor. The land rises gently, first in plains made rich from topsoil delivered by the river, then rising above, forming foot-hills to the north where the city slumbers cozily in its reach. Beyond, the hills become moun-tains with peaks sometimes disappearing into the clouded veil of heaven.”

Excerpt from My Best Friend’s Funeral

The excitement of a writer’s day is not knowing where the words will take you.

On the page, I’ve been around the world and back before a second cup of

coffee. The first cup of coffee is to get things warmed up. Watching the town

come to life helps my imagination to follow.

7amCOFFEE

My favorite places to watch the city come to life are Palermo and Café

Ficelle. Palermo is a downtown establishment with beach-city casual

sidewalk seating. Get a fleece jacket from the Patagonia headquarters a

few blocks away, and watch the sun warm historic storefronts along

downtown Main Street. The almond croissant at Café Ficelle is like a first

kiss. You’ll remember the first time you had one and you’ll find yourself at

the oddest hours dreaming about another. The café is located on the

busiest corridor in town, and from oversized windows I like to watch the whir

of people on the outgoing leg of their daily journey.

8amBREAKFAST

When the morning coffee rush ends, I’m ready for breakfast. I like breakfast

routines. They make me feel like everything is ok in the world. My routines

are to sit at the counter at Allison’s Country Café or to grab a booth at

Cajun Kitchen downtown. Allison’s has all the comfort favorites while Cajun

adds some often-needed spice to the day.

Some mornings I don’t want to be distracted by my environment and all I

need is a seriously great cup of coffee. For these mornings I head to

Prospect, near downtown, or Beacon, on the edge of town. In both

cases, the coffee alone is inspiration enough to get the words flowing.

liquid inspiration

9am

10am

MORE COFFEEAfter breakfast, it’s time for a second round of coffee. By now I’m warmed

up and this is when most of the daily work gets done. My favorite place for

round two is Kay’s Coffee Shop near the bottom of Seaward Ave. The

cozy interior and sunny patio are steps away from the beach and always

filled with a friendly mix of locals and visitors.

MORNING CONTINUED

TIME FOR A WALKWriting is 80% procrastination and my favorite form is to comb the beach

for sea glass. From Kay’s Coffee Shop, head to the sand and turn left.

Keep an eye out for seals and dolphins that call this area home. You’ll

eventually reach a park near the harbor where you can watch boats go by.

OTHER MORNING OPTIONS

Ventura Botanical Garden

Park behind historic City Hall and hike the trail through a

botanical collection from Mediterranean climate

regions of the world. Each new bend provides sweep-

ing city and ocean views.

The Cross

Perched on the hillside above downtown Ventura, the

Cross has always been a guide. Historically, it guided

mariners to a safe port. Now, from the best view in

town, it guides locals in their most perplexing life deci-

sions, or at the very least, towards where to get lunch.

Farmer’s Market

If you’re here on a Saturday morning, be sure to check

out the downtown farmer’s market. I always buy more

vegetables than I ever intend to eat, just because they

look so beautiful. Afterwards, stroll downtown main

street and end up at a local café for a sunny sidewalk

cappuccino or late-morning treat.

great Ventura walksPark under the overpass on Sanjon Road and walk along the path toward

the pier. Past the pier is great place to watch local surfers and from the end

of the pier the Pacific will envelop you like a favorite blanket.

At low tide, take the first exit north of town and park immediately along the

beach. Take off your shoes and walk along the wet sand between the ocean

and the hills. In spring, mustard grass descends down the hills like bright

yellow waterfalls.

For a great urban hike, park near the pier and from the promenade, walk up

California Street to the historic courthouse. If you’re feeling ambitious, follow

the signs to Grant Park and walk up to the Cross. Be sure to take a lap around

downtown Main Street to check out the Mission, then grab a bite or a drink

before heading back to the car.

AFTERNOON

12pmTACOS

Lunchtime means tacos. Or Ahi tuna. For

either, head to local favorite Spencer

Makenzie’s. Be sure every order includes an

Ahi Pocket. They also have the largest

cornhole tournament in the country.

Seriously, the place is awesome and I’ll be

personally offended if you don’t go. But if

you’ve gone to Spencer Makenzie’s for three

days in a row, change things up and stroll

downtown Main Street for options ranging

from ramen to pizza by the slice. Or just

switch to the blackened salmon salad.

In my writing routine, the new day is for new words. Mornings are a sacred time and I don’t deviate from the routine. In the afternoons, I get to loosen up. On the nice days, which is pretty much every day in Ventura, I take my van up the beach and set up office. With the sun and sea as a backdrop, I edit potential chapters, write emails, or catch up on reading. But first, I get lunch.

Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack serves all the favorites with a surf-style twist. My family and I go to Snapper Jacks so often it is referred to as our cafeteria. It’s the best cafeteria ever.

Johnny’s and Corrales are the two major denominations of authentic Mexican food in Ventura. I take a non-denomi-national stance and eat frequently at both.

For the best street tacos, our “secret taco shop” is in a strip mall on the corner of Telephone and Main Street (near Starbucks). I don’t even know what it’s called. But I do know the Carne Asada and Al Pastor tacos have changed my life. And since tacos are under $2, I’m often scraping change from under car seats just to have one more.

My favorite taco shops:

1pm

BEACH TIMEThere are over 10 miles of beach from

Ventura’s southern border to the next town to

the north. For my editing sessions, I exit the

first off-ramp north of town and find a place

to park my VW van along the water. It’s like

having a free oceanfront office. I pretend

the dolphins and migrating whales are my

office mates and we stand around the water

cooler exchanging stories of the weekend.

Their stories are always way cooler.

“For generations, C Street has been the home surf break for Ventura surfers. The break is named for California Street, a four-block boulevard connect-ing Pacific swells to historic City Hall and the inde-pendent stores and cafes of downtown Ventura. City Hall is perched on a hill overlooking the pier where hillside views connect downtown, the beach-es, and Channel Islands National Park, only a short distance from Ventura’s shoreline.

Channel Islands is a protected sea sanctuary surrounding a primitive landscape of grasslands, creeks, and forests – and oceans as pristine as when Native Americans gathered food from the crystal-clear bays. Beyond the bays, the ocean’s food chain swims in full abundance, with those near the top of the chain – dolphins, whales, otters, sharks – most visible.”

Excerpt from We Stood Upon Stars

Photo cred: Ventura Stocl

Photo cred: Ventura Stock

2pm

3pm

AFTERNOON SURF OR PADDLEThe work is done and it’s time to surf! I like to surf away from the crowds, so

I’m not going to tell you where I go, but a couple good breaks to get

started on are C-Street and Mondos. If you have a stand up paddleboard,

launch from the community dock at Marina Park and paddle the protect-

ed channels and harbor. If you don’t have one, they have them for rent in

the harbor.

AFTERNOON CONTINUED

BEER:THIRTYMade West and Topa Topa Breweries are where local authors meet up and

wish their words flowed as smoothly as the beers. Go to Made West on

Thursdays or the weekend for food trucks and live music. At beer:thirty, Topa

Topa fills with surfers and Patagonia HQ employees who look like they just left

the beach instead of the office.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, the knowledgeable surf

instructors at Ventura Makos will safely get you standing on your first

wave. They also run a great summer surf camp for kids. Call them

for private or group lessons.

learn to surf

4pm

AFTERNOON ALTERNATIVES

Go to the harbor

Stroll around the harbor and get an ice cream at Coastal

Cone. If you’re traveling with kids, they will love the harbor’s

old-school arcade. The walk up counter at Andria’s

seafood has been a generational staple. If you prefer to

be waited upon, the upstairs patio at Brophy Bros serves

views almost as good as their seafood.

While at the harbor, be sure to check out the Channel

Islands National Park Visitor Center. If you plan to stick

around, book a trip to the islands with Island Packers. The

Channel Islands are often compared to the Galapagos

Islands.

Hang out downtown

My favorite downtown shop is the surf and motorcycle

inspired Iron and Resin. My wife loves to start by checking

out the latest sea glass jewelry at Betty Belts before head-

ing to B-on-Main and Latitudes Fine Art. While she’s doing

that, I disappear into the historic El Jardin courtyard for an

afternoon coffee or acai bowl. afternoon coffee or acai bowl.

Photo cred: Train 805 Photo Made West

5pm

FAMILY TIMEFor family time, we’re back at the beach or one of Ventura’s three

skateparks for the last session of the day. Grab take out from Snapper

Jacks or In-N-Out and make an evening of it.

7pm

DINNERIf my publisher or agent is in town, we’re head-

ing to Lure Fish House for dinner where I start

with a martini and pan-fried oysters. If I’m with

my family, we head to Snapper Jack’s down-

town. It’s the same delicious menu as the one

by our house, but since it’s downtown it feels

fancier. Even though I probably had tacos for

lunch, I still order the taco combo and have a

minimum of 4 different fresh salsas.

Ventura was early in the municipal public skate park scene; however, our three

skate parks are small and antiquated compared to other cities. There’s an

effort underway to improve Ventura’s skate parks, but in the meantime, our

neighboring cities of Ojai and Fillmore have my sons’ favorite bowls and ledges.

Where are the good skate parks?

5pm

FAMILY TIMEFor family time, we’re back at the beach or one

skateparks for the last session of the day. Grab t

Jacks or In-N-Out and make an evening of it.

7pm

DINNERIf my publisher or agent is in town, we’re head-

ing to Lure Fish House for dinner where I start

with a martini and pan-fried oysters. If I’m with

my family, we head to Snapper Jack’s down-

town. It’s the same delicious menu as the one

by our house, but since it’s downtown it feels

fancier. Even though I probably had tacos for

lunch, I still order the taco combo and have a

minimum of 4 different fresh salsas.

Ventura was early in the municipal public skate pa

skate parks are small and antiquated compared t

effort underway to improve Ventura’s skate parks, b

neighboring cities of Ojai and Fillmore have my so

“That summer I would sit in the water

and ask God about the world and

watch those questions sink unanswered

into the Pacific, where they were gath-

ered with all unanswered questions

and given back in the form of perfect

waves. After a short paddle through

the shore break, Tim and I would surf

the last swells of summer and in the

fading light of day talk about fathers

and God and girls and the men we

were trying to become.”

Excerpt from My Best Friend’s Funeral

EVENINGThough Ventura is a great place to work, it’s an even better place to

play! This should be expected in a year-round, good weather

coastal community. When the writing is done, it’s time to grab the

family and celebrate our beach town blessings.

EVENING CONTINUEDSUNSET

As the last light of sun slips behind the horizon and reflects its wistful

memory of day into the sky, you’ll be reminded that the best things in

life are still free. The best places to catch the sunset are from the Cross,

on the pier, the beach at the bottom of Sanjon Road, or the first exit

north of town, just past Emma Wood.

8pm

9pm Me and my wife’s go-to date night is a bottle of wine and a

VW Van at the beach. It’s hard to perfect upon perfection.

DATE NIGHT

OTHER DINNER OPTIONS

For sushi, go to I Love Sushi and learn why

the name of the place quickly becomes

redundant. If you’re already downtown or

just finished surfing at C-Street, head to

Banzai Marina on California Street, a

couple blocks from the beach.

A couple hidden gems that are local

favorites are Cafe Zack on Thompson Blvd.

and The Cave, conveniently located inside

Ventura Wine Co on Telephone Rd. Cafe

Zack offers upscale dining in an intimate

and casual setting. My favorite is the

peppercorn encrusted filet. It’s fancier than

my normal fare, but my tastebuds always

rise to the occasion. Though The Cave is

located in a nondescript industrial building,

you will quite literally enter a cave, where

both the food and environment will trans-

port you to a wine and foodie heaven.

Stroll along the sand and pier, then dine at

Aloha Steakhouse right on the beach,

where dinner is paired with island and

sunset views. I alternate between the

Teriyaki Baseball and the Macadamia

Crusted Halibut. My wife says the other

options are fantastic too.

If you don’t have a van, or if you’ve rented a Toyota Camry, here are

some other good options:

• Catch the latest movie downtown and discuss it after with an affogato

at Palermo.

• On the third Friday of the month, check out Food Truck Friday in the

Trader Joes parking lot on Mills Ave. (Incidentally, Trader Joes is the true

hub of the city.) Because I’m super sophisticated, I get a smoked hot dog

from the BBQ truck while my wife gets tasty things I can’t pronounce at the

other trucks.

• When it’s been a while since my last book advance, we share a coffee

drink and thumb through books at Barnes & Noble. Simple. Cheap. And

after 18 years of marriage, still a favorite.

date night

BOOK AN EXTENDED STAYTo fully experience the last un-gentrified beach town in Southern California, you’ll need to stay a few days. If you like to camp, you’re in luck.

Ventura has great beach camping at Emma Wood, Hobsons, and Faria. If you’re the hotel type, start by checking out the Crown Plaza on the

waterfront or the Four Points by Sheraton in the harbor. While you’re here, be sure to check out a couple of my nearby favorites...

A NOTE ABOUT THE THOMAS FIREIn December, Ventura was devastated by what became the largest wildfire in California history. Some parks and hikes may not be re-opened and hundreds of residents are trying to rebuild their homes and lives. If you find yourself in a burn area, please be respectful of the environment and the people as both are trying to heal.

Make a reservation with Island Packers for a day cruise to Channel Islands National Park where you’ll see more dolphins and whales than people.

Take the full-day trip and you can hike or kayak the most unspoiled coastal areas of California.

Check out the emerging food and cultural scene in Santa Paula. For great Irish Pub Fare, go to Garman’s Pub and say hi to my lifelong friend,

Clint. He’s also a Ventura native and if you’re lucky, he may tell you a story or two of our growing up years. For food with a New Orleans flair,

Rabelais features authentic family recipes passed down from the region. After you eat, stroll around the corner to Santa Paula Trading Company

for artfully curated new and vintage fashion.

Photo cred: Ventura StockPhoto cred: Ventura Stock

Photo cred: Ventura Stock Photo cred: Ventura Stock

Photo cred: Ventura Stock

ABOUT THE AUTHORRoger W. Thompson was born and raised in Ventura, California. Upon returning from

college, Roger and his best friend Tim Garrety built the world-renown indoor skatepark,

Skate Street Ventura, where people came from all corners of the globe to skate the

legendary park and enjoy the city. Since then, Roger has been a writer and producer

on a dozen surf movies, and has designed skate parks, music venues, café’s and

boutique hotels throughout the US and in the Caribbean. He lives in Ventura with his

wife and two sons where he writes and designs and eats a lot of tacos.

@roger_w_thompson @AuthorRogerWThompson RogerWThompson.com