Things To Do
Santa Paula Art Museum
This old Limoneira building has been turned into an art museum, and features local artists of Santa Paula.
Rabalais' Bistro
Perfectly lovely Santa Paula spot with New Orleans atmosphere. It is locally owned and frequently visited by the Masteller’s community. Great place for coffee and a baked good, brunch, or lunch. Walking distance from St Sebastian’s, our local parish, and also from the Santa Paula train station, the art museum, and the agricultural museum across the tracks. Sip coffee and learn about Santa Paula history!
Bart's Books
One of Anna's favorites spots in Ojai; a very cool outdoor bookstore. From fiction to cooking to self help to literature, they’ve got it all! Be careful, you just might walk away with a new library.
Ojai Rôtie
The Ojai Rôtie is nestled in the center of the historic downtown. It is chef/farmer driven and has delicious fresh sourdough and rotisserie chicken with an array of sides. Yummy option for your Ojai walk! Walking distance to many boutiques, Libby park, and a moderate walk from Barts books through lovely neighborhoods.
Ojai Valley Inn
Beautiful property to walk around, with dining options and a cafe for coffee and ice cream. Anna used to work at Libby’s, where she spent many an hour putting sprinkles on scoops for famous adults.
Ventura Botanical Gardens
Free Wednesdays and Fridays, this is a beautiful hike on the mountainside by the sea, with lovely vistas and local botanicals. Hike difficulty level depends on what you are carrying with you. Easy= a light lunch in a backpack. Moderate = a heavier lunch with snacks in a backpack and a stroller with kids. Hard = two different lunches, a bevy of snacks and various glass or thermos water containers, packed in a cooler with blankets, a double stroller, two toddlers with their scooters and buzz lightyears, and a very cute and wiggly baby. Bonus of this place is a short walk (or drive) to the Serra Cross at Grant Park. Beautiful lawn with gorgeous view of Ventura coast.
Ventura Pier
Pier has a brewery and restaurant, and it is fun to walk to the end and be above the sea. Alex has yet to make it to the end; maybe after his 26.2 mile run in April he'll manage it.
Downtown Ventura
Fun street to walk down, blocked off with boutiques and restaurants. Lure fish house is a favorite, as well as Rice by Mama, Dargans, Fluid State, Cafe Fiore, and Palermo coffee. Alex has been to none of these places. That is Anna's fault. They never made it out of the botanical gardens.
In-N-Out Burger
A must visit if one has never experienced the deliciousness of the In’n’Out burger. Dare to compete with the bride and order a 4x4 burger. Dare to compete with the groom and order two of those! But most importantly, order it to go and walk down San Pedro St to the beach for prime dining experience!
Mission Basilica San Buenaventura 1782
Historical site, beautiful garden. The last mission St Junipero Serra founded. The mission holds a special place in AnnaMaria's heart, as it is where her parents, Katie and Quincy, were married in June of 1988.