Welcome to Main Street
The Rebirth of Downtown Ventura Had an Unlikely Origin: The Pandemic
When Ventura was recently named one of America’s “cutest small towns,” my first thought was, “Damned straight!”
My second thought was, “Small town?”
The city of Ventura now hosts a population of roughly 109,000, and the average home price has risen to just north of [gulp] $900,000 (as of February 2025.) That’s a gobsmacking figure, especially given that Ventura County retains much of its suburban/rural/agricultural character while struggling to spur economic growth. You’d think the area would be drying up as a tourist destination.
And you’d be wrong. Joyfully wrong.
Drive north-northwest along Main Street, and the road will tour you through Ventura’s economic past, into its present. The stretch of road from the US-101 exit, past the Pacific View Mall, looks weathered and in many cases, forgotten. There’s the SideCar Restaurant, a dining room built out of an old train car, now permanently closed. There are remnants of mid-century signage, vacant lots where popular businesses used to stand.
As you pass the “Five Points” area (where several streets converge in a cockeyed star pattern) and head toward Downtown, the past starts to fall away. Sort of. You find yourself among rows of storefronts where the past has at least undergone a recent makeover — bookstores, record stores (vinyl albums!), a weed shop. Beautiful Victorian homes.
Keep going just past the intersection with Kalorama Street and, well, don’t go too far past Kalorama. You’ll find yourself stopped at a series of barricades that mark the boundaries of Downtown Ventura’s pedestrian-only restaurant district.
Sparking some City-level controversy over its accessibility and profitability (the loss of paid parking), this zone has been popular with locals and tourists since the early days of the pandemic, when public demand surged for outdoor restaurants and walkable areas. (Look for a Ventura edition of “Happy Hour Trails” and an “Uncork Your Own Ventura” wine trail in future 805 Diary posts.) In the meantime, here’s a “directory listing” of just a few of our favorites:
If you’re looking for knock-you-sideways tropical drinks, a campy vibe, and mouthwatering Asian/Pacific Island-inspired fare, do yourself a favor and check this place out. The menu includes several—and I do mean, several—pages of primarily rum-based drinks, none of which skimp on the alcohol. Themed drinks like the “Jet Pilot” will be brought to you accompanied by a “Top Gun” soundtrack and a call-and-response chorus of “Jet Pi-lot!” from your servers and fellow patrons. The Hurricane comes with a whoosh of wind on the sound system and a light spritzing with a water gun. (I think it counts as a -10 on the EF scale?) If you plan on becoming a regular, ask for a “passport.” This will track your progress through a selection of 60 drinks and qualify you for an honorary fez and specialty, off-menu drinks on “Fez Fridays” (the first Fridays of each month). Expect to take about a year to complete the passport.
Our tips and advice: Go at happy hour for the best deals—and the best chances of getting seated. (There are often long lines to get in.) If you’re driving, limit yourself to one drink and/or imbibe with food. Be sure to have your I.D. ready to show at the entrance, even if you’re well above the legal drinking age. Don’t seat yourself—check in at the host station. Don’t hassle the staff (they’re usually busy AF), and don’t rearrange the patio furniture. You might just get yourself kicked out for these violations. The patio is dog-friendly.
BellRinger has picked up where Anacapa Brewing left off after folding a year or so ago. Decent beer and wine selections, and pub food that’s generous and affordable. (And delicious!) Dog-friendly. Oh, and check out the arcade games at the back of the main pub room.
This small-batch winery based in Santa Barbara County specializes in wines with playful twists, including a selection of “Pet Nat” (pétillance naturel) wines, which have a naturally “fizzy” quality. No kitchen. Pre-packaged snacks are available, and you’re welcome to bring in food from nearby restaurants. Dog-friendly.
Dale and I only recently visited this Mexican tequila/mezcal bar and restaurant, but we have a strong feeling that it will become one of our faves. Inventive cocktails (my drink included a shot of Manzanilla Sherry), seating at the bar or in one of the large, comfortable booths, and a decidedly cool vibe. We can’t wait to try the food.
Parking in Downtown Ventura
Look for free spaces in the garage off Santa Clara Street between California and Chestnut Streets. Public lots, and a mix of free and paid parking spots, are available along surrounding streets.