I was born a lovely thirteen-hour plane ride away from Newcastle and raised in a small town in Moorpark, California, with just about 30,000 residents. Moorpark is not remarkable in its charming suburbs and growing number of overpriced pizza joints. However, the county area, Ventura, is a gem of California.
Nestled between Los Angeleles and the great lights of Hollywood and Santa Barbara, Ventura has a lot of sun and community to offer. Up north is a great surf spot for learners called Mondos. Different companies provide surf lessons year-round, and I have met my fair share of Brits out on the waves.
Before getting in the water, head to one of the many surf shops and pick up a famous In-N-Out burger. A day on the beach is best accompanied by a nice burger and a speaker blasting your music of choice.
However, there is more to California than the beaches—it's tough to believe! Check out the Ventura fairgrounds in the summer and the strawberry festival in the spring. On any weekend, take a look at some of the many local flea markets, or maybe even walk down the main street filled with local businesses and second-hand stores.
Heading up and down the coast, witnessing California's beautiful West Coast and great valleys, this place is a calm way from Los Angeles
Heading back south down the coast approaches my side of the county, and the many suburbs and fields that make up Ventura. Fun fact: Ventura County is a major fruit producer for the entire nation. Pick fresh oranges in Ojai, berries in my hometown, Moorpark, famous Oxnard strawberries, and raspberries of Camarillo.
Beyond the sea and the fields lay rows and rows of California suburbs. Do not be fooled, there are hidden gems here. Coffee shops galore, get into the California culture with an overpriced culture. But we can do better than Starbucks, with local places like Makenna Koffee, Calioh Coffee, Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, and Historia Bakery.
Make sure to enjoy the California sun, though! There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and see the county's beautiful, hilly nature. The Paradise Fall hike in Wildwood Regional Park is popular with locals and includes various trails of varying difficulty. The County runs the Conejo Valley Botanical Gardens, which contains many of the area's beautiful and natural plants.
There are plenty of restaurants around in the evening. However, something new to try might be checking out a local theater. Local volunteers run the High Street Theater in Moorpark, which holds plays and musicals year-round. For something more mainstream, visit the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, where comedians and professional theater come through to give the community a show.
You may be surprised, but this would be a long day back in Ventura County. Heading up and down the coast, witnessing California's beautiful West Coast and great valleys, this place is a calm way from Los Angeles. Visit if you find yourself in Southern California, looking for a tranquil and friendly community with plenty of hidden treasures. Ventura County, California, you will miss it when you are gone.