July in Ventura . . . wish you were here

The weather today is gorgeous, my kids are spending their last morning at surf camp and Ventura is featured on Virgin Airlines recently revamped web site as "California's Last Best Beach Town." Travel writer Maryann Hammers says, "Ventura would never be described as 'tragically hip'. There are no budding starlets, no paparazzi, no designer stores nor celebrity chefs. That's what's so great about it." To read the whole story, click here.

Like residents of most great towns, Venturans tend to be ambivilent about tourists. We certainly aren't overrun with them as parts of Santa Barbara seem to be. But most locals prefer the undiscovered charm of the place. They are proud of the revival of the historic Downtown, but suspicious of national chains locating there, even though we are happy to shop at big stores elsewhere in town.

Yet there is also a recognition that without visitors, we couldn't maintain the lively arts and culture scene in town -- and we welcome the economic benefit they bring to businesses and public services.

Some people wax enthusiastic about capitalizing on our location -- the first sight of blue water for the millions of annual travellers coming from the south on the 101, where all the green Caltrans signs say "Ventura," starting in Pasadena. The recently approved Hyatt Regency -- along with the spuced up Marriott and Crowne Plaza -- are making Ventura more attractive as a travel destination.

For more about Ventura as a place to go this summer, check out our Visitor's Bureau web site here. You can even send free e-postcards featuring gorgeous shots of Ventura landmarks. And even locals will enjoy the Virtual Ventura eye-popping eye-candy that takes you on a dizzying virtual tour inside local spots from the high-end Watermark to the funky Bank of Books. Finally, there's also great info on our Downtown on the website for the Downtown Ventura Organization.