Ah Ventura!  The real California.  Thats the slogan around here and it kinda sums up how we feel about this place.  When we thought about spending some time in Cal. this was the kind of place we had in mind.

As soon as we entered Ventura County, we felt at home.  We passed orchard after orchard filled with oranges, lemons, avocados and olives.  The row crops consist of strawberries, kale, swiss chard, cabbage and endless hoop houses full of tomatoes.  There were many farmstands that looked to be open everyday year round.  And the farms rose up the slopes of beautiful mountains left and right.  Many crops are certified organic.  Agriculture is the main economic driver here and it looks like everyone is doing well.

Rincon Parkway

Amtrak at our backs

Rincon Beach

Sunset over the Pacific

Ventura County ag

Then we got to the sea and found that Ventura has endless beaches easily accessible and populated with surfers sun-up to sundown.  We camped on Rincon Parkway – a county RV parking area right on the beach.   Sure we were elbow to elbow on the weekend, but never crowded and never tired of the sound of waves crashing just 30 feet from our rig.  We just hung out and soaked in the salt air.  A bonus for us was the Amtrak line just 30 feet behind our RV.  They ran by 10 to 15 times a day with an occasional UP freight.  No horns, just close by silent running.

On Saturday we visited the farmers market downtown.  We love to learn of a place visiting their market.  We get to talk with locals and pickup the vibe.   Ventura seems to be a very green town.  Great interest in fresh, organic produce and vegan offerings are common.  The downtown has many historic buildings and beautifully restored homes as well as an old Mission San Buenaventura.  Its a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Main St to the beach and a large pier.