FREE July 2015 SanDiegofamily.com Win a family getaway to Cape Rey Carlsbad Resort!

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FAMILY T P San Diego’s I N C FUN! E Spark Up K R E D BY PA Your th 2015 WINNERS Best of • Fireworks4 Family Fun 2015 • Parades winners revealed! Lisa Gipson Discover Ventura Family fun awaits just up the coast

A few hours up the coast from San Diego is the beach town and patch (while supplies last) through the Junior Ranger of Ventura. I’ve driven through it hundreds of times without Discovery Program when activities are completed in a realizing the gem that sits just minutes from Highway 101. booklet provided by a volunteer or park ranger on site. My family is always up for new adventures, so off we went. Exhibits and Junior Ranger materials are in English and Here are things we recommend when your family visits Spanish. www.nps.gov/chis Ventura. Find more at http://visitventuraca.com. Having lunch at the Harbor? Be sure to stop at Boatyard What to Do Café for a sandwich, salad or delicious bowl of clam There is always something fun going on at Ventura Harbor Village chowder. Kids menu available. www.theboatyardcafe.com (VHV). Nestled between the harbor and an awesome stretch of somewhat secluded beach, VHV has a collection of boutique shops, True confession: We art galleries, restaurants and an arcade and indoor carousel for kids. went to Coastal Cone Parking is complimentary. twice in less than 24 hours. Why, you ask? During our visit, my teen daughters and I rented kayaks from Dole Pineapple Whip, Ventura Boat Rentals (located right at the harbor, down the ramp 40 flavors of Thrifty ice from Coastal Cone). Exploring sea caves by kayak is not really our cream, homemade waffle thing, so cruising through the waters of the peaceful marina was cones, brownie sundaes right up our alley. and chocolate-covered Well, except for bananas. Enough said. www.coastalcone.com when a huge yacht snuck up behind us. Rent beach cruisers or a surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals That got our hearts at the Marriott or Crowne Plaza and take a ride on the racing briefly, but Ventura Beach Promenade (bike/walking path). Bike we simply paddled north a couple miles to Estuary where you to the side and let can spy on birds and other wildlife. the yacht go by. A sea lion even swam Marina Park at 2950 Pierpont Blvd. is an absolute gem alongside us for a for families. It boasts a large grassy area, sand, two while (just 10 feet playgrounds (one with a pirate ship and zipline!), views of away)—that was a real treat! Visit www.VenturaBoatRentals.com the bay and marina, a paved walkway, even beach access. for rates on single or double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or pedal boats. Outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers will want to spend a day exploring the Channel Islands. Whether you Be sure to visit Channel Islands National Park Visitors Center prefer to hike, camp, explore tidepools, take a kayak at 1901 Spinnaker Dr. (at the end of the VHV parking lot) to learn tour, embark on a wildlife cruise or go whale watching, about local marine life and experience their ocean exhibit (new there’s something for everyone. Find information at this year). We were very impressed by the clever transformation www.islandpackers.com and read more about visiting of a stairwell leading to the lookout tower, featuring beautifully the Channel Islands at www.SanDiegoFamily.com/ painted murals and interactive displays. Kids can earn a free badge travel/family-travel/1521.

26 • SanDiegofamily.com • July 2015 Where to Stay Downtown Ventura We stayed at the Ventura Beach What to Do Marriott at 2055 E. Harbor Blvd. It has an ideal location one block Shopping downtown was a trip highlight for my 13-year-old, Naomi. She loved from San Buenaventura State Beach the eclectic mix of unique boutique shops and thrift stores and could have spent and the beach bike/walking path; several hours walking up and down East Main Street. about a mile from Ventura Harbor Village and just two miles from At first, my teens were less than enthusiastic about going to a museum. But I was downtown. Family features include intrigued by “The Changing Face of Abraham Lincoln,” a collection of George a pool, koi pond, bike rentals on site Stuart Historical Figures on display at Museum of Ventura County on E. Main and access to the free trolley (see St. The one-room exhibit (through October 11, 2015) illustrates pivotal moments below). We felt very welcome by the of Lincoln’s life and presidency. Even Naomi was fascinated by the compelling Marriott super friendly staff, who sculptures and historic photographs. In fact, she was the last one to leave the seemed genuinely happy to help. Be exhibit. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month. Check the website sure to ask about breakfast deals for special kid-friendly events. www.venturamuseum.org for families when you make hotel reservations. www.Marriott.com We learned a new term at Discovery Ventura: a “boutique bowling alley” has fewer than 16 lanes and the focus is on serving great upscale food. That’s what The recently renovated Crowne you’ll find at 1888 E. Thompson Blvd. The retro bowling lanes are super cool Plaza Ventura Beach is located (pins are attached to strings!) and we had an awesome dinner, but we decided on the promenade, just steps from Discovery Ventura is best for date night, or ages 10 & up. They frequently host the beach, a beach playground and concerts and social events for adults, so be sure to check the schedule in advance. Ventura Pier where you can eat at www.discoveryventura.com Beach House Fish or Beach House Tacos. www.crowneplaza.com

Photo courtesy of Mike Laan Good Eats—Downtown The free Downtown Locals recommend breakfast on the patio of Cafe We enjoyed their freshly made chocolate chip, Harbor Trolley runs Nouveau at 1497 E. Thompson Blvd. Try the Maple limoncello and snickerdoodle cookies. Wed.–Sun. (varies Bacon Beignets or Bananas Foster French Toast. on holiday weeks) and will pick up at Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop sells old several area hotels if Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack at 533 E. Main St. is a school, hard-to-find candies that will take you on requested in advance great little place to get friendly service and a tasty, a nostalgic trip down memory lane. 105 S. Oak St., by the concierge. quick lunch. Favorites are the crispy tacos and salsa Ste. 100 www.downtown bar. www.snapperjackstacoshack.com ventura.org/ Why not take a couple days this summer to downtown-harbor- Pick up a sweet or savory baked good from do some exploring with your family? If you trolley Sunflowers on the Square Bakery at 451 E. Main make a new discovery, tell me about it: editor@ St., tucked away in the quaint El Jardin Courtyard. sandiegofamily.com. v

Lisa Gipson is the managing editor at San Diego Family Magazine. She lives in North County with her husband and two of their three daughters.

28 • SanDiegofamily.com • July 2015