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Whether you’re dolphin watching from driftwood-dotted beaches, bicycling along the shore, or listening to live music on Main Street, Ventura offers its own brand of laidback coastal living.

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.

A decade or so ago, Ventura was a somewhat sleepy, slightly gritty beach town. Old brick buildings housed second-hand shops or eccentric stores such as Things From Heaven, the dusty angel shop with an angry-looking angel mannequin in the window; teen Goths wandered the streets and a tired Holiday Inn overlooked the deserted beach.

What a difference a few years make. Those picturesque historic buildings have become cool boutiques, superb restaurants, wine bars and trendy bistros. The Goths grew up and moved on. The Holiday Inn was renovated and spiffed up, and now waves an upscale Crowne Plaza flag.

The coastal community has undergone an amazing renaissance, but Ventura has not lost its laidback feel. You can still stroll the beach with nary a soul save the occasional dogwalker, and take in the sunset on the old wood pier. Sure - edgy new bars like El Rey Cantina draw crowds, with bras hanging from chandeliers and Velvet Elvis paintings on the walls, but loyal old-timers have filled red-leather booths at The Sportsman since 1950. Thrift stores are now vintage-clothing boutiques, but you can still find great bargains (like the ski jacket I picked up for $2.97 and immediately wore on a windy afternoon).

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