Given the opportunity, I'd happily journey everyplace by train. Luckily, I live in Southern California, anywhere I can effortlessly examine neighborhoods up and downward the shoreline via the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.
This beautiful coastal train runs all the way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, and I've discovered lots of cool towns and cities merely by exploring the stops alongside the route. One of my favorites is the city of Ventura: It's an easy, $22 day trip from my nearest train position in Los Angeles.
Ventura is a historic coast town north of LA alongside a prosperity of attractions, from relaxing, surfer-laden beaches to eclectic buying and delicious food.
The train journey to Ventura is abbreviated and affordable
A one-way ticket from the Hollywood Burbank Airport position expenses fair $22 and gets me to Ventura inside an hr and a half.
One of the perks of traveling by Amtrak, alternatively of by car or bus, is the café car experience. If I don't have period for Starbucks in the morning, I'll catch a coffee and a vegetarian dawn meal burrito alongside cheese, eggs, and potatoes (and afterward douse it in hot condiment or ketchup).
I additionally affection that Ventura's coast is fair a obstacle from the train station. This method I don't have to pay for parking or combat for a fine beachside spot.
The coast is typically the archetypal location I go upon arriving. I stroll south toward the pier, downward the paved mall that runs alongside Surfers Point.
Sometimes, I'll roam the pier and get a seafood taco or elote from Beach House Tacos. But usually, I fair sit in the dirt alongside a fine publish and lounge for an hr or so, relaxing in the sun.
Before I depart the beach, I akin to indulge my inner kid and use the sway at the small playground correct on the sand. Swinging toward the sea continually makes me awareness akin I could soar correct complete the waves.
Downtown Ventura is complete of thrift shops and quirky small businesses
One of my favorite reasons to obtain a day trip to Ventura at all (besides the beach) is to go thrifting. The downtown area, particularly Main Street, has a plethora of vintage and thrift shops.
Coalition Thrift Store is continually at the top of my list. It has an incredible, fairly priced choice of the two contemporary and vintage pieces. I run a vintage shop on Etsy and origin several of my finds from there.
I'm additionally a huge bookworm, so the used bookstore, The Calico Cat Bookshop, and love narrative novel shop Smitten are normally next on my list.
From award-winning seafood tacos to tiki drinks, Ventura has a awesome food and beverage scene
When hunger strikes, I'll normally catch several pub grub at among the gastropubs in the area, akin Finney's Crafthouse. I'm additionally a fan of Spencer Makenzie's, which has a seafood taco that locals voted finest in Ventura. Eating seafood whenever I'm next to the sea is a must.
Depending on my mood afterward in the day, I'll either catch a fun beverage at VenTiki Lounge to chill out or a vanilla chai from Palermo Coffee & Gifts as a pick-me-up.
My final halt of the day, however, is continually Tony's Pizzaria, fair a obstacle from the train station. I'll catch a piece of dairy merchandise pizza for my trip home.
My favorite part is spending a day without driving
Ventura is specified a great day trip because, dissimilar most of LA, it's uncomplicated to examine on foot. I can get my steps in, afterward unwind alongside my feet up on the train journey home.
If I'm taking the train following 8 p.m., I power equal treat myself to a cocktail during Amtrak's after-hours blessed hour, item that's unattainable to do during driving.
By the period I get rear to LA, I've squeezed a coast day, several shopping, and plentifulness of fine seafood into a 12-hour day trip — all without always having to set ft in a car.
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Liana Minassian is an LA-based amusement and manner writer. She chiefly covers food and journey for Business Insider. Her articles have additionally been published in The Everygirl, ScreenRant, The Daily Meal, Food Revolution Network, and others. She’s additionally a published poet, the author of two self-published poesy and photography zines, and an occasional movie producer. Find her on Instagram or TikTok @lianawoodandvine.
