All The Fun You Can Have on Foot (or Bike!) Living in Ventura

Located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the city of Ventura is a gorgeous seaside town full of natural beauty and historic charm. Ventura has quaint small-town vibes, but it’s packed with various things to do. It’s also one of the more walkable, bikeable, and affordable places to live in California. You’re sure to stay entertained with excellent restaurants, bars, coffee shops, top-rated shopping, and stunning beaches, no matter which neighborhood in Ventura you call home.

Want to bike to your destinations? No problem! Ventura has plenty of bike lanes to help you get around, and the city also offers easy access to public transportation to bring your bike with you on trips to nearby towns.

The main neighborhoods in Ventura are Downtown Ventura, Westside, Midtown, College Area, Pierpont and East Ventura. Below is a breakdown of each area, including WalkScore and Bike Score rankings and tips on fun things to do.

Downtown Ventura (WalkScore: 91; Bike Score: 58)

Downtown Ventura boasts a thriving arts, music, foodie scene, and many vintage shops. This neighborhood has small surf-town vibes and is a family-oriented community. 90% of the businesses in Downtown Ventura are locally owned! The popular Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers Market is within walking distance if you already live downtown, and it’s open year-round!

Westside (Walk Score: 79; Bike Score: 77)

Westside or “The Avenue” is Ventura’s oldest neighborhood, with many older style and Victorian homes. Westside is home to many family-owned businesses that have serviced the community for years. Several improvements have recently been made to transportation corridors, such as Highway 33, which connects the ocean in Ventura to the mountains in Ojai. Head over to Ojai Valley Trail, a nine-mile trail that weaves alongside the Ventura River and is popular among bikers, joggers, and walkers.

Midtown (Walk Score: 79; Bike Score: 74)

Midtown provides easy access to healthcare, as this neighborhood has two major hospitals and several urgent care centers, family practices, specialty clinics, and assisted living communities. Enjoy a night out with the family and walk to one of the many restaurants Midtown offers, such as Paradise Pantry or Midtown Cafe.

College Area (Walk Score: 71; Bike Score: 80)

The College Area of Ventura is home to Ventura College, two high schools, and the UCSB Ventura Center, offering the city’s most diverse range of activities. If you love attending sporting events, this might be the neighborhood for you. Not only does Ventura College host a variety of sporting events, but there are also two regional parks—Camino Real and Arroyo Verde—which are great for sports, picnics, and hiking. Essex’s Pinehurst Apartments are just down the road from Ventura College, within walking distance of the YMCA, Trader Joe’s, and a handful of local cafes and breweries. If you’re looking for a great beer on tap, then walk or bike over to Rincon Brewery and try out a new pilsner, IPA, or stout.

Pierpont (Walk Score: 56; Bike Score: 83)

Pierpont is at the heart of coastal Ventura, with views of the Pacific Ocean and easy access to Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park. This quiet offshore refuge is famous for kayaking and boating, with opportunities to view 27 different species of whales and dolphins and curious California sea lions. Want to enjoy the ocean from shore? Take a bike ride over to San Buenaventura State Beach for a fun day of swimming, surfing, and beach volleyball, or slow down and soak up the sun. After returning to Pierpont, reward yourself with a frozen yogurt treat from Surf N’ Yogurt. You can also take a 16-minute bike ride down to Ventura Harbor via E. Harbor Boulevard and explore the Channel Islands Certified Farmers Market every Sunday.

East Ventura (Walk Score: 52; Bike Score: 45)

East Ventura is a very family-friendly atmosphere with excellent schools and various family-friendly restaurants. Apartments in this area, such as The Lofts at Pinehurst and Woodside Village Apartments, are Essex communities close to Route 126 and the East Ventura Metrolink station for fast connections to the greater Ventura area. If you’re up for an adventure and love tacos, bring your bike on a 12-minute Metro ride to Oxnard and hit the Oxnard Taco Trail, where you can try out the city’s best taco trucks and taquerias. Don’t forget to visit the Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market if you go on a Thursday!

No matter where you live in Ventura, there are places nearby you’re sure to want to visit, all of which can be accessed by walking or biking to the nearest public transportation route or by car.

If the excellent quality of life and cost of living with lots of walkable and bikeable activities—from hiking trails to breweries—seems right for you, then consider these amenity-rich apartments available in Ventura!