Ventura - Premier Visitors Guide 2007-2008 - (Page 12) THE WESTSIDE around town The SoHo of Ventura Centered around Ventura Avenue et along the banks of the Ventura River, the eclectic, artsy, culturally diverse Westside bubbles with creative energy. In the early Mission days, the first settlers set up camp and built homes here. Later, the Westside served as a hub for Ventura’s booming oil industry—in 1925, the Ventura Avenue oil field was among the most productive in the nation. Later, the area became an important agricultural and industrial zone. Today, community revitalization projects are enabling the Westside to shine once again as a glittering gem in the city’s crown. Dozens of artists have established studios and galleries in this neighborhood. mance space, a retail store, and art education rooms. Be sure to stop at 606 Ventura Ave., where you can view highlights of Ventura Avenue’s rich history in Sally Weber’s “Avenue Library Murals at Casa de Anza.” Included here is Catherine Day’s “Portrait of a Neighborhood.” Over at 31 Peking St., Pacific Stoneworks (648-4098, www.pacificstoneworks.com) offers an amazing ensemble of craftsmen working in marble, granite and natural stone. A few blocks away at 197 Dubbers St., Art City Studios (648-1690, www.artcitystudios.com) showcases resident and guest artists works, primarily stone sculpture but also painting and photography. S Nature Tour Explore the Ventura River Trail, which follows the Ventura River from Main Street to Foster Park, 6.3 miles inland. Public art installations along the route and natural scenic beauty enhance the trail, which was designed for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Ventura River Trail links with the Ojai Valley Trail, which continues 10 miles from Foster Park to Ojai, and the Omer Rains Trail, which follows the coastline to the Ventura Pier. For one of the best urban bike rides in Southern California, ride the 17 miles from the Ventura Pier all the way to Ojai. To rent a bike, call Ventura Bike Depot (239 W. Main St., 652-1114 or 340-BIKE) or Wheel Fun Rentals (850 Harbor Blvd., 650-7770, www.wheelfunrentals.com). They rent tandems, recumbents, children’s bikes, beach cruisers, mountain bikes, quadricycles, three-wheelers and many other bike accoutrements. Free delivery for full-day bike rentals. The renovated Bell Arts Factory is open to the public and includes artists’ studios, gallery and performance space, a coffee shop, retail stores and community classrooms. Dining Destinations Take a break at Django’s, a popular neighborhood coffee house (2271 N. Ventura Ave., 648-5467). Hungry for more? Antojo, (920 N. Ventura Ave., 641-3682) literally translated means “cravings” and serves authentic Mexican food. Stop in at Johnny’s Mexican Food a local favorite for the best Mexican take-out (176 N. Ventura Ave., 648-2021). Art Tour As you head up Ventura Avenue, the heart of the Westside, you’ll find a number of galleries. At Stoneworks Studios Gallery (300 N. Ventura Ave., 643-5431, www.stoneworksstudios.com) you can see sculpture by local artists and learn about the sculpting process. The Bell Arts Factory, occupies the former Bell Mattress Factory site (432 N. Ventura Ave., 643-1960, www.bellartsfactory.org). The renovated complex houses 40 artist’s studios, gallery/perfor12 VENTURA VISITORS GUIDE COURTESY THE BELL ARTS FACTORY http://www.pacificstoneworks.com http://www.artcitystudios.com http://www.wheelfunrentals.com http://www.stoneworksstudios.com http://www.bellartsfactory.org
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