Ventura [San Buenaventura, actually] seems to be one of those destinations that has everything but a great place to stay -- the reverse of what one finds at classic MudHoles.

We stay at the Four Points Sheraton -- a down-by-the-heels large and wooden motel built in the eighties by disciples of Frank Lloyd Wright (1050 Schooner Drive -- 805.658.1212).  We would like to find someplace else, eventhough this has the best location with regard to Ventura Harbor (southwest of Ventura, on 101).

More specifically, the Sheraton:

• Built originally as the Harbortown Resort & Club
• Opened December 1983
• Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Associated Architects

Alternatives might include:

• Pierpont Inn, built in 1908 with 73 rooms. 550 Sanjon Road www.pierpontinn.com 800.285.4667 (but on the inland side of the 101); there are a few cottages and odd bits of construction ("The Fifties Flat") in addition to the main wings of rooms.  We would caution you to be cognizant of the ambient freeway traffic noise in the quaint patio areas before booking.
• Bella Maggiore Inn, built in the 1920's with 28 rooms.  67 South California Street  800.523.8479  (downtown Ventura); a B & B or a hotel, depending upon your viewpoint.  The Patio restaurant, Nona's, is very romantic.
• There's a timeshare on a promontory at the Ventura Harbor, but probably not available to non-members (the front desk staff was a little uppity when we inquired).

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WHEN TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE:

• If whale-watching is why you come here, then February can be good, with new-born calves sometimes seen Mid-February through March.  The weather will be cool.
• If driving north from Los Angeles, take the Los Olivos Exit from the 101.  (Alert & local resident Judy Oberlander says these directions could confuse many.  She suggests taking the Seaward Exit, then take Harbor Boulevard to the harbor -- she should know!)

MAPQUEST: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=ventura&state=CA&address=1050+schooner+drive&zip=93001&country=us&level=6

Dining is very convenient and casual near Ventura Harbor.  Lunch is delightful on the patio of Le Petit Cafe & Bakery; service is sometimes appropriately diffident and lunch service ceases most days at 3pm (and is closed Mondays).  Soups, fruit plates, and breads are particularly good.  Open for breakfast as well, and closes early for dinner.

We have also enjoyed lively entertainment (Laurie reminds me that the waiters are quite handsome) at The Greek at the Harbor; open seven days.  We recently tried Scotch & Sirloin; the food was very good here as well.  Oddly, this restaurant has the best views of moored boats, but specializes in (as the name implies) beef and scotch.....  Nary a stuffed flounder mounted on the walls, either.

The harbor also accommodates a jazz cafe, an Italian restaurant, a comedy cafe, obligatory seafood, etc.  A little further inland, we have also enjoyed the Old Vienna Restaurant.

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We last visited this property in August 2003 and 2002 before that.