Spring Road Trip with Mom

Pack your bags and bring the mom(s) in your life to Ventura County Coast for a pampering, delicious escape. It’s time to create meaningful memories together while making the most of Ventura County Coast’s signature local vibes! Treat her to relaxed days filled with rewarding shopping strolls, palate-pleasing wine tastings and rejuvenating outdoor excursions. We’ve outlined a collection of trip ideas to help you spoil the #1 ladies in your life.

4 Days, 40 Miles

Ventura County Coast is accessible from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Start: Camarillo
End: Ventura
Coming from the north? Flip the itinerary!

Don’t forget to tag your photos with #VCCVIBES and #VCCGOODVIBES

Destination: Ventura

Morning Feast

Enjoy a celebratory Mother’s Day Brunch any day of the week at Cafe Nouveau, a sweet restaurant set in a charming 1920’s Spanish bungalow. (The maple bacon beignets are a must to start!) Also open daily, Immigrant Son Caffe puts a delicious Italian spin on breakfast and lunch fare, with dishes like breakfast lasagna and parmesan polenta.

Looking for lunch options? Stroll on over to Rumfish y Vino or Paradise Pantry for small plates and a glass of local wine. Make sure to visit the newly opened Mother’s Tacos, where the craft margaritas and agua frescas pair perfectly with street-style tacos, birria ramen, and loaded fries.

📸: @lysseats805 via Immigrant Son Caffe

Garden Glory

If mom enjoys the outdoors, or even a perfect instagramable moment, visit the Ventura Botanical Gardens for a walk to remember. The 107-acre gardens are home to a collection of more than 30,000 plants and the views of the Topa Topa Mountains and Channel Islands are just as spectacular. Keep the walking tour going with a bonus stop at the Old Mission Basilica San Buenaventura.

Extend your stay and vista the Channel Islands National Park. An all day experience filled with wildlife, spring blooms, stunning views, and peaceful quality time.

📸: Ventura Botanical Gardens

Harbor Walkabout

Ventura Harbor Village is the perfect place to wrap up your getaway. You can browse the shops and get out on the water in a Duffy boat or kayak. Then settle in for dinner at one of the lively harbor restaurants like Margarita Villa, where the margaritas are excellent, naturally! If the Mediterranean flavors of Greek cuisine call to you more than Mexican, head to The Greek. Before dinner, consider enjoying a tasting flight or glass of California coastal wine at Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, a waterfront tasting room offering scenic views and sustainably produced wines. Don’t leave the harbor without asking someone to take your family photo by the “I LOVE THE SEA” sign for the perfect memento of your trip.

Plan Your Trip

Eat and drink in Ventura
Learn more about Ventura
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Destination: Oxnard

Perk Up

Put a pep in her step with a fine cup of coffee or tea at one of Oxnard locals’ go-to coffee spots. Honey Cup Coffee House & Creamery is just as well known for their made-to-order Egg-Cellent Croissant breakfast sandwich as they are for their coffees. Ragamuffin Roasters is a solid choice for ethically sourced coffee drinks, pastries and savory toasts.

📸: Honey Cup Coffee House

Shop & Stroll

If it was Ragamuffin Roasters that called to you, you’ll find yourself at The Collection at Riverpark shopping and entertainment complex, which is always a fun spot to browse around. In addition to shopping, you can be playfully competitive over a bowling match, get crafty at an art studio or catch a bargain matinee at the cinema. And when hunger strikes, there’s always Yard House, a trusted locals favorite.

Sip, Swirl & Savor

Dedicate your afternoon to wine tasting. Herzog Wine Cellars is a state-of-the-art winemaking facility created by the Herzog family, whose viticultural tradition is now in the eighth generation’s hands. Taste more than 25 different wines then rehash the day over dinner at their restaurant, Tierra Sur, which offers a highly rated four-course prix fixe dining experience.

Hit Strey Cellars, who pair their California wines with great vibes, live music and food trucks—all on their big outdoor patio with umbrellas to shade you from the afternoon sun. “In wine there is truth” is the motto over at Magnavino Cellars, offering a villa-inspired tasting room and big, bold wines made with grapes sourced largely from vineyards in Lodi. Tip: Be sure to check each business website for hours of operation.

Plan Your Trip

Eat and drink in Oxnard
Learn more about Oxnard
Learn more about Channel Islands National Park
Learn more about Island Packers
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Destination: Port Hueneme

Soak Up the Sun

Get your Vitamin D infusion naturally with a day spent at the beach in Port Hueneme. Rent beach cruisers or a surrey from the Wheel Fun Rentals location at the Holiday Inn Express, and take a spin along the waterfront. Walk along the pier and watch the fisherman reel in their catch, or simply relax on the beach with a good book.

Dine By the Sea

You can’t go wrong with lunch, happy hour or dinner at Surfside Seafood. The waterfront restaurant is famous for its clam chowder and the local halibut fish and chips. They have a range of tacos, burgers and salads as well as noodles and veggie stir fries, so there are plenty of options for those who don’t love seafood—and everyone can enjoy the relaxed seaside ambiance.

Plan Your Trip

Learn more about Port Hueneme
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Destination: Camarillo

Go Shopping

Start the trip on a shopper’s high note hunting for amazing finds at Camarillo Premium Outlets. With over 150 stores and a wide range of brands to choose from, it’s the perfect place to refresh your wardrobes—and feel extra good knowing you’re getting the best value. Have her create a wish list of shops she’d like to check out in advance so you can map out a shopping game plan to make the experience feel seamless.

Bliss Out

Carve out time for a late afternoon pampering session. Surprise mom with a massage-facial combo at Plush Med-Spa followed by a man-pedi at House of Polish—with extra foot massage, because you know she deserves it!

Graze Around

Begin your day with breakfast at Cafe Ficelle, a charming spot known for its French-inspired pastries and brunch fare. For lunch, savor a flavorful bowl at Kraft Vermicelli, where Vietnamese classics are served with a modern twist, or enjoy fresh, coastal Mexican cuisine at Rosa Madera, a stylish eatery with bold flavors and a relaxed ambiance.

Make dinner a dine around experience. Start your evening over a dozen oysters and a drink Lure Fish House. Share your next few courses at Slate Bistro, where the sushi is just as tempting as the salads and entrees. Cap the night off with an artisanal gelato at Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, a delightful dessert café.