Local Vibe: Alex Hong

We love Ventura County Coast, but we’re not the only ones! Find out what makes this area so special from the people who know it best.  Our “Local Vibe” stories provide an insider’s look at the region as we learn about favorite places to eat, shop, play and explore as well as tips on what to bring when you visit.

Meet: Alex Hong

Did you grow up here or end up here? I grew up in the foothills of Ventura and have been a Ventura County resident all 30 years of my life.

Do you own a business located in Ventura County Coast? I own Coastal Cone & The Parlor in the Ventura Harbor Village.

Tell us about your business. Coastal Cone and The Parlor is an oceanfront ice cream and burger shop. The family-friendly location has two storefronts in one location, and shares the same waterside patio. Coastal Cone specializes in: homemade waffle cones, 40+ mouthwatering ice cream flavors, 6 custom batch soft serve flavors including the famous Dole Pineapple Whip, homemade waffle cones, fish-shaped Taiyaki pastries, sundaes, shakes, malts, and banana splits. Our burger shop, The Parlor, specializes in burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, espresso drinks, and malts! We are famously known for our homemade waffle cones, fish-shaped pastries, Dole Pineapple Whip, and let’s not forget our ice cream specially made for dogs!

Why did you base your business in Ventura County Coast?  Although we did not start the business, my family wanted to find a beach casual location that felt like home to us. For us, Ventura Harbor was considered our second home. My mom would take my twin brother and me to Coastal Cone every weekend since we were the age of one

Did you go to school in Ventura County Coast? Since preschool, I’ve attended our local Ventura County schools – Poinsettia Elementary School, Tierra Linda Elementary School, Las Colinas Middle School, Camarillo High School. After graduating from Camarillo High School, I received my Bachelor’s degree at California State University, Northridge.

My favorite thing about Ventura County Coast is the geographic location. – Alex Hong

The Inside Scoop

What is your favorite thing about Ventura County Coast? My favorite thing about Ventura County Coast is the geographic location. You can either go hiking or bike the hills of Ventura, head to the Ventura Harbor for views of the Channel Islands, and then enjoy the nightlife in Downtown Ventura. Where else can you go to the mountains, islands, and enjoy time in the city in one day?

If someone is planning a visit to Ventura County Coast, what are five things you recommend they pack for the trip?

  1. Beach towel
  2. Puppy (Ventura County Coast is extremely dog-friendly!)
  3. Sunscreen
  4. Sun umbrella
  5. Surfboard / bodyboard
    (not in a certain order)

What is your favorite restaurant in Ventura County Coast? Besides Coastal Cone & The Parlor, my favorite restaurant would be Andria’s Seafood in the Ventura Harbor Village. It has been a childhood favorite every weekend. You can’t go wrong with homemade battered fish and chips, their in-house clam chowder, and special tartar sauce recipe.  

What 5 things would you recommend someone do when visiting Ventura County Coast?

  1. Try Andria’s Seafood’s fish and chips and homemade clam chowder
  2. Book a day trip to the Channel Islands with Island Packers
  3. Rent a boat from Ventura Boat Rentals
  4. Check out the small boutique shops in Downtown Ventura
  5. Sunbathe on the clean Ventura County Coast beaches

Please explain your perfect day in Ventura County Coast. Take a hike and enjoy the ocean views from Arroyo Verde Park, grab lunch from Andria’s Seafood in the Ventura Harbor, enjoy an ice cream cone at Coastal Cone, and rent a kayak from Ventura Boat Rentals.

Business Information: Coastal Cone & The Parlor

Physical Address:
1583 Spinnaker Drive #104 Ventura, CA 93001
Website: www.coastalcone.com
Phone Number: (805) 658-2837

GRAB A SCOOP

Visit Alex at Coastal Cone

Book Your Stay

Visit these regions of Ventura County Coast

Visit California
Camarillo
Oxnard
Ventura
Port Hueneme
Channel Islands National Park

Regions

Ventura County Coast

Ventura County Coast is a string of four communities that radiate warmth from welcoming people and California sunshine. The region embodies the casual and active spirit of classic, where the seafood is fresh, the beer is handcrafted and the weather is the kind you dream about. Spend the day exploring miles of beaches, incredible harbors or lush green golf courses. Hop on a boat for a day trip to the Channel Islands National Park, where you can see breathtaking views of the Southern California coastline. With a bustling culture, high end and vintage shopping, a lively culinary spirit and beautiful outdoor experiences, Ventura County Coast calls on every visitor to find their vibe. From hiking and biking to sailing and snorkeling, from shopping and dining to just plain relaxing, Ventura County Coast will fill your days with a lifetime of memories.

Camarillo

Camarillo

An hour north of Los Angeles, Camarillo is nestled at the base of the Conejo foothills surrounded by verdant green fields and cool ocean breezes. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, enjoy Camarillo alfresco. From outdoor shopping and concerts, to delicious dining and fun events, Camarillo has it all. With small town charm and a rich history, it is the place for romantic weddings and corporate venues. Visit the historical sites and museums during the day, and walk along Old Town for dinner and drinks at night. A great getaway for everyone, Camarillo is the ideal place to Come for the Sun, Stay for the Fun.

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Oxnard

Oxnard

Rally your tribe and head for the Central Coast. California cool, panorama-perfect, culturally authentic and vibrant beyond measure. Oxnard is home to miles of pristine white sand beaches, electric nightlife, some of the best taquerias in the state, historic Victorian era architecture, the California Strawberry Festival, and an expansively picturesque harbor that serves as the closest access point to the Channel Islands National Park. Just sixty miles northwest of LAX and in close proximity to Santa Barbara and other major destinations, Oxnard is one of California’s best kept secrets.

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Ventura

Ventura

A place that embodies a casual soul and unexpected allure, Ventura is a vibrant town that checks stress and pretense at the door.  Its artistic culture, enduring history and privileged locale is crazy-inviting, very much alive, and refreshingly human.

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Port Hueneme

Port Hueneme

Just sixty miles northwest of Los Angeles, in the heart of the Central Coast, you’ll find Port Hueneme, the friendly city by the sea. Port Hueneme is the place for travelers looking to dig their toes in the sand, take a long walk, drop a fishing line off the pier or just kick back and relax. With walking and biking trails winding throughout the city and a perfect climate almost year round, you can revive your soul in Hueneme.

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Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is an American national park that consists of five of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of the U.S. state of California, in the Pacific Ocean.

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