The Roadways of Ventura, California: A Local’s Transportation Guide

As a seaside community in Southern California, Ventura offers scenic highways, bustling thoroughfares, and peaceful side streets perfect for beach cruisers. This guide provides locals and visitors key information on navigating Ventura by road.

Major Highways and Routes

Ventura rests along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and is intersected by several state routes, providing convenient regional access.

Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1)

This famous stretch of Highway 1 hugs the Pacific coastline as it passes through Ventura along oceanfront promenades and provides stunning coastal views.

Key Highlights:

• Runs parallel to beaches through downtown and midtown
• Main oceanfront drag is home to shops, restaurants, parks
• Connects to Santa Barbara and Oxnard/LA metro area

Highway 101

As the major north-south freeway route in Ventura, Hwy 101 offers speedy regional travel inland through agricultural areas.

Key Highlights:

• Fast route to Santa Barbara and LA, bypassing PCH
• Main connector to junctions with other highways
• Travels past Ventura County Fairgrounds and Government Center

Highway 33

The Ojai Freeway starting in Ventura heads north through hills and valleys toward Ojai offering vistas of Lake Casitas and Los Padres National Forest.

Key Highlights:

• Leads to recreation areas like Lake Casitas and Ojai Valley trail
• Route to inland mountain communities and towns
• Overlooks picturesque valleys and rural landscapes

Highway 126

As the main east-west corridor, Hwy 126 links Ventura across the Santa Clara River Valley to Santa Paula and Interstate 5.

Key Highlights:

• Access to Santa Paula downtown and heritage sites
• Travels by berry farms and citrus groves
• Connector to metro areas like Santa Clarita

Major Surface Streets and Thoroughfares

In addition to highways, several main surface streets efficiently move traffic through commercial and residential zones.

Main Street

The primary east-west route crossing Ventura with shops, restaurants, and civic sites.

Key Highlights:

• Pedestrian-friendly downtown drag for strolling
• Location of shopping centers like Pacific View Mall
• Home to Ventura City Hall, Mission San Buenaventura

Telephone Road

A major east-west thoroughfare in Midtown Ventura lined with big box stores and auto dealerships.

Key Highlights:

• Main retail corridor outside downtown
• Location of large stores like Target, Home Depot
• Section of Old Highway 101 Business Route

Thompson Boulevard

North-south road starting in downtown leading to residential neighborhoods and schools.

Key Highlights:

• Lined with mom-and-pop eateries and shops
• Leads to parks and schools north of highway
• Access to Island Packers cruise terminal

Victoria Avenue

Tree-lined north-south avenue intermingled between neighborhoods and shopping centers culminating at scenic hillside drive along foothills.

Key Highlights:

• Boutique shops and cafes dots the road
• Path through historic midtown districts
• Scenic drive past hillside homes and views

Scenic and Historic Drives

Beyond the main roads, Ventura has peaceful, picturesque side routes perfect for Sunday cruises.

Foothill Road

Wending drive along the Ventura Hills lined with citrus groves on one side and stunning ocean vistas on the other.

Key Highlights:

• Lookouts provide panoramic coastal views
• Flanked by agricultural plots and ranches
• Photo opportunities atop hillsides

Shell Road

Venerable historic avenue running behind Ventura’s original 1920s and 30s neighborhoods noted for unique cottages and bungalows.

Key Highlights:

• Cruise by historic early 20th century homes
• Access to Surfers Point at Seaside Park
• Part of annual Ventura Shell Fiesta tour

Rincon Parkway

Coastal route traveling past the mouth of the Ventura River, over sand dunes, leading to Emma Wood State Beach.

Key Highlights:

• Winds along the wetlands and river delta
• Beach access and ocean viewpoint stops
• Section runs along Surfers Beach

Channel Islands Boulevard

Harbor-area drive offering vistas of the estuary leading to Ventura Harbor restaurants and Channel Islands National Park Headquarters.

Key Highlights:

• Path around Ventura Harbor for dining/boating
• Views of the harbor inlet and marina traffic
• Access point to Island Packers cruises

Bridges Spanning the Ventura River

The Ventura River cuts through town requiring several key bridges for crossing which also provide scenic outlooks.

Main Street Bridge

Historic 1926 arched concrete bridge crossing the Ventura River mouth lined with restaurants, shops, concerts in adjacent park.

Key Highlights:

• Walkways connect Seaside Park promotions
• Spot for watching surfers and sunsets
• Close to downtown amenities

California Street Bridge

Principal 4-lane route from downtown to points eastward over the Ventura River lined by tall palms offering river view.

Key Highlights:

• Gateway bridge to midtown districts
• Flanked by community gardens
• Photo stop for riverbed vistas

Stanley Avenue Bridge

Two-lane thoroughfare from Highway 33 traversing the narrow tree-lined Ventura River gorge over looking swimming hole.

Key Highlights:

• Next to Family Fun Center/campgrounds
• Route east past hillside homes
• Spot for watching river commotion

###Emma Wood State Beach Road Bridge

Short bridge on Emma Wood Park road with access to riverside camping and beaches through cottonwood forest.

Key Highlights:

• Entry point for RV camping/fishing
• Path under bridge to beach below
• Launch point to coastal bike path

Bike Lanes and Routes

Ventura is very bike friendly, particularly along these dedicated lanes allowing beach cruisers, commuters and racers plenty of room.

Beachfront Promenade

Flat, wide pedestrian and bike boulevard extending along the beach through Surfer’s Point, Marina Park, Seaside Wilderness Park with benches and lookouts.

Key Highlights:

• Ideal for slow family beach rides
• Access to parks and downtown
• Most scenic coastal bike route

Johnson Drive Bike Route

Placid throughway with designated lane running parallel to the beach through midtown residential districts.

Key Highlights:

• Peaceful bike commuter-friendly lane
• Links to Omer Rains Bike Path
• Serves Ventura and Buena High Schools

Main Street Bike Lane

Dedicated lane for casual riders along downtown Ventura’s Main Street accessing shops, restaurants and civic venues.

Key Highlights:

• Ability to safely ride and park downtown
• Connector to beach path and Pierpont Inn
• Accessible bike parking stations

Ventura River Trail

Peaceful 6-mile paved bike and pedestrian greenbelt pathway running along the Ventura River through forests, meadows and wetlands.

Key Highlights:

• Mountain bikes welcome on dirt cut-throughs
• Interpretive signs describe ecology
• Trailhead at Foster Park with amenities

That covers the major routes for navigating Ventura by road along with some scenic detours perfect for Sunday cruising. Let me know if you need any other local transportation tips or details!