About Ventura
Ventura is a small city on the central California coastline, about 63 miles from Los Angeles and 29 miles from Santa Barbara. The long stretches of beaches and ocean views are a constant attraction for tourists and help give the entire city a laid-back vibe and charm. Mountain lovers have the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Los Padres National Forest to balance out the natural beauty of the city.
The city has been growing ever since the Spanish founded it as a mission in 1782, and today it boasts a population of over 110,000. Many businesses call Ventura home, in addition to the tourism economy. These include Patagonia, Kaiser Permanente, and Petunia Pickle Bottom (they make diaper bags, check it out).
Production Space Options in Ventura
The city may be known as a tourist destination, but there are many reasons to consider production space options in Ventura. Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Pearl Jam, Johnny Cash, and many others have played Ventura, either at the Ventura County Fair or the Majestic Ventura Theater, so you know this town understands artists’ needs.
- Catering
Catering companies in Ventura have long served the various needs of the tourists, businesses, and stars coming in for major events. They serve a variety of cuisines and can help with any catering project, from one meal to several days of meals over the course of a shoot.
- Furniture Rentals
You want to feel like you’re in Ventura and a beach community while you’re here, not some cookie-cutter space you could find anywhere else. The furniture and equipment rental companies can customize your production space to meet your tastes while incorporating the beach community-style too.
- Transportation
It seems like it always comes down to transportation, and maybe that’s because if you can’t get to your production space, nothing else happens. The major airports in California make travel easier, and a multitude of private transportation companies serve the city.
Production Space Companies in Ventura
The production space companies in Ventura align with the caterers, rental companies, and private transportation businesses to offer the highest level of service to all their customers.
- Lorraine Lim Catering
Lorraine Lim Catering is a husband-wife team with over 25 years of experience serving Ventura. Their menus include a fiesta menu, barbecue, and Pan Asian. They source local foods, pay extra attention to detail, and can help with planning and logistics for your meals too.
- Steve Kaiser Photo Lighting
Steve Kaiser Photo Lighting can supply your project with lighting, light tents, stands, backgrounds, and all the accessories (think umbrellas, reflectors, sandbags, etc.) that you need in your production space.
- Ventura County Limousine
Ventura County Limousine has the largest fleet of vehicles in southern California and promises to deliver the best service and value. The fleet is more than just limos, and they can also help you plan an adventure and enjoy the area while you’re in town.
Pros and Cons of Production Space in Ventura
What could possibly deter you from a top tourist destination? Well, there actually are some pros and cons of production space in Ventura. These may excite you, or you may want to think on the decision a little longer.
Advantages
- Room with a view
Ventura has it all when it comes to natural beauty – the ocean, the mountains, and a national forest. These all contribute to its attraction for tourists and mean that you’ll have a room with a view, or at least access to a view once you’re done working in your production space each day.
- Location
The natural beauty is just one benefit of the location. The city’s geographic location in central California, and close to both Los Angeles and Santa Barbara make it easy to access and work in. Plus, the business scene in Ventura is continuously growing, and that means the related support industries are growing too.
- Diverse culture
Tourist towns have a lot going for them, including a diverse culture that can appeal to many audiences. Ventura got this memo, and the cultural opportunities, from restaurants to breweries, arts, and entertainment, are as diverse as the city itself. You’ll find plenty to enjoy during your downtime while you’re here.
Disadvantages
- Sticker shock
The prices in Ventura may give you a sticker shock. It’s part of being a tourist destination, but the cost of living is also higher here in general, and this trickles down to everything else. You may think the views, location, and culture are worth the re-budgeting, but that’s a decision you have to make for yourself.
- Public transportation
The public transportation options are more limited in Ventura than they are in other cities. Many here rely on personal or private transportation to get where they need to go. Within the city, residents would rather walk, bike, or buy a car than rely on the public transportation system.
- Traffic
Cause and effect sum these two disadvantages up nicely. The lack of adequate public transportation means there are more private vehicles on the road, and this adds to the already notoriously bad California traffic jams. Plan ahead or expect to spend some time sitting on the pavement.
Famous Locations in Ventura
- Channel Islands National Park
The Channel Islands are a group of five islands off the coast of Southern California. It takes about two hours by boat to get to the islands from the park visitor’s center in Ventura (the boat is chartered with the National Park Service). Once you’re on the islands, there is a lighthouse to hike to on one, caves to explore on another, and an ecological wonderland on all.
- Surfer’s Point at Seaside Park
There’s not much to Seaside Park, a few picnic tables, showers, restrooms, and a small stretch of beach. That’s all you need if you’re a surfer or windsurfer. This park is a favorite among the local surfers, and for the rest of us, it’s a fun place to watch the action. If walking the beach is more your style, head over to Marina Park or Emma Wood State Beach.
- Olivas Adobe Historical Park
The Olivas Adobe was built in 1847 and today the historical park features two adobe homes. The tours of the property help visitors learn about early life in California and experience the early architecture of the area. The history here is unlike other parts of the country and it's fascinating to see how they lived.
