Dinner Plan: Ventura Day Trip

From the driving, to the parking, to the not knowing where to drive or park, dinner in LA is harder than it should be. That’s why we created Dinner Plan — your three-step itinerary to a damn good time.

This week: Paddleboarding and fresh oysters in Ventura. Here’s your plan.

Activity

Ventura is a perfect place to stand-up paddleboard. The water is cleaner and the beautiful, verdant hills roll much closer to the shore. Rent from Paddle Surf Outlet. Never done it? They can teach you in the Ventura Keys, a peaceful harbor lined with stunning homes and killer sailboats. Otherwise, head out into open water; expect dolphins.

Here’s your plan.

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Lunch

A short distance away, in San Buenaventura State Park, is The Jolly Oyster, a blue shack serving Pacifics and Kumamotos, which you can shuck yourself at a picnic table. They have a separate food truck serving all manner of oysters, from panko-fried to baked. After, throw your empties on the piles surrounding the picnic tables. Make a wish.

Pro tip: The Jolly Oyster is BYOB, so grab a steel growler of beer from Institution Ale Co. on the way into town.

Here’s your plan.

Beers

Before hitting the road, duck into Barrelhouse 101, just off the 101, and offering, true to their name, 101 different beers. They also have one of your correspondent’s favorites: Monk’s Flemish Red, a light-bodied sour beer with lots of flavor.

Here’s your plan.