Ventura Highway

Casual elegance. The perfect small town. I can't find a flaw in it. I drove up Route 101 on a rainy, cloudy Sunday evening. My heart beat a little faster. At the exit for the pier, I looked left and almost ran off the road... the surf was pounding and crashing...what a sight! I found another exit and doubled back. Residents were all over the beach. And the beach? Closed. Too dangerous. Too achingly beautiful. Too wild and untamed. Once more, I fell silent in the face of nature's glory. I walked the beach and then took the Coast Hwy north for a few miles and straight to the gated entrance for Faria Beach. I hoped someone would exit or enter. I couldn't remember the code and after five years, it's doubtlessly been changed. No such luck. Back on 101 south into town, I exited at California Street, heart of the restaurant area, which leads up to City Hall on the hill. The shots you see at the bottom were taken after sunset. Ventura... I hear "America" and repeat the lyrics.

"Ventura Highway in the sunshine

Where the days are longer

The nights are stronger than moonshine

You're gonna go I know"

Ventura... on my all time short list of favorites. More from Ventura in the daylight....