In the VenturaCountyWest cities of Camarillo, Oxnard, and Ventura, choose from five public golf courses with breathtaking ocean and mountain views. All are about an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles, but they seem much farther away, especially when combined with the pub and restaurant options in the area.
Ventura
For a hearty breakfast at Pete’s Breakfast House Restaurant, which is renowned for its buttermilk pancakes and homemade strawberry jam, arrive in town early. Take in a morning round of golf at Olivas Links, an 18-hole championship golf facility designed by Forrest Richardson. Voted the “Best Municipal Golf Course in the Nation” for the last three years by Golf Week, this 6,818-yard course features a rolling links-style layout defined by seaside grasses and natural habitat. However, you have the option of playing at the Buenaventura course, which is nearby. With a little over 6,000 yards and a par of 70, it places a strong emphasis on course management and is a shot maker’s dream. The course is a step back in time with its traditional 1930s-era shapes and designs. It will be difficult to decide.
Relax at the Aqua Beachfront Bar after lunch. As the name suggests, it is situated directly on the beach and is part of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The afternoon is yours to relax in the sun on the beach or perhaps rent a bike and ride along the bike path along the water. For the best Mediterranean cuisine in the evening, visit the Greek at the Harbor. Visit the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club later to see a standup performance.
Oxnard
Once again, the day starts early with breakfast at Mrs. Olson’s Coffee Hut in Oxnard, about a block from the beach, followed by one of River Ridge’s two lovely golf courses. The Vineyard provides breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean, and Victoria Lakes features gorgeous water features, bent/poa grass greens, and Greg Norman hybrid Bermuda tees and fairways.
Visits to the Mullin Automotive Museum are a great after-golf activity. It is open two Saturdays a month and honors the Art Deco movement in automotive design. There, you can view prize-winning Bugattis, Voisins, Dealges, and other French automobiles from the 1920s to 1940s. Cabo Seafood & Grill serves delicious margaritas, homemade tortillas, and seafood from Mexico in the evening.
Camarillo
To round out your golfing vacation, choose between one of two fantastic courses in Camarillo. Avocado and citrus groves cover the entire area around Sterling Hills in Camarillo. Natural elements on this 18-hole championship golf course make use of the topography naturally present there. At the foot of Conejo Mountain, close to the 101 Freeway, is Camarillo Springs. Towering rock formations and mellow natural springs can be seen from its Ted Robinson-designed vantage point.
Before heading home, top off your weekend with a “blarney burger” and one of 14 beers on tap at Irish bar Brendan’s in Camarillo. Two Irishmen who are the owners and operators of this relatively new restaurant have created a setting resembling the best pubs in Ireland.