CA Ventura Crowne Plaza Ventura

[DDSeeker]

This is a solid 3* property even though the building screams the 1970s.  The property is ocean front and I believe every room is an ocean view room.  Desk clerk was friendly and accommodating.  Offered us a slightly larger room on the third floor which we happily accepted.  Room had a small balcony and our room had folding chairs to use if we wanted to.  The roof of the lobby was directly below our room, but honestly, the focal point of the view was the ocean.  We slept a couple of nights with the balcony door slightly open to let in cool air.

 

Our room abutted the elevators, but we never heard a sound from them.  The hotel itself is adjacent to railroad tracks with frequent commuter trains in the morning.  For the most part, we never heard the trains either -- even with the window open.  The city must have noise reduction hours because the trains would blow their horns about 8:00 a.m. but not before.  That didn't bother us as we were heading out the door at that time to make the most of the day.

 

Parking is $12 / day.  There is a city owned parking garage immediately east of the hotel for slightly less.  We didn't see it in time since we arrived at night, but cost conscious Better Bidders might consider that option to save $4 / day.

 

Nearby activities not to be missed:

 

1.  Take a boat ride to the Channel Islands.  We went to Santa Cruz Island and had a wonderful hike with spectacular views.   Be sure to take and liberally apply sunscreen.  Nearly everyone on our boat got to see the Island Fox, a species only found on the Channel Islands.  On the boat ride back, the captain spotted a whale and maneuvered the boat to give the passengers a better view.  Loved the two-fer of a trip to the Channel Islands and a whale watching trip.

 

2.  Be sure to take a side trip to Carpinteria Bluffs at exit 85 in Carpinteria.  Head west on the trail that parallels the railroad tracks.  When the trail ends, cross the railroad tracks even if it feels you shouldn't.  You'll soon be at a bluff overlooking a group of harbor seals.  We were lucky enough to see a whale offshore during our May 2014 visit.