Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Ventura, CA

VENTURA. An enviable location on the pier renders this seafood restaurant a gathering spot for folks of all sorts. Its...

VENTURA. An enviable location on the pier renders this seafood restaurant a gathering spot for folks of all sorts. Its great ocean views also serve as an appropriate backdrop for the array of fresh seafood and shellfish. Steamed clams, salads, and a signature green tortilla-wrapped shrimp roll begin a meal in style, and everything from halibut to lobster shows up in entrees and daily specials. Caldo de pescado, a Spanish fish stew, is a delightful break from the ordinary, and the restaurant's rum bar gains points for novelty as well. Landlubbers will find dishes to suit their constitutions too.

Hours: Daily 11am-Close

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , American Express , Diner's Club

VENTURA. If you're the type who eschews slick establishments and a perfectly-coiffed clientele, you'll feel right at...

VENTURA. If you're the type who eschews slick establishments and a perfectly-coiffed clientele, you'll feel right at home at Sans Souci. The cozy, unassuming place is all about being who you are, whether that's a stool-perched regular or someone checking out the place after a concert at the Majestic (just across the street). Although kicking back and drinking are the official pastimes, an outdoor patio welcomes patrons who want a breath of fresh air, and live bands play on occasion. Affordable drinks and a popular happy hour also please those who check their cares at the door.

Hours: Daily Noon-2am

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , American Express , Diner's Club

VENTURA. Taking on double duty as a well-attended restaurant and busy bar, Winchester's always attracts a fashionable...

VENTURA. Taking on double duty as a well-attended restaurant and busy bar, Winchester's always attracts a fashionable crowd. Its Main Street location ensures a good measure of foot traffic, and its welcoming ambience keeps folks around, laughing and socializing. Dozens of draught beers and a full liquor bar guarantee tasty libations, and the kitchen offers steaks, burgers, seafood, chicken, and a few more exotic alternatives. An outdoor patio and special drink promotions heighten the appeal. A perennial favorite.

Hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-12:30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-1:30am; Sun 11:30am-12:30am

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

VENTURA. A stylish venue, distinguished by bold canvases hung on exposed brick walls and the presence of gleaming...

VENTURA. A stylish venue, distinguished by bold canvases hung on exposed brick walls and the presence of gleaming brewery tanks, Anacapa has been a happy mainstay since its premiere in mid-2000. A great selection of ales (including porters, hefeweizens, and stouts) draws beer aficionados, who also clamor for upscale pub food like fish-and-chips, spare ribs, and beef stroganoff. You'll also find gourmet pizza, salads, steaks, seafood, and hearty sandwiches. A great hang-out day or night.

Hours: Sun-Wed 11:30am-9pm; Thu-Sat 11:30am-Midnight

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

VENTURA. It's hard not to love a pub, what with its instant camaraderie, terrific ales, and hearty food. You'll find all...

VENTURA. It's hard not to love a pub, what with its instant camaraderie, terrific ales, and hearty food. You'll find all of that and more at Victoria, which revels in its British heritage, much to the delight of patrons. Weekends are busiest, thanks to folks who congregate for fun times while they shuffle off work-day woes, but weekend happy hours also draw a sizeable contingent. Along with bottled beers, the place carries a good number of imports and hard ciders on tap. For added distraction, look to dart boards, pool tables, video games, TV events, and live bands.

Hours: Daily 11am-2am

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

WESTLAKE VILLAGE. Comfy wicker chairs, cozy booths, and the inviting glow of oversized light fixtures set the scene at...

WESTLAKE VILLAGE. Comfy wicker chairs, cozy booths, and the inviting glow of oversized light fixtures set the scene at this relaxed hotel bar. A full bar and flat-screen TV accommodate patrons' needs, creating a laid-back atmosphere perfect for a pre-dinner drink. On weekends, the bar is open later, and musical acts often take the stage. If you come hungry, there's plenty on the bar menu, including Thai chicken lettuce wraps, margherita pizza, and a foccacia club sandwich.

Hours: Mon-Tue, Thu 5pm-11pm; Wed 5pm-1pm; Fri 5pm-1:30am; Sat 8pm-1:30am

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club