Ventura Pier, 668 Harbor Blvd Ventura, CA 93001 Call: Eric Ericssons on the Pier for dining information: (805) 643-4783

Ventura Pier was shortened over 300 feet to its current configuration.

Ventura County Pier 1,620 (1,700 feet long, according to California State Parks) 1996 Wooden, with new steel pilings, originally 1,958 feet long

Ventura Pier, the 8th longest pier in California at 1, 620 feet in length, is a must-visit during drives along the California Coast. The pier includes Eric Ericssons on the Pier restaurant (ericericssons.com) and cocktail - tapas bar for relaxing meals and beverages, and the views of Channel Islands to the west are simply stunning on a clear day. Lunches include mahi-mahi, salmon, swordfish, ono, albacore and other seasonal fish. Non-fish entrees include a cheeseburger, grilled chicken sandwich, vegetable sandwich, and steak sandwich. Prices for lunch begin around $12 (you pay for the views.)

Dinners include the fish options once again, but the prices for dinner start around $20.

Upstairs in the Tapas Bar is a lighter menu with items such as a cup of soup or french fries starting around $5.

Like all California public piers, you can fish for free on the pier so you will often see fishermen tending to one or several lines, and sometimes reeling in a big fish.

A fantastic hotel overlooking the Ventura Pier, Crowne Plaza Hotel, has many rooms that offer Ventura Pier views. The pier is never more than a few hundred yards distance from the hotel. There's also a sand playground at the base of the pier where kids can swing.

Especially interesting on the pier are informative photos detailing the history of the pier and Ventura surroundings. Benches provide places to sit and relax on the pier so you can really soak in the local scene, watch people wander by on a sunny day, admire the vistas as you gaze inland to Ventura's hills.

The pier contains a bait & tackle shop, snack shop, and souvenir gift store. Surrounding the pier is San Buenaventura State Beach.

Other accommodations in Ventura include a unique church transformed into a B&B. Be sure to check out Victorian Rose B&B.