Category: Food & Dining

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Business Fashion & Retail Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Student Life at VC

Best Ventura County Hidden Gem

If you have been looking for the perfect coffee shop in Ventura County let me introduce you to Heritage Coffee & Gifts. This family owned coffee shop is located on 210 W 7th Street in Oxnard, California. You can find it as one of the many establishments in Heritage Square. It is owned and managed by Fernando and Teresa Larios and their son Carlos Larios. They offer specialty espresso and coffee drinks, as well as sandwiches and pastries.

While I was here, I ordered two drinks and a sandwich to really try this place out and give it an honest review. The drinks that I ordered were a honey lavender latte and a turmeric latte. I also got their caprese panini.

I decided on the honey lavender latte (pictured on the left) because the barista said that one was her favorite, so I had to give it a try. I loved that it was not overly sweet. I find that a lot of coffee places have overly sweet drinks where you can barely taste the coffee. This drink had the perfect subtle sweet with a dash of florals from the lavender. I can definitely see why this was one of her favorites.

I ordered the turmeric latte (pictured above on the right) because I had never seen or heard of anything like that before. I was so intrigued that I had to try it. I’m surprised to say it was really good. I thought it was not going to taste the best because turmeric is generally supposed to have a warm, bitter, earthy taste to it. I can definitely pick up hints of that but in a good way. The warmth was very slight and after the first few sips you could barely notice it. I quite enjoyed the earthy taste of it. I’d say the turmeric latte is on the same level of earthy flavor as a Thai tea would be.

I very much enjoyed both of those drinks and would get them again. I got my drinks with oat milk instead of cows milk and I am so thankful that they had other options. As someone who is both vegetarian and lactose intolerant, I am grateful when places have accommodations.

In addition to the drinks, I also got their caprese panini which has pesto, mozzarella cheese, and sun dried tomatoes on sourdough bread. The panini was freshly made to order so it was warm and melty. The bread was toasted to perfection with satisfying char marks on the side. Honestly one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a while. There is something to great when a simple recipe is done well.

I had the pleasure of getting to speak to Mr. Carlos Larios (owner/manager) when I went into the store to try it out. He was very kind and a great conversationalists. We started talking about what exactly they sell, when he said something that made me smile.

“More than anything, we really want to create a friendly and welcoming environment for everyone who comes in.”

I can say that they 100% accomplish that feeling. From the second I stepped foot inside, the room was filled with people talking and laughing. There was only one open table, which told me that business was going well. What makes this place feel so homey and unique is because it is in an actual house. All of Heritage Square is made of old houses turned into shops or businesses. The coffee shop is where a front living room would essentially be. Make sure to check out the video below to get a peak of what the inside looks like.

Inside, there is a fire place with a TV above it that plays calming and relaxing music on Spotify so people can see what they are listening to. In front of the fireplace is a coffee table that is surrounded by sofas. It really helps to bring that warm and welcoming feeling in. It truly does feel like you just stepped into someone’s home. They even have a counter designated for other local businesses cards so their customers can see and take them. The video also highlights the gift shop that is connected to the coffee shop. The gift shop features all handmade items. Some of them were even made by the owner Teresa Larios.

If you are in the area, this place is a can’t miss! I might have found my new favorite go to spot and I can’t wait to try out the other things they have to offer. Make sure to also follow them on their social media, linked below.

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Advice Arts & Entertainment Business Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Nature & Outdoors Student Life at VC

Livin’ Large on Laundry Money

Broke… but romanticizing it.

You might be like most college students, experiencing a specific type of broke that comes in the form of realizing that you have exactly enough money for gas… and maybe laundry. Between classes, textbooks, and trying to have some sort of social life, “fun” starts to feel like a luxury you might not be able to afford.

So I decided to test something: Could I spend and entire day exploring Ventura with just $20?

In the words of Sia, “I love cheap thrills.” This challenge felt like the perfect way to find them. The day started as a budgeting experiment but became a reminder that Ventura is uniquely suited for inexpensive fun. We’ve got ocean views that don’t cost a thing, locally owned coffee shops that still feel personal, and small businesses that remember your face.

Preparation: What you actually need

Before setting out, I kept it simple- A $20 bill, a jacket (because Ventura is a bit unpredictable sometimes), a water bottle, and a small packed sandwich to hold me over.

Packing something small ahead of time helps stretch the budget without taking away from the experience. We’re not trying to “go without”, just spending intentionally.

Morning: Donuts, Coffee, Views

First stop – KD Donuts on Telegraph Road. Not only are you getting what I will confidently call the actual best donut in town, but you’re also supporting a family-owned business that has been part of Ventura for nearly 40 years. It’s a win-win, you get an awesome treat, and you can feel good about where your money’s going. An insider tip: If you’re nice, she might throw in a few donut holes. And let me be clear — it is a requirement that you order the apple fritter. It’s massive. You won’t feel cheated once you feel the weight of it in that little paper sleeve. At $1.75, you kinda feel like you’re getting away with highway robbery. As soon as we drove up, the owner smiled and said,

“I haven’t seen you guys in a while. Did you move? How are you? Come back more often.”

That one comment says everything about why local businesses matter. It doesn’t feel like a transaction, it feels like building community. Our total came to $1.89.

Stop #2 – Daylight & Moon cafe on Loma Vista Road. The space is bright and clean, the staff are genuinely friendly, and they actually care about the quality of what they serve, even if it’s just drip coffee (which is what we’re getting). The coffee is strong and punchy which is perfect to pair with our sweet treat. My drip came out to $3.77.

Running total: $5.66

Stop #3 – With coffee and donut in hand, we set out for Cemetery Memorial Park. This might be one of Ventura’s most underrated spots. There’s something about the grass, sunshine, and island views (all completely free might I add). That’s the thing about this challenge: the best parts of the day were free. We sat, talked, took our time, and genuinely enjoyed it.

Afternoon: More Views, Treasure Hunts, Wandering

After our slow morning, it felt right to lean into another one of Ventura’s natural beauties. We headed up to the Botanical Gardens (which are free on Fridays). If you can time your visit right, it’s one of the best free experiences. The trails wind up the hillside with ocean views that will force you to come back at your earliest opportunity. And if it’s not Friday? I recommend Arroyo Verde Park. Still beautiful. Still completely free.

Stop #5 – The $3 thrift challenge. A challenge within a challenge. To keep things interesting, I added a rule: If you’re going to buy something, it has to be under $3, and it HAS to be something you love – not just something cheap. So you either get to walk out proud that you saved your money… or you find a hidden gem that you really treasure. After scanning shelves and digging a little, I found what I’m pretty sure is a shot glass. But for me, I will be using my $2.14 tiny mug to pot a succulent. If you aren’t as successful as me, you still get some great entertainment and to browse with a purpose.

Next was wandering through downtown. We continue the browsing- but window shopping only this time. Downtown is built for strolling, so you won’t feel like you stand out for not buying anything.

Running total: $7.80

Botanical Gardens.

Coalition Thrift.

Walking Downtown.

Evening: Tacos, Layers, and a Sunset Finale

Now’s a good time to bring out that jacket. We made our way down to Beach House Tacos along the promenade. Tacos and ocean views are always a winning combination for me, so this felt like the right place to close out the day. The menu has plenty of options, but this is where things got interesting. While we were in line, I mentioned the $20 challenge to another customer. She immediately leaned in and said,

“Order the kids street tacos. I got them for my kid once and they were so good I started ordering them for myself too. It’s the best deal on the menu.”

And she was right. The kids street taco plate was $6, simple, flavorful, and more filling than expected. Add a coke for $4, and dinner came out to $10.78. And best of all, it still felt like a real “going out” meal.

Talking to people, exploring your options, and staying open, will all help you find better ways to spend your money.

We took our tacos further out on the Ventura Pier and sat watching the waves roll in as the sun set. Tacos and ocean air. Not bad for laundry money.

The Final Tally

{Morning: $5.66} {Afternoon: $2.14} {Evening: $10.78}

Total spent: $18.58

Money left: $1.42

We stayed under budget and had so. much. fun.

Another great thing about this day was noticing how much Ventura offers when you slow down enough to look for it. Supporting family-owned businesses, talking to strangers, walking instead of rushing, hunting instead of impulse buying. If you’re a VC student who feels like fun is getting too expensive, I’d encourage you to try something like this, maybe not the exact same stops, but your own version. Pick a number, pick a jacket, bring a friend, see what you find. Ventura makes it easier than you think.

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Business Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight

Which Camarillo Café Truly Ate & Left No Crumbs?

As a Ventura College student, I am always on the lookout for the best atmosphere to complete my school work. Instead of using Starbucks as the default option, I explored around my hometown of Camarillo to see what it had to offer. I went ahead and tried their signature coffees, scoped out the environment, examined their customer service, and what each café sets them apart from their competitors. The four locations I visited are Panadería Lucero, Tree Lounge Coffee, Village Cafe, and Café Ficelle. That being said, take a trip with me through Camarillo and let’s unpack what I experienced.

  1. Panadería Lucero

Panadería Lucero is the sister location to Antojitos Lucero, where they offer traditional and a wide range of pan dulce (sweet bread), alongside specialty coffees curated with a Mexican twist. Their other drink offerings include champurrado, café de olla, and aguas frescas. When I initially entered in, I was immediately greeted with the sweet smell of the pastries and “corrido” music to feel like I walked into abuelita’s house. Their staff welcomed my brother and me with a warm greeting, which was a nice first impression. 

We ordered the iced dalgona whipped coffee with cookie butter cold foam and an iced café de olla with banana cold foam, conchas (struessel-like and shell- shaped bread), and cuernitos (sugar- dusted croissants). Each drink is made to order, so the flavor combinations are endless to satisfy your preferences. Because this business is family-owned, their staff isn’t the biggest, so our drinks took some time to make, which is understandable. 

Iced Dalgona Whipped Coffee with Cookie Butter Cold Foam
Iced Café de Olla with Banana Cold Foam

The presentation of our lattes looked like it was made with time and effort, which is justifiable for how much I paid for them. The iced dalgona coffee with cookie butter cold foam did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations for how it would taste. The main takeaway from this drink is how sweet it is, with caramel being the dominating flavor. On top of the foam were Biscoff cookie crumbles. This drink was reminiscent of Werther’s caramel candy in the best way. Moving on, the iced café de olla might not be for everyone due to its earthy, cinnamon-like flavor. Of course, you can add milk to it and soften the spice level. The banana cold foam was the perfect choice to tone down the cinnamon, but they also offer other cold foam flavors if banana isn’t up your thing. Just like the dalgona drink, my café de olla had Nilla wafer cookie crumbles to replicate what I assume tastes like banana pudding. Once stirred with the cold foam to dissipate, both flavors were harmonious and did not clash. They bounced off of each other and pleased my tastebuds. 

From taking time to deliberate, a unique quality of this cafe, I conclude that their family- oriented energy you feel radiate once you enter brings a sense of comfort, with reminiscent smells of going to my grandma’s house. The atmosphere transports you into a state of calm, compared to other cafes that have a “hustle and bustle” vibe. Overall, I would return to give my business to Panadería Lucero and spread the word about what they have to offer. 

2. Tree Lounge

Located in Old Town of Camarillo, Tree Lounge offers an easy-going cafe setting with lo-fi music to emulate a serene escape. The minute my brother and I entered, we were met with pieces of local artist’s hung and displayed everywhere our eyes could gaze upon. Tree Lounge places an emphasis on highlighting local artists and their art, showcasing thier admirable quality of community pride.. It’s hole- in- the- wall location provides a great option to avoid heavy foot traffic Their hours of operation provide a window of opportunity to step in and be transcended into a “flow state” of productivity. 

The barista reassured us to take our time and not rush to order right away, which I see is a common theme I see for these small business- owned cafes. From looking at their specialty drinks, we decided to order the Island Latte and Ube Latte. The price for both were $7.50. Their menu offers crafted lattes, espresso- based drinks, non-espresso, plus a list of milk substitutes and flavorings. Their food offerings include Chef Galo’s award-winning empanadas as well as traditional bakery goods supplied by local bakers in Ventura County. Their focus seems to be placed on the beverages and community camaraderie, as region-based bakeries and artists are featured. 

The island latte was described as having a macadamia/coconut base with macadamia  milk, which screamed, “I’m taking a walk on the beaches of Oahu.” I admire a latte that isn’t your typical caramel or mocha flavor, so the coconut spoke deeply to me, and I felt seen. Their “quality over quantity” aspect of the menu is definitely a reason I will be returning. The ube latte could be the sister drink to the island latte in terms of how easily you are reminded of being on a tropical getaway. Ube is used in desserts found here, such as offering biscoff brownies, crinkle cookies, and toasted coconut coffee cake. That being said, the ube latte was incredibly delicious and indulgent. Once I tasted it, I kept going back for more. Both the island and ube lattes proved themselves, and their simplicity is enough to satisfy that “afternoon pick me up.”

Island latte
Ube Latte

Our drinks are specialty made, not just a regular chain like MaKenna Koffee, who are more of a Dutch Bros kinda place. The vibes we  strive for are to have people come in, feel like family, and choosing to keep coming back.” 
– Jasmine, Social Media Manager of Tree Lounge, regarding what sets Tree Lounge apart from their competitors

From time to time, Tree Lounge hosts pop-up events that range from featuring art walks, live music and painting events, holiday- themed activities, and are heavily encourage having Camarillo residents participating in local events. There is no doubt how considerate and authentic this business is for measuring success not through sales, but as being an outlet for people to come together and create memories.

They simply host these events and the attendees take over. This makes sense, as their Instagram is filled with event flyers posted one after another, translating into their success as a hosting location. All in all, Tree Lounge would be the ideal spot for a studying, a coffee date or rewarding yourself because “you needed it.” 

3. Village Cafe

Residents of the Village Commons are familiar with the Village Cafe and its intimate setting, where they can enjoy homemade, quality meals accompanied by crafted lattes. Here you will find that this small business is owned by a husband and wife, who are committed to serving their customers only the freshest ingredients and leaving behind a family legacy to future generations. Their core values are to create a sense of home and family for anyone who steps in. Inside, you will find roughly five small tables that emulate the feeling of being in mom’s kitchen waiting for dinner to be made. By stressing the importance of family and community, Village Cafe lives up to their promise and creates the right location to spend a few bucks on either a breakfast burrito or a banana coconut matcha. 

Although their coffee menu is quite condensed to only a handful of lattes, matcha, chai, and hot chocolate, that did not stop us from testing out what they had to offer. I had ordered an iced banana bread latte, and my brother Jakob went for an iced brown butter pecan chai latte. We received our drinks in a timely manner, delivered personally by their in- house barista, all while being thanked for our patience.

The banana flavor was strong enough to be present and not tooth-achingly sweet. With a light in-house made cold foam dusted with cinnamon, it tasted like a banana bread loaf fresh out of the oven. I went ahead and mixed the coffee and foam to blend the flavors more seamlessly, which was the cherry on top. The cold foam had an airy and cool whip- like consistency that didn’t combat the coffee at all. The price for this drink, was $8, and I was more than happy to oblige at that price point.

Banana Latte with Cold Foam
Brown Butter Pecan Chai Latte

However, as Jakob began sipping the iced brown butter pecan chai, his face formed a frown. These were his notes about his beverage, “I wish there was more ice to make it a true iced drink, so that would’ve been nice… The presentation was bleak and nothing special about it, not even cold foam, but maybe that’s our bad for not ordering it? Either way, I feel like who ever made my drink wanted to just get the order over with and onto the next.” Typically, chai lattes are simply the tea concentrate and whatever milk of choice. But with the banana bread latte, it seemed as if more effort was put into that one and the chai latte got “crumbs” in terms of crafting it. Jakob didn’t finish even half because he felt the price he paid didn’t match what he received.

Village Cafe may be best to visit as soon as their doors open to beat the 11am rush on weekends, ensuring you receive quality service and products without the tiredness from their minimal staff. Personally, I will come back earlier in the day and try a different round of drinks to find the right one to be my “go-to” for when I’m in the area. 

4. Café Ficelle

Café Ficelle comes out on top as far as being a well-run business, as seen in their other locations in Ventura and Thousand Oaks. They have established themselves in the niche aesthetic of bringing European- inspired delicacies to Camarillo. It is more than simply a café, since they’re classified as a “boulangerie” and “patisserie.” The term “boulangerie” is French for describing a bakery that specializes in making and selling bread in- house. When I walked through the doors with my boyfriend, Dominic, our eyes were immediately drawn to the pastries and loaves of bread for sale. The warm smell of dough and fresh-baked breakfast items felt exactly how Sunday morning does on a warm summer day.

To preface, Café Ficelle is more of a breakfast/brunch restaurant, so the setting inside isn’t as intimate as the other places in Camarillo. Regardless, the drinks we chose to try were an iced vanilla matcha latte and an iced white mocha latte. The employee who took my order seemed not have the best morning due to her lack of attention in asking me and Dominic if we needed more time or any questions about the menu. I perceived her demeanor as not wanting to be at work that morning, which translated into her poor customer service.

As I took my first sip of the matcha latte, I tasted clumps of matcha powder which is a dead giveaway that it wasn’t properly whisked  or sifted before pouring hot water. There was an adequate amount of ice, but it made the matcha taste bitter even with the almond milk and a hint of vanilla flavoring. For this matcha latte, I paid was $7, and I am confident to say it will not be repurchased in the future and that I can find better- tasting matcha elsewhere in Ventura County. 

Iced Matcha Latte

As Dominic tried his white mocha latte, he sarcastically said, “WOW! Starbucks can make a better version of whatever this is.” When I asked him what he meant by this, his response was “Starbucks makes theirs sweeter, so the price I pay is fine by me, and I like knowing what I’m getting based on their consistent recipe.” 

Iced White Chocolate Mocha Latte

Touching on how this café is a traditional restaurant, I wouldn’t classify it as a place to study quietly. Since there are families with children, young adolescents, and older adults coming in to get served breakfast and/or brunch, getting work done here would’t be the best choice. There are too many distractions of people coming in and out, employees delivering food, and the typical environment of restaurant chatter. Café Ficelle would be a great option for a breakfast outing, meeting up with an old friend, making ordinary mornings seem special. 

~ Café Ranking ~

  • First up, we have Tree Lounge in Old Town. From the minute I arrived until I left, I was satisfied with what I ordered, the vibes I picked up, and most importantly, how I felt welcomed with open arms to take up space. 
  • In second place comes Panadería Lucero and its admirable quality of being a Latino family run business. To see a business, such as Panadería Lucero, functioning and thriving in Camarillo fills me with pride in where I come from and our hardworking people. 
  • In third, we have the Village Cafe serving as a safe choice for receiving quality drinks due to how serious their in- house barista takes their craft. I would suggest perusing their Instagram, finding what drinks speak to you, and visiting before 11am to receive consistently made drinks.
  • Café Ficelle comes last because how I was not pleased with either of the drinks, the prices I paid, or lack of customer service. Their performance has potential, but being a well- established business with multiple locations in Ventura County did not meet my expectations. 

Overall, take my reviews into consideration and what to look out for, but I recommend visiting yourself to make an assessment based on your own experience. Besides the criteria I used to rank each place, I also noted the overarching experience being young college student trying to find her little corner of this world for peace and quiet. The hunt for the perfect study spot continues! 

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Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Podcasts

Snapper Jack’s Podcast Episode

Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack is currently celebrating their 25th anniversary. They offer a mix of Mexican and seafood from three different locations. These locations are in Venture, Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. With a wide variety of items on their menu, and nine different savory salsas to spice up any item on the menu at their salsa bar. In this episode we dive right into the core of customer experience—from the ocean-themed ambiance to the enticing sound of fresh fish cooking on the grill to welcoming smiles, the relaxed beach-town vibe, or the ideal Baja-style taco, which embodies Snapper Jack’s positive vibes.

Jana Sinson

Jazlyn Ponce

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Accessories Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭

Jaydin, Itzel, and Joselyn spent Easter Eve wrapped in the warm charm of the Heaven Made Market, where the coffee is rich, the flowers are fresh, and every small business feels like family. We found the sweetest vintage pieces, got permanent jewelry with meaning, and treated ourselves to cookies that tasted like childhood.

Come along in the vlog — it’s one of those days we’ll never forget.

Don’t forget to follow these vibrant vendors on their Instagram pages below! ↓

@heavenmademarket @maries.coffee @bloomingblessings._ @aloha_sweets @charmedbyyari @angies.sweet.street @lavida_dulceee @crafted_ivy @facepainting805 @snackysnacks_ @steph_made @ashsvintage @sabor_y_raiz @saltandlight.jewerly @everlasting.jerky

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Food & Beverage Food & Dining

Tips for Your Day At Disneyland/California Adventure

Known as “the happiest place on Earth”, Disneyland is a highly sought out destination for many due to its incredible attractions. Offering tasty unique food and drink options, character meet ups, rides/coasters, shows, and more! Between all of that, high prices, long wait times, and the large crowds it can get a bit overwhelming at times. However, no need to fret I’ll be going over some of my favorite recommendations and tips that I’ve learned as someone who has a magic key (annual pass) and has been going frequently for a few years. So let’s dive in!

Tip: The best cold brew is served at the Dockingbay in Galaxy’s Edge

Fave Foods:

Disneyland

  1. Jolly Holiday Cafe

Jolly Holiday has great dining options, they have sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. My go to is the beef birria grilled cheese sandwich. Very flavorful and a decent sized portion. They also offer seasonal options. Around the holidays they have a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce that’s definitely a must have.

View Menu

2. Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree

Hungry Bear has a great menu selection offering barbecue, burgers, chicken tenders, and tons of delicious desserts. If you’re a barbecue fan you’ll definitely want to check it out! I love to try their seasonal funnel cakes so if you ever see one available make sure not to miss out on it!

View Menu

California Adventure

  1. Lamplight Lounge (Boardwalk)

The boardwalk dining for Lamplight Lounge is the perfect stop for shareable appetizers, and a delicious drinks. My all time favorite is the “Spotlight” barbacoa nachos. I personally am not a seafood fan but I’ve heard amazing reviews about the lobster nachos as well. Besides the amazing food and drinks it has a beautiful view as it sits on the pier by the ferris wheel. To get seated you just walk up and join their virtual walk up list. Definitely worth the visit!

View Menu

2. Cocina Cucamonga

Cocina Cucamonga is located in San Fransokyo Square, and serves Mexican cuisine. Most of their food is incredible, the only item I’m not a fan of is the street corn. My go to order is the quesabirria tacos. If I’m feeling extra hungry I’ll add on a side of cilantro lime rice, and of course wash it down with an horchata. Seriously too good to pass up on!

View Menu

Most dining options allow for mobile ordering so check ahead to schedule orders for asap or a later time!

*Tip: Do NOT eat at Galactic Grill at Disneyland I’ve tried it a few times and every time has been disappointing. Save your money and go literally anywhere else!*

Best Drinks (alcohol)

Tip: You can mobile order your drink ahead of time just like food. Just be sure to have a valid ID, 2 drinks per 1 ID can be given!

Disneyland

  1. Oga’s Cantina- must join waitlist before hand or make reservation, for those who are under 21 no problem there’s no age restriction to enter! Make Reservation
The Fuzzy Ton-Ton (my go to)

California Adventureland

The Brewery X Baja Blast (Made with alcohol)
  1. Hollywood Lounge
  2. Shmoozies
  3. Award Weiners (get the Brewery X Baja Blast)
  4. Lamplight Lounge (get the Dole whip shots)
  5. Pym Testing Lab (get the R&D Martini)

The one on the left is Litmus Lemonade (contains alcohol) which tastes just like the Starbucks Strawberry Açaí Refresher, and the one on the right is the R&D Martini which tastes like an espresso martini (this one is my new favorite)

Navigating the Lightening Lane:

The Lightening Lane isn’t perfect and can be confusing so this is my advice on using it as someone who doesn’t like to wait!

  • Plan ahead which rides are a priority for you. If you’re park hopping the pass applies to both parks, and you are able to book slots every 2 hours.
  • Popular rides will run out of slots earlier in the day. I constantly see rides like Guardians of the Galaxy, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones only offering slots for 11pm by 3pm. So, for popular rides like those I’d advise you book them earlier in the day to ensure a slot.
  • There are two rides that are excluded from the pass and are available for separate purchasing. These rides are Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland, and Radiator Springs Racers at California Adventure. Each ride is available to buy a separate pass for $20 each.

-If you don’t feel like spending an extra $20 I’d advise using the single rider line for Radiator Springs Racers, since you can wait the entire time with your party and just ride separately.

Tip: Hit Radiator Springs in the night for the best views, the whole area gets lit up and is stunning

-Rise of the resistance doesn’t do single riders so your best alternative would be to either go right when the park opens or right before the ride closes. Do note though that this ride closes by 10pm even when the park closes at 12am.

  • As everyone knows rides do break down here and there and will close for maintenance, in the event that the ride you booked the pass for is not operating during your time slot you’ll be given a unique pass. A cast member will scan it and you’ll see a single use multi-use experience will pop up. You’ll be able to use this at any ride that accepts lightening lane. (Some people will use this as a hack if they know a ride will be down most likely all day in order to use the pass on a ride that doesn’t offer a slot for a long time)
  • You can only book each ride one time. Although you get new bookings every 2 hours, you cannot repeat a ride using lightening lane. So, if the wait time for a ride is relatively short I’d recommend waiting to use it until it gets busier.
  • Lastly, use the tip board where you schedule slots to keep up with wait times and in between slots fit in rides with shorter wait times to maximize your experience.

Ride Hacks

  • On Big Thunder Mountain try to maintain eye contact with the goat while going through the bend as it’s said to make it feel faster.
  • The Matterhorn ride has two tracks; the left side and right side. The left side is more aggressive, while the right is more gentle. So, if you like thrill take the left, and if you like a more mellow experience go right.
  • The Winnie the Pooh and Storybook ride offer a special experience to the first riders everyday. If you’re the first in line to either ride you get to sign a book. Personally, I’m not usually there that early, but for my morning people you may want to consider it as it’s a unique experience!
  • The Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure sometimes offers their own version of the single rider line and is referred to as a buddy pass. Buddy pass is applicable to parties of 2 and 1, and the entrance is through the exit. Just make sure to ask a cast member to see if they’re offering it that day.

Rope Drop Hacks

  • Most people who rope drop will go to the right side of the park first, so do the opposite and go left for less crowds at Disneyland
  • If you rope drop at California Adventure start at Pixar Pier, and knock out all of those rides

Thank you for reading, and I hope these help you with your next Disney day! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out 🙂

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Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight

The Best Dining In The 805

In today’s day and age, we as people are so accustomed to the food we eat being fast, industrialized, machine made and lacking any soul. Fast food chains litter towns and cities as the easy, on-the-go spot to grab a bite to eat. Dining culture in the United States made that shift in the 1960’s when places like McDonalds opened their doors and the world was first exposed to how cheap, quick and reliable food could be. It seems that since that time, real dining experiences and food culture have been lost to some extent and everyplace must feel as streamlined as possible. In this article, We will discuss some of the best dining experiences in Ventura County that bring food and experience to the forefront and offer guests with meals that’ll have them returning over and over. 

The first restaurant on this list is Azafran. A family owned Spanish-Peruvian Fusion restaurant located in Camarillo’s old town. Azafran offers a cozy ambiance and stunning menu with dishes ranging from blackened octopus, prosciutto toast, Shrimp tacos, Peruvian ceviche, and French press coffee to go along with it all.

Photo Via Visit Camarillo

The spot offers a breakfast/brunch service as well as dinner with a small menu that is perfected by the chef. Even with the smaller sized menu, there are still options for everyone with dietary restrictions in mind.

Plenty of satisfying vegetarian options like Chaufa, a vegetable fried rice or the Pulpo, a confit potato dish with white bean puree and cherry tomatoes. Pictures of their dishes, although plated marvelously, still can’t express how flavorful, and delicious the dishes are. The cozy atmosphere mixed with the open kitchen design and almost home-interior like layout, Azafran truly makes you feel like you’re at home with some of the best food you could possibly imagine.

The next restaurant is Am Noodle, located off telephone road in Ventura. Thai restaurants are in no shortage in the area, but few offer the more traditional style of dishes as Am Noodle does.

What brought the restaurant to my attention initially was people raving about how a dish they grew up with was finally done right again, which soon after, prompted a visit with some friends. The place is small, only seating around 20 people, but the food and overall atmosphere makes up for it. Thai food is easily accommodated to almost anyone’s food needs whether that be vegetarian, vegan, or any allergies. I’ve tried many different Thai curries at various places but almost nothing compares to their Panang Curry. A thick, red curry with much more citrus and zest than it’s counterparts. Served steaming hot with a heart shaped mound of white rice on the side, every bite is as good as the last one and will keep you wanting more.

A place I find to have had a redemption from an earlier time, The Greek, located at the Ventura harbor had had its ups and downs but has seen itself still thriving to this day and remains a place that stands out in the city.

The Greek opened its doors in 1994, making it the oldest location on this list. In 2011 the restaurant was featured on Gordan Ramsey’s “Kitchen Nightmares” where he went around the country to various struggling restaurants and helped lift them out of the chaos. The Greek, which has been family run, was in turmoil and the food was poorly rated at the time, but since that time, the restaurant has been one of the few from the show to survive the test of time and flourish since then. When dining here you are greeted with the scenic view of the Ventura Harbor which radiates in the sun during the day time, and glows with the lights of boats and the harbor walkway at night. The restaurant features a large outdoor patio, perfectly suited for its environment as well as a cozy interior that shimmers with the blues and white that resemble the Greek flag. The food is some of the best Greek and Mediterranean cuisine in town and offers authentic flavors as well as globally known delights like Souvlaki and Moussaka. If you are looking for fresh caught seafood or great quality steak, The Greek is for you. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as supplying guests with a full bar, the restaurant also offers live music and dancing at nights, taking advantage of their location size and setting by the water. The Greek is one of those places you could take a date, or a group of your friends and enjoy a great meal, great atmosphere and a great view.

The last place, while not in Ventura County proper, but still within the boundaries of the “805” is The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. Tucked away in a small cove a few miles from Santa Barbara’s State Street, the Boathouse is an upscale seafood spot that although bustling, is still loungy in nature.

This is the most expensive and upscale place on this list, and although it’s not a family owned restaurant like that others, it is still a place that serves tremendous food that is perfect for a special occasion type of meal. They boast a menu that ranges from eggs benedict for breakfast to a seared mahi mahi and lobster risotto for dinner as well as a raw bar that brings oysters, clams, mussels and anything else you could want. Similar to The Greek, the view and setting of this restaurant makes it stand out against other places. Tucked away in a quiet cove, the restaurant has a massive gallery window looking out towards the ocean. Upon my visit here, it was a clear evening with a bit of swell in the water which provided the view of a few surfers out in the water, with the backdrop of the setting sun. The view alone is enough to make you enjoy your experience, but the food will keep you wanting to come back every chance you get.

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