The Pierpont Inn
Staff Picks

Translating to “eggs ranch-style” or “rancher’s eggs” in English, huevos rancheros are defined as eggs that have been fried or poached on a tortilla, usually served with a tomato-based salsa fresca. Other toppings are usually added as well. In the case of the huevos rancheros at Austen’s, the plate includes refried beans, queso fresco, chorizo, pico de gallo, avocado, and potatoes.

True to their name, huevos rancheros started on ranches and rural farms in Mexico as a hearty mid-morning meal. The tasty egg dish began as one served for ranchers as a second breakfast, offering an energy boost following early morning farm work. They then become popular in the United States within the border state of Texas. Nowadays, the late morning plate has grown more common, and many variations can be found.

The Ventura Botanical Gardens were dreamt up and began about 15 years ago. What started as a small garden projection has grown into a beautiful collection of over 150 unique flowers and plants. This garden rests along several trails and offers one of the best views of Ventura around. The gardens are continuously being expanded and the trial is being pushed further up the mountain so each time you come back, there will be more to see.

With over 100 acres of planned planting and an already sizeable collection, the Ventura Gardens will be here to provide serene backdrops and marvelous plants for years to come. Come see the best view of the harbor and city and help support a local dream.

March 28 is a fun-packed day that will entertain the denizens of Ventura for hours on end. Make your way to downtown Ventura and enjoy an awesome Spring Street Fair from 11:00 am - 6:30 pm. Browse through a huge selection of items from local artists and artisans and maybe find that perfect accessory you are searching for.

Family-friendly fun will also be available in the form of a pre-Easter egg hunt with over 30,000 hidden eggs to find. Bring the kids and multiple baskets: they’re going to need them. Throw in a kids zone with bounce houses and you’ll keep them entertained for hours.

For some more adult fun, grab your Wine Walk ticket and spend three hours (3:00 pm - 6:00 pm) sampling authentic champagne, sparkling wine, local brews, and internationally acclaimed craft beers as you make your way through local participating establishments. An event wristband gets the businesses to start pouring! All of this to the backdrop of live music will make this a Saturday to remember.

Every week, over 45 farmers and other California-based food vendors set up shop on the corner of Santa Clara and Palm Street to bring you every local treasure around. Whether you need tomatoes for a salad, chard for a side, or a nice cauliflower to bake, this market has you covered. Dozens of different types of local honey and nuts can accompany your produce and add some flavor. Plenty of fresh cheeses, oils, and jellies will also be present from popular home-producers. Even if you just want to look at some succulents and other potted plants, Saturday mornings will always be best enjoyed at the Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market.

On December 13 and 14, make your way down to the harbor for a full day of holiday-themed fun. The festivities begin at 4 pm with children's rides and events followed by a visit from Santa. Starting at 6:30 pm, a festive boat parade will begin. If those festive lights aren’t enough, the night will end with a dazzling fireworks display right over the water. The theme is called “SEAing is believing” for a reason!

If you're looking for more than two days of festive activities to quench your holiday thirst, then make sure to come back on December 21 for round 2. Round 2 is a Winter Wonderland and Holiday Marketplace that will take place from noon to 4 pm. Come see live reindeer on vacation from the North Pole and faux snow constantly falling overhead! The kids will love the party and you’ll love the giant winter bazaar that will accompany.

The Great Junk Hunt is an annual holiday market that has become a Ventura legend. The most diverse vendors from near and far gather around to display over 40,000 square feet of handmade crafts, repurposed goods, and vintage memorabilia. This award-winning market is the best way to find truly unique and affordable items for yourself or gifts for the whole family.

The party kicks off at 10:00 am, but special early-bird tickets are available if one day of hunting isn’t enough for you. These tickets get you in one day early on December 6, with doors opening at 6 pm. Good luck finding gold!

On October 26, dress the kids in the ghouliest (or prettiest) costumes you can find and maybe throw on a little something yourself to guarantee the best candy around. As you wander through Ventura Harbor Village, local businesses will be dishing candy and other treats and trust us, they’re all trying to outdo each other.

If businesses fighting to give your kids the biggest candy bars known to man sounds like a fun way to usher in this year’s Halloween, then this is one festivity you won’t want to miss. While you’re there, you can dine in any one of the many amazing restaurants or grab a quick drink. Maybe a little shopping is in your future?

This special flea market will have just about everything you can imagine. Have you ever wanted an authentic antique to spruce up your living room or hand-crafted woodworks? Maybe personally designed jewelry, figurines, and home goods are more your style. Whichever way your tastes bend, you’re sure to find something to take home at the Ventura Flea Market.

Bring the whole family and make it an all-day event. Food and drinks of all types will be sold, and with dozens of stalls and vendors, you can relax and take your time. We look forward to seeing you there!

TASTE is proud to present food, drinks, and fun from over 45 local restaurants, breweries, caterers, wineries, and more. Each host will be serving finger food, handcrafted drink samples and more! Additionally, there will be a free photo booth, live music, and all of the friendly conversation that you can handle. This unique event will take place on August 29 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Tickets are limited so make sure to get yours early and reserve your chance to TASTE something delicious!

So what exactly will you find in a maritime museum? Well, first off there is professional photography and paintings of really cool things in the ocean or of related items like ships. Speaking of ships, have you ever wanted to see model ships so detailed that they look like they were created with a shrink ray? If so, we have good news for you—this museum has plenty. This area is so influenced by the ocean that it’s really worthwhile and exciting to see an entire museum dedicated to it. Come check it out for yourself and learn something new!

Ventura Raceway is proud to bring you all the racing your summer can handle. This year, on June 15, they are partnering with one of the top motorcycle attorney’s in the US, Russ Brown, to bring a national speedway championship right to Ventura. Come see the top talent clash in this premier motorcycle racing event. Additional motorcycle, sprint car, and other vehicle races will be regularly taking place throughout the summer. Grab a drink, bring the family, and enjoy some quality racing!

Ventura County Wine Trail releases a newly updated map every year that details every must-hit stop in Ventura and nearby areas. For those who want to adventure on their own time, the map is a very useful tool for finding just the right wineries and the best fine dining experience.

However, if you want to remove the burden of making decisions and receive the full luxury experience, the Ventura County Wine Trail is also your go-to winery tour connection. Whether you want to be shuttled around to different wineries and restaurants, learn about the champion vineyards as you taste the sweet end product, or experience the high-life with a limousine tour, Ventura’s wine country is definitely not something to be missed.

Located a couple of miles off the coast, the Channel Islands are a series of 5 individual islands that collectively have been dubbed, “North America’s Galapagos.” They boast over 150 species of animals and plants that are not found anywhere else on the entire planet and oldest human remains known to all of North America.

Island Packers Cruises conveniently departs from Ventura Harbor and is your ticket to these majestic islands. Come hike forgotten worlds and see a new side of California. For those more sea-inclined, these islands are also home to Blue Whales, dolphins, and many other exotic sea creatures and there’s no better time of the year to view them in all their beauty!

With executive chef Eduardo leading the kitchen and creating new recipes, Austen’s has a standout menu for all three meals of the day from brunch classics like fluffy pancakes to delectable seafood dishes. We hope that Austen’s continues to serve up amazing dishes and continues to be a favorite among those both visiting Ventura and living in Ventura. It means a lot to us to have been voted one of the best restaurants in Ventura.

If you have yet to have tried Austen’s, book a table now through OpenTable or by calling us at 805.643.0245

March’s is Mermaid Month and you will have the opportunity to explore the history of mermaids, marvel at the themed decor, and take a picture with a live mermaid! Enjoy the freshest seafood available as you take your pleasant stroll. For those looking for a little adventure, there is no shortage of kayak rentals or boat tours. This harbor is even the meeting point for larger deep-water tours that will allow you to see dolphins and whales. When the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t end. Check out comedy shows, arcades, and fine fresh dining!

Luckily for you, there is no shortage of amazing scenery along this trail and the ride is perfect for riders of all experience levels. Cruise along meandering rivers and overgrown canopies as you see another side of Ventura.

Chances are you didn’t bring your bike along on your vacation, but fear not, there are dozens of bike rentals along the coast. You can even rent an electronic bicycle if you want to go light on the sweat and heavy on the views. The path has many entry points but the start is at the west end of Rex Street, a couple of blocks north of Main Street.

From the beach to historical sites, you’ll never get bored of this quaint town, especially if you stay with us. Our inn offers panoramic views of the Pacific plus a gorgeous property perfect for afternoons spent relaxing in our gardens. Book your stay today and let us guide you through a weekend of fun in Ventura.

The California shore offers a unique experience for everyone, ranging from fishermen to wakeboarders, and everyone in between. What better way to get a full experience than a quarter-mile long pier jutting out from the most gorgeous beach on this side of the Pacific?

Whether you want a scenic bike ride through the majestic coast or a dip in the refreshing waters of the Pacific Ocean, there’s no better way to experience Ventura than The Pierpont Inn. Come see for yourself Sumner P. Hunt’s architectural masterpiece that has been a local staple since 1910!