About Ventura's Ventura Harbor

Christmas is all around us here in Ventura. With just one week to go, the air is buzzing with excitement. One way to celebrate the season is with the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights. Beginning tonight (December 16, 2011) at 7pm and continuing through tomorrow evening (December 17, 2011), hundreds of boats decorated with thousands of lights cruise the harbor to show off their holiday spirit with a California twist.

In addition to the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights, get some of your Christmas shopping done from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday, December 17th at the Winter Wonderland and Holiday Sidewalk Sale at the Ventura Harbor Village. In between shopping trips, see the live reindeer, listen to the Victorian Carolers belt out traditional Christmas tunes, hear the Toy Soldier Band perform, play in the "snow" and see holiday characters walking about. It all makes for quite the festive holiday event.

At the conclusion of the Ventura Parade of Lights on both Friday and Saturday evenings, there will be a full fireworks display. Santa will even make an appearance over the harbor, thanks to Aspen Helicopters. If you want to actually be a part of the parade, you can take one of the public cruises offered by Island Packers or Ventura Boat Rentals. Reservations are required. So don't delay!

The annual Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights is a unique family-friendly way to celebrate the holiday season in Southern California. We would like to take a moment to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From our family to yours.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

The call of the Pacific Ocean beckons thousands of people from all around the world to visit the City of Ventura every year. Many are so drawn to this gorgeous town that they end up buying a home and setting down roots. However, to really get a feel for how amazing a place this fair city of ours is, you should take an evening cruise of Ventura Harbor.

Island Packers, a local Ventura business, offers two evening harbor cruises that you really shouldn't miss. Their one hour "Taste of Ventura Harbor" cruise offers live music, appetizers from local restaurants such as Spinnaker Steak & Seafood Broiler, Andres Wine & Tapas Bar, The Greek and Milano's Italian Restaurant. The next cruise leaves the Ventura Harbor (1691 Spinnaker Dr) on October 15, 2011 at 6:30pm. The live entertainment for that evening will be Sing Along Pop Songs by Ken Kong. Tickets are just $28 for adults, $25 for seniors ages 55+ and $21 for kids under 13. To make your reservation, simply call 805-642-1393. Once your appetite gets whetted with this one hour cruise, you can have dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants in the Ventura Harbor.

For the larger appetite, take in the sights of the Harbor as well as cruise the waterfront homes of the Ventura Keys with a two hour dinner cruise. In addition to live music and appetizers, you will enjoy dinner and dessert from one of Ventura's finest dining establishments: Spinnaker Steak & Seafood Broiler. There is a no host cash bar that offers Ojai Valley wine as well as domestic and imported beers. Tri tip and shrimp will be served on their next cruise set to sail on October 22nd at 6:30pm. Teresa Russell will be performing acoustic classic rock for your listening pleasure. Tickets for this cruise are $54 for adults, $50 for seniors and $42 for kids. You can make your reservation today by calling 805-642-1393.

One of the highlights of living in Ventura is the natural beauty you see everywhere. Never is this more true than when you take a cruise of the Ventura Harbor. Don't miss out on an opportunity to see our city in this fun, unique way.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

This is a Free Event held tomorrow, Thursday, September 15, 5-9 pm. Win a 3 or 6 hour Sail Aboard the Bill of Rights Tall Ship. To enter, visit a minimum of 10 artists throughout the Village. Sponsored by Island Packers for 2 adults. I think this is a great idea, for more information visit Ventura Harbor Village. This Ventura County Realtor is going for sure, I hope I win a sailing trip!

Originally published at www.venturacountyrealestate.com

I’m Kathy Stoltman – Your Ventura County Realtor – You can reach me anytime at (805)-746-1793 Or via email at kathyst@kathyst.com

I look forward to hearing from you

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You haven't experienced the wonderfulness that is living in Southern California if you have never gone whale watching in Ventura. From now until April 17, 2011, Pacific Gray Whales travel from the warm waters of Mexico, where they breed and give birth, pass through the Santa Barbara Channel and continue on to the colder waters of the Bering Sea. That's when it's peak season to view these magnificent creatures for yourself.

Island Packers offers wonderful whale watching cruises that depart from either the Ventura Harbor (1691 Spinnaker Dr #105B, Ventura) or Channel Islands Harbor (3600 S Harbor Blvd, Oxnard) until the middle of April. These cruises can take anywhere from 3 to 3 1/2 hours total. The departure schedule varies from day to day. They aren't always available from both harbors. So, make sure to visit the Island Packers' website to find out what tours are available for each harbor on specific days. Tickets for adults are $33 each, seniors (55+) can cruise for $30 each and children ages 3-12 are just $24 each.

If you want to experience something truly spectacular off our beautiful Southern California coasts, try whale watching in Ventura. You might even get to see some dolphins while you're out, too.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, your Ventura real estate specialists