Hotel at a Glance: Glen Tavern Inn

It’s too bad the Glen Tavern Inn’s walls can’t talk. During the course of its 100-year history, the Tudor-Craftsman inn has been at various times a gambling parlor, a house of ill repute, and a speakeasy. Thanks to its proximity to Los Angeles, this stately hotel has hosted stars like John Wayne, Carol Lombard, and Harry Houdini. It has also reportedly hosted a few ghosts, as recounted on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures. Spooky happenings aside, you’ll find vintage charm and elegant rooms at the inn, which is close to shopping and the beaches of Southern California.

• Enzo’s Italian Restaurant: Feast on family-style Italian favorites such as rustic pizza and lasagna at the hotel’s onsite restaurant.
• Comfy rooms feature vintage hotel elegance—think dark wood furnishings and thick drapes.
• Driving time from Ventura beaches: 15 minutes
• Within walking distance: Historic Old Town and the farmers’ market
• Six Flags Magic Mountain is just 35 miles away.

Santa Paula, California: Citrus Capital with Oil Industry Past

Santa Paula smells great. This quaint Southern California town grows so many lemons and oranges that it’s known as the Citrus Capital of the World, and the fragrance from the fruit trees floats over the entire town and surrounding valley. 

In the early 20th century, Santa Paula was the headquarters for Union Oil. The building has since been turned into the California Oil Museum. Stop in to see artifacts from the petroleum industry such as photographs, working gas pumps, and interactive exhibits.

Santa Paula is a few minutes’ drive from the shops and beaches of Ventura. It’s also close to golf courses, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and the Channel Islands National Park. For bright lights and serious shopping, Los Angeles is just 65 miles away.

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