Unique Ventura County Bed and Breakfast Site of Historic Church

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Ventura County is an amazing place. There are spots that take your breath away. This conversion from a church, which dates from the 1880s era, to a B&B is a unique lodging experience unmatched anywhere.

Text and photos by Anne Willis

Innkeepers Richard and Nona have earned  the ultimate review–  “Nobody Does It Better”–this being the chant among the guests that nobody wanted to leave (including my husband & I).

With so much to offer when visiting Ventura, we were simply refreshed in another world that we had stepped into. The front of the brochure reads, “Victorian Rose Bed & Breakfast … A  Heavenly Experience at the Ocean’s Door.”

The Victorian Rose is within walking distance to just about everything. The inn is centrally located near the seashore, mountains, golf courses, fishing, and boat launching. Nearby are Harbor village and Channel Island tours, wine tasting, restaurants, and a movie theater. With a year-round Mediterranean climate  this will  make for a special destination for enjoyment and relaxation.
The Victorian Rose is one of Ventura’s oldest landmarks remembered as a romantic wedding chapel. We have friends who were married there. All the rooms are unique with special amenities, such as 11-foot ceilings, tiled baths, gas fireplaces television and free WiFi.

The building is a display of blended architecture, which has remained standing more than 120 years with a 96-foot steeple acting as a skyline landmark.
As a chef of a high-end B&B in the San Juan Islands, Wash., Nona’s breakfast was beyond outstanding.  We had the Frittata with local fruit, which was scrumptious. It could not have been better. Other guests who stayed the entire weekend raved about the other breakfasts, such as creme brulee French Toast  and Swedish Pancakes to name a few.

In the afternoon around 5 p.m. one is welcomed into the sanctuary by the innkeeper and other guests for mouth-watering, hand-crafted confections along with wine, cheeses, and crackers. If you prefer tea or coffee the inn provides you with comforts of all sorts. As we sat sipping our beverages we were encouraged to view interesting scrapbooks made by the innkeepers that showed you the history and where this had evolved from the past into the present, and all the wonderful spectacular changes they created. When we booked our stay our quest for adventure had started and we were never disappointed, neither were any of the other guests.

We sat and listened to Gregorian Chants, which was divine. The stained glass and Gothic features will add to the natural  high one experiences.
As for the room and patio it was spacious and gorgeous. The patio is so tranquil with flowers, butterflies,  hummingbirds, and sunrises and sunsets. No words to describe it other than out of this world! Our room was very quiet and we  stayed  in the Victorian Rose Room. The Emperors room offers a 15-foot high spiral staircase to a Juliette balcony as you enter a very private room that transports one into Old World China, and as you enter through Royal Dynasty doors, your Jacuzzi bath awaits you. Our room was very Goth, which was our preference.

At the end of my stay I remembered one of my favorite sentiments, “You Never Leave a place You Love, You Go Away Taking a Part Of It Along, And Leaving a Part Of You Remaining.
This is a place you will remember and want to return too.