Ventura Blvd. - Home to... Everything

Ventura Blvd. is the main thoroughfare that shoots through the south end of the San Fernando Valley. It is somewhat famous in a sense in that it has been the backdrop for tons of movies and as one of the homes to the custom car culture. To me, it has an even more unique distinction.

(above) The chinese FOOT massage joint.

The one thing I think is really cool about Manhattan is that you are never far away from anything you could possibly want. From where ever you are in Manhattan you are a five minute walk from anything you may possibly want (chocolate eclair, paper clips, hot dog, antique chair). Ventura Blvd. is much the same way. All you have to do is drive and up and down this magnificent street and you are bound to find what you may seek.

(above) the "Carnival"

Any and every possible business is represented somewhere on Ventura Blvd. Everything from electronics to sports to food is on this street. I once needed a new inner tube for my bike and googled three bike stores within a five minute car ride of my house... all on Ventura Blvd.

(above) One of the two local bowling alleys. This one
has a very fancy restaurant and is expensive.

With that in mind, I took a little bike ride up Ventura Blvd recently to get a feel for some of the businesses nearby. I've already talked about the overabundance of weed shops and nail salons. Add to that, a bowling alley, a diner, a place where all the illegal alien dudes wait for work, a chinese foot massage place (not chinese massage, chinese FOOT massage), three skateboard shops, restaurants (Mexican, Italian, Thai, Indian, Morroccan, & Jack in the Box-ian), a beer making store, a store with beer, a cheese making shop, a wig shop, a carnival (yes, a carnival) and a website (yes, a website).

(above) the local "web site"