10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Ventura County Coast That You Shouldn't Miss

Four Brix Winery - an craft winery located in the heart of Ventura - specializes in internationally-inspired wine blends. We produce wines based upon our four favorite grape growing regions: Italy, France, Spain and California. The word "Brix" is a term for measurement of sugar in grapes; therefore Four Brix equals four sweets spots for great wine! With a total production of around 2,500 cases, these wines are very limited and in high demand. It takes strength, creativity and patience to make great wine, kind of like raising children. In fact, our wine is like our children, so we gave them names: Smitten, Zeductive (Zinfandel and Petite Sirah), Temptress, Rhondezvous (Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah) and Scosso (Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot) are a few of our kids. Once you taste the wines, you realize how apropos the names are. When we aren't making wine, we like to hang out with a glass of wine, listening to music and eating great food. Our favorite place to hang out is at the BrixHouse- our tasting room. But we don't like to hang out alone, so we make sure there is always something going on at the BrixHouse. For Club members, affectionately referred to as "BrixHeads", there are exciting Pick Up Parties at least twice annually. Depending on the time of year, you might be able to attend a Concert in the Cellar, Foodie Friday, Dinner in the Tasting Lounge, BBQ Pizza Nights, a Blending Party or maybe just relax in the BrixHouse with a glass of wine, listening to a smooth sax player. Be sure to get on the email list for up-to-date announcements and events. Visit the BrixHouse- it's 1200 square feet with inviting rich, deep colors, high ceilings, couch area and several table and chairs arrangements. We invite guests to relax and stay; enjoy a tasting or maybe a glass or bottle of wine to share with friends. The Barrel & Production rooms are on-site and typically used for special events. But when you stop by, don't be surprised if you are invited to take a tour with one of the owners. Cheers!

Admission is $5. Guided tours are $10. Led by Kevin Wallace, Director of the Center, the guided tour includes the Permanent Collection, Current Exhibitions, and Beatrice Wood’s Studio. Wallace shares insight into Beatrice Wood’s involvement in the New York Dada Movement, the Theosophical Society, the creation of the Happy Valley Foundation, and Beatrice Wood’s unique approach to art and life. The Center is located ten minutes from downtown Ojai. Who was Beatrice Wood? Beatrice Wood was an important contemporary artist, craftsperson and writer. Her life ran the course of the 20th century and included many of the figures that shaped it. Ultimately, her genius was in the marriage of wide-ranging influences in her work. The spirit of Dadaism, impact of Modernism, embrace of Eastern philosophy, influence of folk art and even the ornament of ethnic jewelry were all combined in her ceramics.

The Museum’s collection is a treasure trove of maritime paintings, ship models, and artifacts that rival some of the finest European and U.S. collections. Sumptuous seascape paintings by 17th century Dutch masters, 18th and 19th century English Romantics, French Impressionist painter Boudin, and unparalleled contemporary maritime painters complement the finest museum-quality ship models on the West Coast, including the Marple Models: nine exquisite, highly detailed scratch-built warships; and intricate “bone models” carved by French soldiers held captive during the early 19th century Napoleonic wars. The Upper Deck hosts interactive contemporary exhibits, featured temporary exhibitions, art receptions, and engaging Third Thursday lectures. Museum windows look out over the Channel Islands Harbor’s passing sailboats and gorgeous views. The Channel Islands National Park sits just offshore, and the sea lions on the dock out front add tremendous character to the traffic stream. Visitors are invited to view the art on their own or take advantage of the museum’s knowledgeable, free guides. If your idea of a maritime museum is limited to rusty anchors and old salty sea dogs, come and discover a vibrant cultural venue in the Channel Islands Harbor that celebrated local maritime achievements through contemporary interactive exhibits and displays outstanding examples of centuries of fine art from around the world.