Frequently Asked Questions

How much will we be walking?
Our tours cover a fair amount of walking distance ranging anywhere from ½ mile to 1 ½  miles on level city sidewalks. There will be stops along the way, and plenty of opportunities to sit during our stops. Please wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes (casual dress is just fine). We suggest bringing a water bottle, a jacket for when that pesky Ventura marine layer rolls in, and an umbrella if the weather looks questionable.

How much will we be eating?
We will be sampling food at each of our stops (except for the wine, beer and coffee tastings). Some tastings will offer a few bites, while others entail larger portions. Throughout the course of the tour, you will eat the equivalent of a single meal.

What if I’m a vegetarian or have food allergies?
Most of our tours aren't suited for vegans, lactose intolerant individuals, or a gluten-free diet. These are some of the foods you may be introduced to on your tour. While our restaurants and shops are unable to provide substitutions, guests are welcome to pass on any dishes they do not like. Please do let us know, though, if you are a vegetarian or have any serious food allergies or aversions when you fill out your registration form and purchase your tickets. We will alert the restaurants of any food allergies in advance, but we suggest inquiring at each stop to ensure your tasting is allergy free. If you have any questions, please email us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Will Allison, the owner, be our tour guide?
Due to the high demand for our tours, Allison is unable to lead all of the tours we run. We have assembled a great team of tour guides - from food bloggers to gourmet cooks - to help with both our Ventura and Ojai tours. When you receive your tour confirmation email, we will let you know which of our guides will be leading your tour.

What do I need to bring?
Bring your appetite, a water bottle, your camera, and a tote bag or backpack. All of the tastings are included in the cost of the tour, but there will be opportunities to purchase goodies to fill your suitcase or your pantry should you feel inspired.

What if it rains?
Our tours are rain or shine events and will not be cancelled due to inclement weather. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring an umbrella if it is raining. In the case of flooding or natural disaster, tours may be cancelled. In this case, we will contact you and make arrangements to reschedule your tour or give you a full refund.

Are children allowed?
Our tours are geared toward adults and are not designed for young children. We don't recommend our tours for children under eight years of age, but please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or would like to bring your child.

Am I expected to tip?
Nope.  Your ticket with Ventura Food Tours covers all expenses, so bring your appetite and enjoy yourself.

Are tickets refundable?
Since many people and many restaurants are involved in getting ready for our tours, admission fee is non-refundable from 48 hours before tour departure. If you have purchased a ticket but are unable to attend, please pass it along to another food loving friend (and let us know so we can add them to the list instead).

What else can we do while we're visiting Ventura?
There are a lot of fun things to do and see in Ventura, ranging from the natural to the historic. We've listed a few other things you can do in Ventura either before or after your food tour!.

We're interested in a team building experience for our company, do you offer anything like that?
Yes, we can offer a variety of customized, private tours that are perfect for team building and creating camaraderie among your corporate group and co-workers.

 

If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to email me or call us at 805-295-TOUR.