Watermark a restaurant/pub with a view!

Downtown Ventura, California was a joy.  The shops were lovely, the scenery idyllic and the Watermark on Main owned by Mark and Kathy Hartley.  The building was built during the 1920’s and this historic place offered a perch to view the city from a lofty height.

My friend Linda Spanberger and I had walked and walked and we wanted to sit and sip for a bit.  Just as we passed the Watermark we saw a band was warming up.  It was happy hour and sparking wine was on special.

After taking a quick tour of the beautiful restaurant with its decorative iron railing, dark woods and soft lighting we made our way to the top floor and took our perch over the sidewalk and watched below as the band warmed up inside. The restaurant below had an amazing vaulted wood ceiling and a balcony that we took full advantage of walking through since we happened between lunch and dinner at a quiet time of day.  There is also the original bank vault dating back to the late twenties and early thirties.

The second floor offers cozy fireplace and the great bar seating and a view of the city.  The 3rd floor lounge W20 Rooftop Lounge had a glassed in bar that caught the light and the outdoor balcony seating outside we were seeking.

The lovely Watermark reminds you of the early days of the Spanish settlers.  I was especially enamored with the murals depicting the Camino Real from the 1920s overlook the dining area. These were  were originally painted in 1928 by muralist, Norman Kennedy. The murals represent life in a mission village. Since we had just been to the Santa Barbara Mission earlier that day.  While I can’t speak for the food, the ambiance was wonderful and the view spectacular.  Log onto http://www.watermarkonmain.com/ for details.