Ask most Ventura locals about the San Buenaventura State Beach — better known as just the Ventura State Beach — and they will most likely mention the pier. We know that beaches generate revenue in California; but the real money resides in the businesses that take advantage of the beach itself.
For as long as I can remember, Ventura’s pier has stood proudly as a symbol of Ventura’s beach culture. Along the pier are American flags, lights, and benches. You’ll also find anglers as well, casting their line into the cool surf below them. More importantly, however, are the restaurants that sit atop the pier.
Before they had renovated, the Beach House Fish restaurant was Eric Ericsson’s Fish Company. I had never gone there — but I have visited the new restaurant since they added the Madewest tap-room. Sometime between adding the brewery and pivoting from Eric Ericsson’s to Beach House Fish; Beach House Tacos opened up.
I’m not sure who owns the three businesses, but I can say this: they are making beaucoup bucks. I took these pictures around 11:30 in the morning and it’s pretty obvious that it wasn’t busy. But imagine this: hungry families in droves attempting to get a table at Beach House Fish. Meanwhile in the Madewest tap room, a rowdy group of frat boys order their sixth round of beers (they tip poorly). Across the way, a line of hungry locals, anglers, and tourists itching to try a “tah-ko” stretches from the order window to the stairs that lead to the promenade. What I just described is your Friday and Saturday afternoon on the pier.
Unfortunately, underneath the pier isn’t always as glamorous as one hopes. My dog Ella almost ran over a transient that was sleeping underneath the pier. He was in a sleeping bag and surrounded by a small collection of plastic bags. I did not take a picture of him to respect his privacy. There was also trash like plastic water bottles and cups sticking out of the sand underneath the pier. Although we cannot blame the businesses directly; I think I can safely assume that not all of their trash makes it into the dumpster. There’s also the factor of the pier’s guests not properly throwing trash away or disposing of fishing supplies properly.
Let’s go back to the revenue generation on the pier for a moment. There are three bustling enterprises that derive resources from a.) the location, b.) the fish that they pull from the sea. Would it not be fair to say that they should have a hand in taking care of our coast? I understand that we live in a neoliberal society and cash is queen — but if your profiting from off the environment; then the least you can do is at least have a beach clean-up day that awards participants with tacos afterwards. Moreover, homeless people are living underneath your business; then, maybe consider helping them out? Providing a safe space for them to shower and use the restroom and have an affordable meal could be the first step in changing their lifestyle for the better.
There’s no question about it — the beach is a powerful resource for businesses to make money. However, business owners need to consider the negative impacts they have on the coast while trying to make some dough.
Or in this case, tacos.
I really love your post, for 2 reasons.
1) Tacos
2) You really opened up my eyes on the business aspects of the beach!
I do believe that the littering is both the customers fault and the owner of the taco shack’s fault. Every person is playing a part in the way our beaches are treated. I completely value your ideas of taking positive steps to fix this.
Max, I really enjoyed reading your blog as this is one of my favorite places to go on a Sunday afternoon. You are right that not everything makes it into the trash due to the fact that people do not always throw everything away, but Beach House Tacos is trying to help our environment which is why they do not give straws and try to use more eco-friendly containers for their food. Overall, it is our job as customers and also the owners responsibility to keep our beaches and environment clean for everyone.