There’s something almost comically perfect about eating golden-fried oysters while sitting at a weathered picnic table with your toes in the sand and the Pacific Ocean providing the soundtrack to your meal.
The Jolly Oyster in Ventura isn’t trying to impress you with fancy decor or elaborate service – it’s too busy serving some of the most extraordinary seafood you’ll find anywhere along California’s 840 miles of coastline.
This unassuming teal-colored shack nestled within San Buenaventura State Beach has become the worst-kept secret among seafood enthusiasts who will drive ridiculous distances just to experience what many swear are the best fried oysters in the Golden State.
The first time you visit The Jolly Oyster, you might wonder if you’ve made a wrong turn…