Century 10 Downtown, 555 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001 cinemark.com. Century 10 lights up the night with blue, green, red and yellow fluorescent decorative designs.

Ventura lights up at night in the beautiful downtown district..  From the standout Century movie theater building to the luminescent signs that advertise restaurant dining, this is a city straight out of a movie set, itself. You can almost hear the shuffle of feet and muffled voices in the night that several hundred years ago echoed in the dark cool air from the mission on the hill. The theatre is only a few years old, but has tastefully created an ambience that most find quite pleasing.

Having come from the West Hollywood nightlife, almost too bright with car lights constantly shining in your eyes, to this darkened, colorful, more natural place, you can take in a movie or wander by restaurants and bars, hearing the sounds of music, live bands, karaoke or people's voices splashing out into the sidewalks and streets of a city that feels more like a village.

After a dinner and movie, if the bar is still open, its really charming to head over to the historic Pierpont Inn for a cocktail. A cozy fireplace, cute gift shop and smell of the gourmet meals all soothe the soul before you must turn your attention to sleep.