Our Trip to Ventura Nationals 2023

Twenty years after its inception, Ventura Nationals is still going strong as one of the biggest and best custom shows on the West Coast. Held yearly at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, custom cars, bikes, and vendors take over the sixty-two acre, palm-tree-lined space for an idyllic California show.

This year, the motorcycle section was put on by Mike from the local Ventura shop, Olive Street Specials. Hot off a “Best In Show” win at motorcycle rodeo, Virginia City Roundup, for his recent Shovelhead build, Mike created the “Chopper Corral” at Ventura Nationals. While it was more than just choppers, the old west, David Mann “Ghost Rider” vibes were strong.

While David Mann Chopperfest is the biggest motorcycle show to grace the beach town of Ventura, California, Ventura Nationals always has some sneaky unique builds that show up. Two of those this year were a pair of tough-looking Shovelheads with hardcore Frisco styling that included sporting single down tubes.

Of course it’s not just all about the bikes. A solid day at Ventura Nationals includes some mind-bending car builds, from hot rod customized chopped-and-dropped sleds to period-perfect restorations as well. While it is only a one-day show from 10am-5pm, you could easily spend a few days taking in all the details and inevitably miss something that pulls you back the following year.

If you’re thinking about checking out Ventura Nationals next year, be sure to get into town a day early. Many of the local shops host open houses where some of the cars and bikes from Nationals will be pulling in with the owners ready to share their building secrets and inspire your next build.