craftcation 2025 attendee HUB
Welcome Craftcation 2025 Attendees!
I’m Katie Mac – the Managing Director for Craftcation Conference – and I’ll be your point person from now until (and through) the conference.
This is the Attendee News page – your information epi-center for all things Craftcation. Please bookmark it for easy access to information, updates and announcements. This page will be updated regularly so check back often. And of course, I’ll also be sending emails as well so that nothing gets forgotten.
If you have a question that isn’t answered on this page, feel free to email me directly. I’m based in Atlanta (Go Braves and Dawgs!) and am generally online from 9am – 6pm (ET) Mon – Fri with limited access to emails on the weekends. I strive to respond to emails within 48 hours and appreciate your patience in advance.
Craftcation 2025
April 23 - 27, 2025
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON....
Click the subscribe button below to add the Craftcation important dates to your personal calendar.
Use the dropdown menu at the bottom of the calendar to select your timezone.

WORKSHOP ENROLLMENT:
March 15, 2025 – 10am PT
Closes April 10, 2025 at Midnight PT
WANDERINGS APPLICATIONS:
March 1 – 14, 2025
Decision emails by March 25, 2025
POP-UP SHOP – CALL FOR VENDORS:
Open February 1 – February 15, 2025
Decision emails sent by February 28, 2025

LOOKING TO STAY ON-SITE AT THE BEAUTIFUL VENTURA BEACH MARRIOTT?
Ventura Beach Marriott | 2055 E Harbor Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001
Rooms at the Marriott are currently sold out.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY RESERVATION?
Any rooms that are reserved in our block can be canceled within 48 hours before arrival without a penalty. To cancel, simply contact the Ventura Beach Marriott front desk team by calling (805) 643-6000 or cancel within the Bonvoy app or at Marriott.com.
ALL ROOMS AT THE MARRIOTT ARE sold out.
ADDITIONAL LODGING OPTIONS:
- Waypoint Ventura: Vintage trailers near the beach. We’ve never stayed there but it’s SO cute!
- The Pierpont Inn: a two-minute drive from the Marriott. We’ve stayed there before and we liked its quaint atmosphere, cottages and manicured grounds. It recently changed ownership and we haven’t been there since but they have great ocean views and a historical vibe.
- The Crowne Plaza: It’s a three-minute drive to the Marriott. This was the former home of Craftcation. It’s right on the beach and they have lots of patio seating overlooking the ocean. Walkable to downtown Ventura.
- The Best Western: Also a three-minute drive to the Marriott. This is a great old-school style motor inn that was renovated a few years ago to bring back the retro charm a la Schitt’s Creek. Walkable to downtown Ventura!
BY AIR: LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is the most cost-effective nearby airport. It is about 70 miles south of Ventura. Burbank “Bob Hope” Airport is a little more expensive to fly into but is slightly closer to the Ventura area.
No matter which airport you choose, you’ll need to arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel.
BY TRAIN: If you are local to California, we highly recommend traveling by train! Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train runs from San Diego through Los Angeles, and continues north. The Amtrak stop in Ventura is only five minutes from the hotel. The trains also have wi-fi for internet access while you travel! Ditch your car and take the train for the green, hassle-free choice, and immerse yourself in the panoramic views of the ocean on your trip.
BY CAR: Take the 101 Freeway to Seward Avenue.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:
- Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train from Union Station in Los Angeles (get there quick with the flyaway shuttle from LAX), or catch it directly from the Burbank airport
- Roadrunner shuttle from LAX to Ventura.

You need to be ready to go when the clock strikes 10am PT on MARCH 15, 2025. The best way to do that is to spend time BEFORE workshop enrollment opens getting familiar with the schedule, the workshops and the presenter which will be added to the website in December 2024. As we get closer to these enrollment dates, we’ll provide worksheets you can use to create a list of your preferred workshops, and back up choices, to prioritize them for enrollment day. Be open to new adventures and opportunities!
And remember as you create your schedule: make space for downtime, meals, office hours, connecting with each other and enjoying the hotel pool, beach, etc.
Nicole, our CEO and Creative Director, has put together some schedule planning worksheets to help you get organized and prepare for workshop registration. Click the button below to download and get started planning your conference schedule!

Are you so excited about Craftcation 2025 that you want to shout it from the rooftops? (ME, TOO!) Well, how about shouting it online instead? We put together a ton of images, and even some videos for Instagram reels, for you to share on social media, in your newsletters, on your blog, on Facebook, wherever you’d like.

While planning your trip to Craftcation, we encourage you to schedule time to visit some of our favorite places in Ventura! Some even offer discounts and specials for Craftcation attendees (we’ll add that information as it becomes available). Click a category in the list below for more info.
- IN-N-OUT: A favorite take out spot for Californians and right across the street from the Marriott!
2070 Harbor Blvd. - SOCIAL TAP: Upscale American grub-like burgers, chili & wings, plus craft beer & happy hour in a vibrant space.
1105 S Seaward Ave - LUCKY THAI CUISINE: Dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
1141 S Seaward Ave - DUKE’S GRIDDLE ‘N GRILL: Breakfast, burgers & seafood supplied in a laid-back, surf themed place with a full bar & a patio.
1124 S Seaward Ave - SPASSO CUCINA ITALIANA: Homey Italian eatery offering classic pizzas & pasta dishes, plus a bar & patio seating
1140 S Seaward Ave - SURF N’ YOGURT: Adorable little neighborhood self-service yogurt shack.
1038 S Seaward Ave - JOLLY OYSTER: Wonderful little blue trailer serving the freshest oysters in town. Next to the Marriott in the state park beach.
911 San Pedro Street
- RUMFISH Y VINO: Buzzy gastropub featuring Central American plates and inventive cocktails.
34 N. Palm Street - FLUID STATE BEER GARDEN: Craft beer bar and artisanal pizzeria. You will not be disappointed by the mushroom slices!
692 E. Main Street - PALERMO COFFEE: Urban gift/coffee shop with locally roasted brews, gelato, and other treats.
321 E. Main Street - BEACH HOUSE TACOS/FISH: Taco stand on the pier. Great breakfast tacos.
668 Harbor Blvd - BARRELHOUSE 101:
Gastropub with lots of beers on tap and a lively atmosphere.
545 E. Thompson Blvd - SPENCER MACKENZIES: This super casual neighborhood seafood place is our personal favorite; we must eat here every time we are in Ventura!
806 E. Thompson Blvd - RICE THAI CUISINE: Soju cocktails, teas, and thai favorites.
387 E. Main Street - CAFE NOUVEAU: Our #1 FAVORITE breakfast spot in town! High-end restaurant for Californian cuisine offers a plant-filled patio.
1497 E Thompson Blvd - VENTIKI: Great tiki bar with small plates and strong drinks; get the zombie!
701 E. Main Street - PARADISE PANTRY
Thoughtful soups and sandwiches, cheese plates and more – all using artisan products + a wine and cheese shop next door.
222 E. Main Street - TOPA TOPA BREWERY CO
16 rotating taps of hand-crafted beers.
104 E Thompson Blvd - VENTURA COAST BREW CO: Promoting hand-crafted beer culture by focusing on high quality approachable beer styles and experimental ingredients
76 S Oak Street - LEASHLESS BREWING: Certified organic, artisanal independent craft brewery making the world a better place, one glass of organic beer at a time.
585 E Thompson
- CALICO CAT BOOKSHOP:
Vintage and rare bookshop.
495 E. Main Street - B ON MAIN: Beachy, shabby-chic gift store.
446 E. Main Street - GOLDIE’S ON MAIN: Cute clothing boutique.
210 E. Main Street - COPPERFIELDS GIFTS + RARITIES: Great gift store, candles and unique paper goods.
242 E. Main Street - SUPERBUZZY: Amazing fabric store specializing in textiles and craft products from Japan.
1794 E. Main Street - SPICE-TOPIA: Spices, teas, chocolate, and sauces for every dish and drink you can dream up.
576 E. Main Street - OLIVE VENTURA: Premier California extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, gourmet foods, and small production wines.
294 E. Main Street - FINDINGS MARKET: A pop-up experience that supports and features local creatives.
27 S. Oak Street - THE REFILL SHOPPE: Eco-conscious refill shop for home and bodycare. Great if you need toiletries!
363 E. Main Street
- MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY: Learn about the history, art, and culture of Ventura County, including information on the Chumash people or “First People” in this area.
100 E. Main Street - MAKE VENTURA: Shared tool and maker space.
420 E. Santa Clara Street - SAN BUENAVENTURA MISSION
Beautiful historic landmark.
211 E. Main Street - FARMERS MARKETS:
Downtown: Corner of Santa Clara & Palm Streets – Saturdays – 8:30am-12noon
Midtown: Pacific View Mall West Parking Lot 3301 N. Main St. – Wednesdays 9:00am-1:00pm