Neptune's Net: Where the mountains meet the sea and the burger meets the bun

The Beach Boys sang about how all the kids surf Ventura county line in “Surfin USA”. But the Beach Boys failed to mention Neptune’s Net, a burger shack that is just as much a part of county line as the waves. The restaurant attracts tourists, surfers, and bikers driving the Pacific Coast Highway between Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The burger comes with a slice of American cheese poking out from underneath a sesame seed bun. The beef patty itself did not have a lot of flavor but it didn’t really need it. The American cheese gave the burger that cheesy, melt-in-your mouth taste. Below the patty was a slice of tomato and lettuce. The lettuce is worth noting because Neptune’s Net uses a leaf of lettuce instead of shredded lettuce. I personally love the leaf lettuce versus shredded, not only because it’s greener and healthier looking, but it shows you care. Sure the guy making the burger can just rip open a bag of pre-shredded lettuce like some barbarian. But taking that extra effort to pick an edible leaf off a head of lettuce gives the burger a hands-on touch that says, “Hey burger fan, I love burgers and I love you too.”
Neptune’s uses Thousand Island dressing to give their burgers flavor. Overall I thought the burger was good, not outstanding. The burger comes with a hefty price, $4.95, which is a bit steep for a blue-collared sandwich. But you’re not just paying for a burger, you’re paying for location.
Neptune’s Net lies nestled at the base of Santa Monica Mountains, overlooking the ocean. The Net serves as a headquarters for Ventura and LA bikers and surfers. Rows of Hondas, Harleys and Indians sit parked in front of the restaurant.

The motorcycles’ glistening chrome are as much a part of the restaurant as the walls that hold it up. There is even a hired security guard standing watch over the bikes with a starched-white shirt and arms folded in an authoritarian pose.

Once I finished my burger, I walked across the Pacific Coast Highways to watch the surfers dotted along the surface of the water. I ran into a group of old locals gathered above the beach. These guys have seen Neptune’s Net grow up from it’s infancy in the early 60s when they would drink beers with owners pass closing times.
“It was bitchin man,” said Carl, one of county line’s local residents. A huge grin appeared on his face when he described his home.
“This is one of Southern California’s best kept secrets,” he said.

My thoughts exactly.
County line seems to have it all, sun, surfing, hiking, and a burger stand to tie it all together. Neptune’s Net seems as much a part of the landscape as the vast blue ocean or the towering mountains that surround the restaurant.