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City in California, United States
Photo: Jllm06, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ventura is a city of 111,000 people (2020) in Ventura County, a region of California's Central Coast. Ventura mixes old charm with new modern facilities to blend a rich and wonderful background to living.
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Founded in 1782, it was the ninth and last California mission established by Father Serra. Church services, funerals, and weddings are still performed at the mission today. It was one of the most successfully irrigated of the missions, leading to plentiful orchards and vineyards. An original well stands in the back of the church, and a school for children is attached to the side. The Old Mission welcomes visitors daily from sunrise until sunset.
Collections include Chumash and other native American artefacts. $4.
Created out of a historic mattress factory showroom. There are free children's programs that enhance young lives through the arts and provide a cultural revitalization of the Westside. There are also many talented resident artists in studios creating beautiful paintings, jewelry, sculptures, weavings, photographs and ceramics.
A 160-year-old adobe-style house with historical ties. The Adobe is rumored to be haunted. Tours are available.
Ventura's striking neoclassical city hall building and an array of boutique shops.
You can visit spitcast to get the latest surf forecast.
The only regional professional live theatre in Ventura County. Rubicon Theatre Company in its ten year history has been the host to many stars of screen and stage including Susan Clark, Jack Lemmon, Ted Neeley, John Ritter, Linda Purl, Bruce Weitz, Stephanie Zimbalist, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. The Rubicon Theatre Company has enriched the city of Ventura with world-class performances as well as community enrichment.
The E.P. Foster library has 24 public computers and features an extensive collection of "how to" art books. Ventura is also an art community and the library hosts permanent and rotating art collections by local artists. Families will enjoy visiting the second floor which is being transformed into a Children and Teen library.
A great place for hiking, relaxing, volleyball, and children's birthday parties. You can get a great view of the ocean from the top of just about any hill in the park, or climb "The Wall", an infamously steep trail, if you want a challenge.
A fair event every year around the first week of August. Features live concerts, thrill rides, shows, pig racing, and more. Competitions are held among culinary arts, photography, fine arts, and livestock.
At the other end of old town. They have a large beer selection, and fabulous food! Quite a pickup joint, second only to Table 13.
This campy 1950s style diner on Main has become a Ventura landmark. Pop in for a root beer float, raspberry-lime rickey, hot fudge sundae or one of many classic American food favorites.
On the Westside, at 176 N. Ventura Ave., just around the corner from Main Street. A Mexican food institution in Ventura. Try their famous shredded beef burritos prepared "three way"—meaning with beans, rice, and cheese!
Good quality, fresh Mexican food.
Small restaurant near the beach that serves up very fresh, tasty sushi.
This is the best little pizza shack in town. It's perfect after surfing or hanging out at the beach. Also, the guy there will talk to you like he's known you for years. The pizza is thin crust style, and is very good.
The best local pizza restaurant in town. Great for the family. Voted the best pizza two years consecutively by Ventura County Readers Poll. Big televisions and great salad bar.
One of the best Indian restaurants in Ventura. Dinner will set you back about 20 dollars a person.
Sits right on the beach, towering above old town. It's a fabulous view of both Ventura's city charm, and her beautiful ocean shores.
Located in downtown Ventura, walk to the beach and Ventura Pier.
Ventura is 68 miles (110 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on the US Highway 101. Nearby Oxnard sports both a cruise ship port and an airport, but the airport hasn't had scheduled service since 2010.
Read in the guideCalifornia Highway 126, California Highway 33, and US Highway 101 also connect Ventura well, providing a good inner city freeway/motorway network for a city of its size.
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Santa Barbara · Regional · SBA
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