Ventura, CA

Travel Guide
Channel Islands National Park showing rugged coastline and general coastal views
Visit this quaint beach town to enjoy its lively cultural scene and its famous surfing conditions. The site was founded by the Franciscan friar, Junipero Serra.

Quaint surfing towns are a West Coast trademark. Ventura, a small city in southern California, is one of the most beloved.

Although universally known as Ventura, the city is officially San Buenaventura. It was founded in 1782 when the Franciscan friar Junipero Serra established his mission. Notice the iron bells that sit along Route 101 marking Fray Serra's famous route along El Camino Real.

Main Street is Ventura's center. Enjoy a delicious meal at one of its many restaurants or sip coffee at an outdoor café. From funky thrift stores to upscale boutiques, this area is crammed with shopping opportunities for every budget.

In the heart of Ventura's old town, visit San Buenaventura Mission. Built in 1782 by Junipero Serra, this was only the ninth Spanish mission established in California. Tour the nearby Olivas Adobe, a 160-year-old historical home that is rumored to be haunted.

Watch a professional performance at the Rubicon Theatre, which hosts several plays throughout the year. Continue cultural immersion at E.P. Foster Library, a cozy establishment that displays rotating exhibits by local artists.

Ventura's downtown beach area is dominated by a pier stretching along Ventura Beach. At one end, surfers gather at Surfer's Point to enjoy the waves every day of the year. At the other, the pier meets the scenic San Buenaventura State Beach. When you're not in the water surfing, the pier is a great place to take a bike ride or just enjoy California’s gorgeous weather.

If Ventura isn't interesting enough with its perfect beaches and fascinating history, it is also home to a famous, albeit fictional, literary character. Author Erle Stanley Gardner, who lived in the city, set the beloved Perry Mason series in Ventura.

Whether you visit Ventura to surf or shop or something else entirely, enjoy this enchanting small city. Remember to bring sunglasses and apply sunscreen, as the weather is warm and sunny year-round.

Where to stay in Ventura

A panoramic view from the bronze mermaid statue at Soter's Point. The place was just a strip of rocky breakwater area until it was developed a few years back. Now park goers and visitors frequent the once neglected place.

Pierpont Bay

4/5(158 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Pierpont Bay, Ventura City Beach and San Buenaventura State Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Pierpont Bay
Ventura showing a sunset

Downtown Ventura

4/5(59 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Ventura, Ventura City Hall and San Buenaventura Mission are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Ventura
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Midtown

Midtown might not have many top sights, but Ventura City Beach and Ventura Harbor are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Midtown
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East End

Though East End might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Golf N' Stuff and Olivas Adobe Historical Park.

East End
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Saticoy

While there might not be top attractions in Saticoy, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Sterling Hills Golf Club and Golf N' Stuff.

Saticoy
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Montalvo

3/5(1 area review)

While Montalvo isn't home to many top sights, Golf N' Stuff and Ventura Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Montalvo
Amanzi Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
Amanzi Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
2.5 out of 5
298 S Chestnut St, Ventura, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,641 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$3,641
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,940 reviews)
Great hotel with great breakfast
"Stayed here for 4 nights. This hotel has been recently renovated inside and the outside is currently getting refurbished. Lots of parking including a convenient parking garage underneath the building. Free breakfast is outstanding with lots of great options and a staff member serves some of the hot ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Amanzi Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
Cliff House Inn On The Ocean
Cliff House Inn On The Ocean
3 out of 5
6602 Old Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura, CA
The price is NT$6,292 per night from Apr 17 to Apr 18
NT$6,292
per night
Apr 17 - Apr 18
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
"People walking and talking on their phones going back and forth. Instruct guests when they check in not to be walking back and forth outside peoples rooms"

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Cliff House Inn On The Ocean
Clocktower Inn Ventura
Clocktower Inn Ventura
3 out of 5
181 E Santa Clara St, Ventura, CA
The price is NT$4,596 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
NT$4,596
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Over all it’s ok"

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Clocktower Inn Ventura
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Channel Island Shores
Channel Island Shores
3 out of 5
1311 Mandalay Beach Rd, Oxnard, CA
Stay at this beach condo in Oxnard. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a library. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Ventura ...
9/10 Wonderful! (504 reviews)
"Enjoy this property for tge beach biking bbq and jaccuzzi"

Reviewed on 2024/3/19

Channel Island Shores
Casa Jardin
Casa Jardin
2.5 out of 5
1018 Garden St, Santa Barbara, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a Smart TV. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (67 reviews)
"Compact but very well designed and stocked."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Casa Jardin
Caravan Outpost
Caravan Outpost
2 out of 5
317 Bryant St., Ojai, CA
Stay at this golf mobile home in Ojai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Soule Park Golf Course and Ojai Art Center ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (195 reviews)
"What a great stay! I would recommend it to anyone interested in just chilling out and enjoying strolling around Ojai. More of an adventure than any Inn."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Caravan Outpost
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Ventura

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
458
" "5 - Excellent 45.52683896620278%
4 - Good
423
" "4 - Good 42.04771371769384%
3 - Okay
105
" "3 - Okay 10.43737574552684%
2 - Disappointing
11
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0934393638170974%
1 - Terrible
9
" "1 - Terrible 0.8946322067594433%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 26, 2020

Visit Ventura, stay at the Holiday Inn Express and enjoy! Even if your just walking around the marina you wont want to leave! Love this city!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 14, 2020

My wife and I truly enjoy Ventura. It has an excellent climate for us and we can always find something to do there.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 11, 2020

Excellent place to get engaged and live.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Apr 7, 2020

This trip was during the Corona virus so it was pretty depressing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 13, 2020

I thought the beach area was a step above other coastal areas I’ve seen on the central coast of California .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 11, 2020

I have always loved Ventura. Thank you.

Cities near Ventura