Ventura, California, USA

Ventura is a city in Ventura County, a region of Southern California. Ventura mixes old charm with new modern facilities to blend a rich and wonderful background to living. Ventura, still officially called San Buenaventura, was founded in 1782 by Fray Junipero Serra with the establishment of his mission.

Along Main Street are fabulous cafes and restaurants, excellent shopping from amazing thrift stores to upscale boutiques, a movie theater, coffee shops, and other attractions. Turn the corner at Main Street and head up Ventura Avenue to the Westside. The Westside is an up and coming area of Ventura with a rich cultural history.

Being a beach town, Ventura has developed the downtown beach area into a wonderful promenade that makes its way along the beach, from "Surfer's Point" past the pier all the way down to the southern end of San Buenaventura State Beach.

Things to See & Do

* San Buenaventura Mission
* Bells Arts Factory
* Ventura Hot Glass Studio
* Olivas Adobe – historical house
* Beach promenade

General information

Cruise Season – May - October
Currency - United States Dollar (USD)
Language - English
Land Area – 84.6 km²
Population – 108,000 approx
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus eight hours
International Country Telephone Code - 1

Travel Links - Ventura is located 68 miles north of LAX on Highway 101. Amtrak service is available at the Ventura station, and nearby Oxnard sports both a cruise ship port and an airport with connecting flights to LAX. Santa Barbara Airport can be a good alternative to LAX or Oxnard with flights to LAX, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix as well as other destinations and it is only about 10-15 minutes away down the breath-taking 101.