Ventura is a California coastal community considered one of America’s most desirable places to live. The combination of its phenomenal climate, friendly people and spectacular coastline make Ventura a locale for those who appreciate and enjoy the outdoors. Ventura is known for its thriving cultural scene, award-winning, National Blue Ribbon, California Distinguished Schools, and engaged citizens who actively participate in improving the community.
Ventura, officially named San Buenaventura, was founded in 1782 when Saint Junipero Serra established Mission San Buenaventura, the ninth of the California missions. Serra named the mission after the Italian Saint Bonaventure, hence the nickname that Ventura is the “city of good fortune.” Located along the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Ventura was incorporated in 1866. Ventura has a rich history of people who have lived in the area for at least 10,000 years. Influences of the Chumash as well as Spaniards, Europeans, Chinese and early voyagers remain a significant part of the City’s diverse art, architecture and cultural heritage.
By the 1860s, Mission San Buenaventura was a thriving hub of orchards and gardens watered by a seven-mile aqueduct and the largest ranching operation in California.
The city transformed quickly after the State legislature incorporated “the town of San Buenaventura” on April 2, 1866 and became the County seat in 1873. An oil boom and growth in agricultural operations brought immigrants, wealth, bridges and roadways to the city from 1910 to 1930. Ventura continued to prosper with an eclectic architectural mix of red brick storefronts, terra cotta “Beaux-Arts” buildings, Victorian and Spanish Revival style homes and a magnificent new Ventura County Courthouse built in 1913. Ventura Pier was built in 1872 at a cost of $45,000 and was the longest wooden pier in California.
By 1917, it had been rebuilt to a length of 1,700 feet (520 m). Much of the pier was destroyed by a storm in 1995, but it was subsequently rebuilt.
Today, the City of Ventura is a full-service municipality serving 109,000 residents within the 32 square mile city limits. Nearly 600 staff members focus on delivering key services to our businesses, residents, and visitors to ensure Ventura remains a fiscally stable, economically vibrant, safe, clean, and desirable community.
Ventura, officially San Buenaventura is a city on the Central Coast of California and the county seat of Ventura County.
