Ventura, officially namedSan Buenaventura (Spanish for "Saint Bonaventure"),[11] is a city in and thecounty seat ofVentura County, California, United States. It is a coastal city located northwest ofLos Angeles. The population was 110,763 at the2020 census.[12] Ventura is a popular tourist destination, owing to its historic landmarks, beaches, and resorts.
Archaeological discoveries in the area suggest that humans have populated the region for at least 10,000–12,000 years.[15] Archaeological research demonstrates that theChumash people have deep roots in central and southern coastal regions of California, and has revealed artifacts from their culture.[16]: 11 Shisholop Village, designated Historic Point of Interest #18 by the city, was the site of a Chumash village.[17] They had keen oceanic navigational skills made use of the abundant local resources from sea and land.[16]: 36 The Ventura Chumash were in contact with the Channel Islands Chumash; both mainland and island Chumash utilized large plank-sewn seagoing canoes, calledTomol, with the island people bringing shell bead money, island chert, and sea otter pelts to trade for mainland products like acorns and deer meat.[18][19]
Mission San Buenaventura in 1839Don Raymundo Olivas, a retiredCalifornio soldier, built theOlivas Adobe in 1841 on hisRancho San Miguel.Village of San Buenaventura in 1865
In 1769, the SpanishPortolà expedition, first recorded European visitors to inland areas of California, came down theSanta Clara River Valley from the previous night's encampment near today'sSaticoy and camped near the outlet of theVentura River onAugust 14. FrayJuan Crespi, a Franciscan missionary traveling with the expedition, noted that "we saw a regular town, the most populous and best laid-out of all that we had seen on the journey up to the present time."[20] Archaeological records found that the Chumash village they encountered was settled sometime around AD 1000.Junípero Serra, first leader of the Franciscans in California, foundedMission San Buenaventura in 1782 as his ninth and last mission established near the Chumash village as part ofSpain's colonization ofAlta California.[21] The mission was named forSt. Bonaventure, a 13th-century Franciscan saint and aDoctor of the Church.San Miguel Chapel was the first outpost and center of operations while the first Mission San Buenaventura was being constructed. The first mission burned in 1801 and a replacement building of brick and stone was completed in 1809. The bell tower and facade of the new mission was destroyed by an 1812 earthquake.[22][23] The Mission was rebuilt and functions as aparish church.
Following the AmericanConquest of California in theMexican–American War, California became a U.S. territory in 1848 and a U.S. state in 1850. After theAmerican Civil War, settlers came to the area, buying land from the Mexicans, or simply assquatters. Vast holdings were later acquired by Easterners, including railroad magnateThomas A. Scott. He sentThomas R. Bard to handle Scott's property.
Ventura had a flourishing Chinese settlement in the early 1880s. The largest concentration of activity, known as China Alley, was just across Main Street from the Mission San Buenaventura.[25]
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.[26][27][28][29]
Casa de Anza, built in 1929 to house workers from theVentura Oil Field
The largeVentura Oil Field was first drilled in 1919 and at its peak produced 90,000 barrels per day (14,000 m3/d).[31][32] The development of the oil fields in the 1920s, along with the building of better roads to Los Angeles and the affordability of automobiles, enabled a major real estate boom. Symphony concerts and Little League teams were sponsored by the oil companies.[33] Contemporary downtown Ventura is defined by extant buildings from this period.[34][35] Landmarks built during theoil boom includeVentura Theatre (1928), theFirst Baptist Church of Ventura (1926), the Ventura Hotel (1926), and the Mission Theatre (1928).[36][34]
On March 12, 1928, theSt. Francis Dam, 54 miles (87 km) inland,failed catastrophically, creating a flood that took more than 600 lives as it flowed down the Santa Clara River to the ocean.
From the south, travel by auto was slow and hazardous, until the completion of a four-lane freeway (US Highway 101) over theConejo Grade in 1959. This route, which was widened and improved by 1969, is known as theVentura Freeway, which directly links Ventura with the rest of theGreater Los Angeles.
In 2017, theThomas Fire started north of Ventura inSanta Paula. Propelled by theSanta Ana Winds, the fire spread into hillside neighborhoods of Ventura and the area above downtown. The fire burned down 504 residences burned in the city.[37]
Main Street in the downtown was closed to vehicle traffic in June 2020 in an effort to boost business and keep people safe during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[38] In January 2025, the Ventura City Council voted to keep Main Street closed and proceed with its designation of a formal pedestrian mall.[39]
Ventura is located northwest ofLos Angeles on theCalifornia coast. The western portion of the city stretches north along theVentura River which is characterized by a narrow valley with steeply sloped areas along both sides. The steep slopes of the Ventura foothills abut the northern portion of the community. Much of the eastern portion is on a relatively flatalluvial coastal plain lying along the western edge of theOxnard Plain. Several Barrancas extend from the foothills to theSanta Clara River which forms the city's southerly boundary.[40] The city extends up to the beginning of theSanta Clara River Valley at the historic community ofSaticoy.[41]
Ventura has aMediterranean climate, typical of most coastalCalifornia cities, with the sea breeze off the Pacific Ocean moderating temperatures. It is not uncommon for the city to be affected bySanta Ana winds off theTransverse Ranges on occasion, which increase temperatures dramatically.
Ventura city, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The census reported that 97.5% of the population lived in households, 1.7% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.8% were institutionalized.[54]
There were 42,214 households, out of which 28.9% included children under the age of 18, 46.3% were married-couple households, 7.9% werecohabiting couple households, 28.2% had a female householder with no partner present, and 17.6% had a male householder with no partner present. 26.5% of households were one person, and 12.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56.[54] There were 27,462families (65.1% of all households).[55]
The age distribution was 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% aged 18 to 24, 26.6% aged 25 to 44, 26.9% aged 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 41.4years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males.[54]
There were 44,612 housing units at an average density of 2,038.5 units per square mile (787.1 units/km2), of which 42,214 (94.6%) were occupied. Of these, 55.3% were owner-occupied, and 44.7% were occupied by renters.[54]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $100,407, and theper capita income was $49,411. About 6.4% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line.[56]
The2010 United States census[57] reported that Ventura had a population of 106,433. The population density was 3,316.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,280.4/km2). The racial makeup of Ventura was 76.6%White, 1.6%African American, 1.2%Native American, 3.4%Asian (0.9% Filipino, 0.6% Chinese, 0.4% Indian, 0.4% Korean, 0.4% Japanese, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.5% Other), 0.2%Pacific Islander, 5.2% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 31.8% of the population.
The Census reported that 103,940 people (97.7% of the population) lived in households, 755 (0.7%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,738 (1.6%) were institutionalized.
There were 40,438 households, out of which 13,014 (32.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 18,907 (46.8%) wereopposite-sex married couples living together, 4,936 (12.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,153 (5.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,621 (6.5%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 371 (0.9%)same-sex married couples or partnerships. 10,959 households (27.1%) were made up of individuals, and 4,271 (10.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57. There were 25,996families (64.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.14.
The population was spread out, with 23,918 people (22.5%) under the age of 18, 9,581 people (9.0%) aged 18 to 24, 28,814 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 29,957 people (28.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 14,163 people (13.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
There were 42,827 housing units at an average density of 1,334.4 per square mile (515.2/km2), of which 22,600 (55.9%) were owner-occupied, and 17,838 (44.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%. 59,330 people (55.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 44,610 people (41.9%) lived in rental housing units.
Ventura is a popular tourist destination in Southern California, owing to its historic landmarks, beaches, and the local leisure economy.[58] Businesses related to tourism and hospitality account for a significant portion of Ventura's economic activity.[citation needed]
In 2009 the City of Ventura created Ventura Ventures Technology Center,[61] a business incubator with a high-tech focus. Ventura Ventures Technology Center was created as an economic engine to develop jobs and companies locally, as well as attract entrepreneurs to the area.The Trade Desk was started in the incubator.[62] The Trade Desk, an industry leader in advertising onstreaming services, is the second biggestpublicly-traded company in Ventura County bymarket capitalization.[63]
Following the legalization of cannabis in California, local governments can prohibit companies from growing, testing, and selling cannabis within their jurisdiction by licensing none or only some of these activities but may not prohibit adults from growing, using or transporting marijuana for personal use. The state allows deliveries without local agency licensing at the point of delivery.[65] In November 2020, a ballot measure for taxation of cannabis was approved by city voters. The City Council adopted a resolution allowing a maximum number of cannabis businesses in the city in February 2021.[66] The ordinances allow up to three retail permits and up to 10 distribution permits.[67] In October 2022, the City Manager selected four businesses to be allowed to operate in the city after a lengthy application and ranking process. Three retail and one distribution business without a retail component were selected. Two more permits for the city's coastal zone, which includes downtown were considered and rejected after further information requested from theCalifornia Coastal Commission was reviewed.[68] Once the appeals process is completed, applicants worked with the city on safety, security, odor control and other issues before being able to open for business.[69] In late June 2023, the three retail businesses that were selected filed a lawsuit against the city for a court order that would end the appeals and force the city to issue them permits. The other five finalists had appealed, resulting in a lengthy delay while the appeal was sent to the California Office of Administrative Hearings.[70] The city decided in late July to issue permits to the three businesses already selected immediately after August 31 and also issue permits to three of the other five finalists.[71]
Downtown Ventura is home to theMission San Buenaventura, museums, galleries, dining, and shopping. Located in downtown is the historicOrtega Adobe, once home to the Ortega family known for chili products. Downtown Ventura is home toVentura's ornate city hall. Downtown includes restaurants, wine bars, breweries, and the Rubicon Theatre Company.
Ventura Harbor has fishing boats, seafood restaurants and a retail center, the Ventura Harbor Village. TheChannel Islands National Park Headquarters is also located at the harbor, and boats to theChannel Islands depart daily.
TheOlivas Adobe, one of the early "California Rancho"-styled homes, is operated as a museum and performing arts venue. Living history reenactments, demonstrations of Rancho life and ghost stories are presented. A summer music series of performances held in the courtyard features an eclectic assortment of artists fromblues tojazz tocountry.
"Two Trees" refers to two lone trees on a hilltop, visible from much of Ventura. Access to the hill is private property. In early October 2017, one of the trees was destroyed by high winds.[75][76]
There are three branches of theVentura County Library in the City of Ventura: E.P. Foster Library[77][78] on Main Street, Avenue Library[79] on Ventura Avenue, and Hill Road Library on the east side of the city.[80] Saticoy Library[81] is in the unincorporated area of Saticoy outside the east end of the city of Ventura.
The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library ofVentura College, dedicated in 2005, serves the students, faculty and staff of the college as well as the general public of Ventura County.[82]
The Research Library of theMuseum of Ventura County holds books and archival materials related to the history of the county and surrounding regions. Its holdings are catalogued in the Ventura County Library system and the Central Coast Museum Consortium, and the library is open to the public.[83]
Ventura County Law Library, located in the Ventura County Government Center, makes current legal resources available to judges, lawyers, government officials, and other users.[84]
Ventura is the home to the Ventura County Fusion Soccer Club ofUSL League Two. Ventura County Fusion, has won two national championships in 2009 and 2022.
Ventura is also home to the Ventura Raceway, a1⁄5-mile (320 m) dirt track which hosts an array of auto racing events throughout the year, including the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix.
The Department's Parks Division maintains 46 traditional city parks as well as neighborhood, pocket, and linear parks covering 800 acres (320 ha) including open spaces, sports fields, city beaches, community gardens, and the Ventura Aquatic Center, while also overseeing golf course services.[88][89]
In the city's Grant Park, theVentura Botanical Gardens is located and within it and is maintained under a public-private partnership. A privately owned 1 acre (0.40 ha) parcel within Grant Park containsSerra Cross Park, maintained by the Serra Cross Conservancy.[90]
The City maintains two beach areas in Ventura, one stretch from the Ventura Pier to Surfer's Point, across from the Ventura County Fairgrounds and adjacent to the Ventura Promenade; the second stretch is from Marina Park to Camden Lane. Other beaches in the city are maintained by theState and theVentura Port District.[91]
Ventura had an at-large system of electing council members[92] but changed to seven council districts in 2018 due to threatened legal action based on the California Voting Rights Act.[93] Council members have four-year terms and their elections are staggered so three or four are up for re-election every two years.[94] The council elects from among its own members a mayor and deputy mayor who serve two-year terms.[95]
The Montalvo Community Services District looked at the cost of a new treatment plant in 2014 and considered having the city take over their service area and dissolve the district. The Montalvo Municipal Improvement District had been formed 60 years prior to bringing sewer service to what was then a remoteunincorporated area southeast of Ventura. The city of Ventura annexed the last unincorporated portions of Montalvo in 2012[110] and had already begun to provide water to the community before the annexation.[111]
The comedy filmThe Bet was filmed entirely in the city of Ventura and was written by Ventura residentsChris Jay and Aaron Goldberg, both members of the bandArmy of Freshmen.[113]
Ventura was fictionalized as "Madison City" by long-time residentErle Stanley Gardner in hisD.A. series of crime novels featuringDoug Selby, the crusading district attorney of a rural California county.
Ventura is the setting for Julie Carobini's 2007 bookChocolate Beach.
TheAmerica song "Ventura Highway" was inspired by the feel of the coastal highway running through Ventura, when the songwriter saw the sign to Ventura on a childhood family trip.[114]
The song "(Girl We got a) Good Thing" byWeezer mentions Ventura in the 2nd verse, whereRivers Cuomo sings "Or driving to Ventura on the 101."
^Erwin G. Gudde,California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names, 4th ed., rev. and enlarged by William Bright (University of California Press, 1998), p. 410.
^ab"The Swift & Company Building"(PDF). Historic Landmark Designation Application. City of Ventura. March 24, 2014. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on April 13, 2014. RetrievedApril 7, 2016.
^Cotton, Anthony (February 9, 1981)."Like Snow On A Bamboo Leaf".Sports Illustrated. Time Inc. Archived fromthe original on December 5, 2021. RetrievedNovember 11, 2025.
^Gray, Lillian (July 7, 1905)."Women who do things: Theodosia Burr Shepherd".The Wilkes-Barre Record. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. RetrievedSeptember 15, 2018.this quiet indefatigable woman floriculturist was the first person to grow flower seed for the eastern states' trade. Her seeds have found their way throughout Europe. She is the pioneer flower seed grower of California.
^"Women of the Horticultural World".The Pacific Garden.5 (1):6–7. December 1911. RetrievedSeptember 14, 2018.On the foundation which she laid is builded the great seed industry of California.
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