About Ventura

Welcome to the beautiful City of Ventura -- 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, 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, the City was incorporated in 1866.
Scenic Ventura Overhead Aerial photo by ChristopherMeugniot_2016photocontest

Rich History

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 (now Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Ventura, CA 93001.)

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.