Ventura, California

Ventura, California
City
San Buenaventura
Mission San Buenaventura Ventura County Courthouse Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital Ventura Pier Serra Cross
Seal
Location in Ventura County
Ventura Location in Southern California Show map of southern California Ventura Location in California Show map of California Ventura Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 34°16′30″N119°13′40″W / 34.27500°N 119.22778°W / 34.27500; -119.22778
Country	United States
State	California
County	Ventura
Mission	March 31, 1782
Incorporated	April 2, 1866 [1]
Named for	Saint Bonaventure
Government
•  Mayor	Joe Schroeder [2]
•  City manager	Bill Ayub [3]
•  CA Senate	Monique Limón (D) [4]
•  CA Assembly	Steve Bennett (D) [5]
•  U.S. Congress [6]	CA-24: Salud Carbajal (D) CA-26: Julia Brownley (D)
Area [7]
• Total	32.29 sq mi (83.63 km2)
• Land	21.89 sq mi (56.68 km2)
• Water	10.41 sq mi (26.95 km2)  32.53%
Elevation [8]	36 ft (11 m)
Population  (2020) [9]
• Total	110,763
• Rank	4th in Ventura County 62nd in California
• Density	3,400/sq mi (1,300/km2)
Demonym	Venturan
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP codes [10]	93001–93007, 93009
Area code	805
FIPS code	06-65042
GNIS feature IDs	1667934, 2411779
Website	www.cityofventura.ca.gov

Ventura, officially named San Buenaventura (Spanish for "Saint Bonaventure"), ^[11] is a city in and the county seat of Ventura County, California, United States. It is a coastal city located northwest of Los Angeles. The population was 110,763 at the 2020 census. ^[12] Ventura is a popular tourist destination, owing to its historic landmarks, beaches, and resorts.

Ventura has been inhabited by different peoples, including the Chumash Native Americans, for at least 10,000 years. ^[13] With the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1782, Mission San Buenaventura was established by Junípero Serra, giving the city its name. ^[14] Following the Mexican secularization of the Californian missions, San Buenaventura was granted by Governor Pío Pico to Don José de Arnaz as Rancho Ex-Mission San Buenaventura and a small community arose. Following the American Conquest of California, San Buenaventura was eventually incorporated as a city in 1866. The 1920s brought a major oil boom which significantly developed and expanded Ventura, a growth that continued with the post–World War II economic expansion.

History

Ventura was founded by the Spanish in 1782, when Saint Junípero Serra established Mission San Buenaventura.

Chumash

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 the Chumash 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 at the foot of nearby Figueroa Street, 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, called Tomol, 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]}

Spanish era

Mission San Buenaventura in 1839

Don Raymundo Olivas, a retired Californio soldier, built the Olivas Adobe in 1841 on his Rancho San Miguel.

Village of San Buenaventura in 1865

In 1769, the Spanish Portolà expedition, first recorded European visitors to inland areas of California, came down the Santa Clara River Valley from the previous night's encampment near today's Saticoy and camped near the outlet of the Ventura River on August 14. Fray Juan 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, founded Mission San Buenaventura in 1782 as his ninth and last mission established near the Chumash village as part of Spain's colonization of Alta California. ^[21] The mission was named for St. Bonaventure, a 13th-century Franciscan saint and a Doctor 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 a parish church.

Mexican era

The Mexican secularization act of 1833 was passed twelve years after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Mission land was sold or given away in large grants called ranchos. Rancho Ex-Mission San Buenaventura was a 48,823-acre (197.58 km²) grant that included downtown Ventura. The Battle of San Buenaventura was fought in 1838 between competing armies from northern and southern California. Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado granted Rancho San Miguel to Felipe Lorenzana and Raymundo Olivas, whose Olivas Adobe on the banks of the Santa Clara River was the most magnificent hacienda south of Monterey. Fernando Tico also received a Mexican land grant for Ojai and a parcel near the river in downtown Ventura. ^[24]

American era

Fourth of July celebration in 1874. The Parade Marshal is Thomas R. Bard.

Downtown Ventura in 1898

Following the American Conquest of California in the Mexican–American War, California became a U.S. territory in 1848 and a U.S. state in 1850. After the American Civil War, settlers came to the area, buying land from the Mexicans, or simply as squatters. Vast holdings were later acquired by Easterners, including railroad magnate Thomas A. Scott. He sent Thomas 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]}

In 1913, the Rincon Sea Level Road and the Ventura River Bridge opened. ^[30]

Casa de Anza, built in 1929 to house workers from the Ventura Oil Field

The large Ventura 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 the oil boom include Ventura Theatre (1928), the First Baptist Church of Ventura (1926), the Ventura Hotel (1926), and the Mission Theatre (1928). ^{[36] [34]}

On March 12, 1928, the St. 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 the Conejo Grade in 1959. This route, which was widened and improved by 1969, is known as the Ventura Freeway, which directly links Ventura with the rest of the Greater Los Angeles.

In 2017, the Thomas Fire started north of Ventura in Santa Paula. Propelled by the Santa 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[38]

Geography

View of Ventura Harbor

Aerial view of Ventura

Ventura is located northwest of Los Angeles on the California coast. The western portion of the city stretches north along the Ventura 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 flat alluvial coastal plain lying along the western edge of the Oxnard Plain. Several Barrancas extend from the foothills to the Santa Clara River which forms the city's southerly boundary. ^[39] The city extends up to the beginning of the Santa Clara River Valley at the historic community of Saticoy. ^[40]

Ventura is within a seismically active region like much of California and is crossed by several potentially active fault systems. ^[41] The Ventura Fault is capable of an 8.0 earthquake and a local tsunami up to 23 feet in height. ^{[42] [43] [44]} According to the United States Census Bureau, Ventura has a total area of 32.1 square miles (83 km²), of which 21.7 square miles (56 km²) is land and 10.4 square miles (27 km²), comprising 32.53%, is water.

Climate

Ventura, California
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     3.6     67 44     3.8     67 45     2.8     67 47     0.9     69 48     0.3     71 52     0.1     73 56     0.1     76 59     0.1     77 58     0.1     77 57     0.7     75 53     1.1     71 47     2.6     67 44 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     91     19 7     97     19 7     71     19 8     23     21 9     7.6     22 11     2.5     23 13     2.5     24 15     2.5     25 14     2.5     25 14     18     24 12     28     22 8     66     19 7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

Ventura has a Mediterranean climate, typical of most coastal California cities, with the sea breeze off the Pacific Ocean moderating temperatures. It is not uncommon for the city to be affected by Santa Ana winds off the Transverse Ranges on occasion, which increase temperatures dramatically.

Climate data for Ventura, California
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32)	89 (32)	99 (37)	100 (38)	101 (38)	101 (38)	103 (39)	101 (38)	105 (41)	105 (41)	98 (37)	89 (32)	105 (41)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	66.5 (19.2)	66.6 (19.2)	67.4 (19.7)	69.3 (20.7)	70.9 (21.6)	72.7 (22.6)	76.0 (24.4)	77.0 (25.0)	76.7 (24.8)	74.5 (23.6)	70.7 (21.5)	66.7 (19.3)	71.3 (21.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	44.0 (6.7)	45.0 (7.2)	46.7 (8.2)	48.1 (8.9)	52.1 (11.2)	55.6 (13.1)	58.7 (14.8)	58.4 (14.7)	57.0 (13.9)	52.8 (11.6)	47.4 (8.6)	43.6 (6.4)	50.8 (10.4)
Record low °F (°C)	28 (−2)	27 (−3)	33 (1)	34 (1)	35 (2)	39 (4)	41 (5)	46 (8)	41 (5)	33 (1)	31 (−1)	27 (−3)	27 (−3)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	3.59 (91)	3.81 (97)	2.81 (71)	0.92 (23)	0.27 (6.9)	0.04 (1.0)	0.09 (2.3)	0.01 (0.25)	0.07 (1.8)	0.73 (19)	1.09 (28)	2.63 (67)	16.06 (408)
Source 1: [45]
Source 2: [46]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	1,370		—
1890	2,320		69.3%
1900	2,470		6.5%
1910	2,901		17.4%
1920	4,156		43.3%
1930	11,603		179.2%
1940	13,264		14.3%
1950	16,534		24.7%
1960	29,114		76.1%
1970	57,964		99.1%
1980	73,774		27.3%
1990	92,575		25.5%
2000	100,916		9.0%
2010	106,433		5.5%
2020	110,763		4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [47]

The community is registered in the census as San Buenaventura (Ventura). ^{[48] [49]}

Founded in 1782, the Mission Basilica of San Buenaventura is a parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In 2020, Pope Francis elevated it to the category of basilica.

The Serra Cross was first erected on top of Loma de la Cruz in 1782.

2020 census

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.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000 [50]	Pop 2010 [51]	Pop 2020 [52]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	68,710	63,879	59,425	68.09%	60.02%	53.65%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1,284	1,466	1,743	1.27%	1.38%	1.57%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	631	545	399	0.63%	0.51%	0.36%
Asian alone (NH)	2,933	3,523	4,267	2.91%	3.31%	3.85%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	134	167	163	0.13%	0.16%	0.15%
Other Race alone (NH)	152	181	661	0.15%	0.17%	0.60%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	2,499	2,798	5,203	2.48%	2.63%	4.70%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	24,573	33,874	38,902	24.35%	31.83%	35.12%
Total	100,916	106,433	110,763	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2010

The 2010 United States Census ^[53] 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 or Latino 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%) were opposite-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 25,996 families (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.

2000

The Mayan Revival style First Baptist Church of Ventura, built in 1926-32

As of the census ^[54] of 2000, there were 100,916 people, 38,524 households, and 25,233 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,790.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,849.7/km²). There were 39,803 housing units at an average density of 1,889.5 per square mile (729.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.8% White, 1.4% African American, 1.2% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 11.1% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 30.4% of the population.

There were 38,524 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,297, and the other income for a family was $60,466. Males had a median income of $43,828 versus $31,793 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,065. About 6.4% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

San Buenaventura State Beach is a tourist destination.

Shops in Downtown Ventura

Ventura is a popular tourist destination in Southern California, owing to its historic landmarks, beaches, and the local leisure economy. ^[55] Businesses related to tourism and hospitality account for a significant portion of Ventura's economic activity.^{[ citation needed ]}

The outdoor clothing manufacturer Patagonia is based in Ventura. ^[56] Diaper bag manufacturer Petunia Pickle Bottom was founded in Ventura. ^[57] Research and resource company The Barna Group is located near downtown Ventura.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2009 the City of Ventura created Ventura Ventures Technology Center, ^[58] 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. ^[59] The Trade Desk, an industry leader in advertising on streaming services, is the second biggest publicly-traded company in Ventura County by market capitalization. ^[60]

Top employers

The historic Ventura Pier

According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, ^[61] the top employers in the city are:

#	Employer	Number of employees	% of total city employment
1	County of Ventura	8,232	15.08%
2	Ventura Unified School District	2,650	4.85%
3	Community Memorial Health System	2,176	3.99%
4	Employer's Depot Inc.	820	1.50%
5	Patagonia Works (Lost Arrow Corp.)	665	1.22%
6	Kaiser Permanente	656	1.20%
7	Ventura County Community College District	653	1.20%
8	City of San Buenaventura	615	1.13%
9	Target	495	0.91%
10	Ventura Superior Court	305	0.56%

Cannabis

Further information: Cannabis in California

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. ^[62] 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. ^[63] The ordinances allow up to three retail permits and up to 10 distribution permits. ^[64] 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 the California Coastal Commission was reviewed. ^[65] 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. ^[66] 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. ^[67] 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. ^[68]

Arts and culture

Music venues

The historic Ventura Theatre was built as a movie palace in 1928.

The Majestic Ventura Theater is an early 20th-century landmark in the downtown. It has been a venue for concerts such as The Doors, Pearl Jam, Van Halen, X, Ray Charles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Fugazi, Incubus, Tom Petty, They Might Be Giants, and Johnny Cash, as well as homegrown artists like KYLE, Cirith Ungol, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Army of Freshmen. ^{[69] [70]}

The Ventura County Fairgrounds is the home of the annual Ventura County Fair, and over the years has hosted such acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Smokey Robinson, All American Rejects, Smash Mouth, and Sugar Ray, as well as the Vans Warped Tour. The train station for Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route is adjacent to the fairgrounds.

Downtown

Historic California Churrigueresque architecture in Downtown Ventura

Downtown Ventura is home to the Mission San Buenaventura, museums, galleries, dining, and shopping. Located in downtown is the historic Ortega Adobe, once home to the Ortega family known for chili products. Downtown Ventura is home to Ventura's ornate city hall. Downtown includes restaurants, wine bars, breweries, and the Rubicon Theatre Company.

In Plaza Park (Chestnut and Santa Clara streets, downtown) stands a large Moreton Bay fig tree. Across the street, the main post office has murals on interior walls commissioned by the Section of Painting and Sculpture of the U.S. Treasury Department as New Deal art. ^[71]

Other sites

Ventura Harbor is the headquarters for the Channel Islands National Park.

Ventura Harbor has fishing boats, seafood restaurants and a retail center, the Ventura Harbor Village. The Channel Islands National Park Headquarters is also located at the harbor, and boats to the Channel Islands depart daily.

The Olivas 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 from blues to jazz to country.

"Two Trees" is 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. ^{[72] [73]}

Libraries

First National Bank of Ventura

There are three branches of the Ventura County Library in the City of Ventura: E.P. Foster Library ^{[74] [75]} on Main Street, Avenue Library ^[76] on Ventura Avenue, and Hill Road Library on the east side of the city. ^[77] Saticoy Library ^[78] is in the unincorporated area of Saticoy outside the east end of the city of Ventura.

The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library of Ventura College, dedicated in 2005, serves the students, faculty and staff of the college as well as the general public of Ventura County. ^[79]

The Research Library of the Museum 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. ^[80]

Ventura County Law Library, located in the Ventura County Government Center, makes current legal resources available to judges, lawyers, government officials, and other users. ^[81]

Sports

Ventura is notable for the quality and frequency of the surfing conditions at spots such as Surfer's Point at Seaside Park. ^[82] X Games California 2023 (Summer) event finals were scheduled for the adjacent Ventura County Fairgrounds. ^[83]

Ventura is the home to the soccer clubs Ventura County Football Club ^[84] and Ventura County Fusion, of USL League Two.

Ventura is also home to the Ventura Raceway, a 1/5mile dirt track which hosts an array of auto racing events throughout the year, including the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix.

Government

Historic San Buenaventura City Hall

Main article: List of mayors of Ventura, California

Ventura had an at-large system of electing council members ^[85] but changed to seven council districts in 2018 due to threatened legal action based on the California Voting Rights Act. ^[86] Council members have four-year terms and their elections are staggered so three or four are up for re-election every two years. ^[87] The council elects from among its own members a mayor and deputy mayor who serve two-year terms. ^[88]

Joe Schroeder was selected as Mayor of San Buenaventura in December 2022. Ventura is located within California's 26th congressional district, with Julia Brownley currently serving as its representative in the U.S. Congress.

Education

Ventura High School, est. 1889

Ventura has four college campuses: Ventura College of Law, Southern California Institute of Law, Santa Barbara Business College and Ventura College. Ventura College of Law is a non-profit law school founded in 1969. Ventura College is a community college, part of the Ventura County Community College District. ^[89] The Brooks Institute of Photography shut down in 2016 after many years in the community.

Public school students from kindergarten through 12th grade attend schools in the Ventura Unified School District. The district has five high schools: Ventura High in the midtown area, Buena High in east Ventura, Foothill Technology High School, Pacific High School ^[90] and El Camino High School, an independent study program located on the Ventura College campus. Private schools include St. Bonaventure High School, a Catholic school, Ventura County Christian School, ^[91] Ventura Missionary School, ^[92] evangelical Christian schools, and Holy Cross School, Sacred Heart, and Our Lady of the Assumption, Roman Catholic schools for grades pre-kindergarten through 8.

Infrastructure

View of the Pacific Ocean from Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital

Transportation

The major road through Ventura is the Ventura Freeway (U.S. Route 101), connecting the California Central Coast and San Francisco to the north, and Los Angeles to the south. State Route 33, the Ojai Freeway, heads north to Ojai. State Route 126 and State Route 118 head east to Santa Clarita and Simi Valley, respectively.

Ventura–East station, in the historic Montalvo neighborhood, serves as the western terminus of the Ventura County Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system, which extends to Union Station in Los Angeles. The downtown Ventura Amtrak Station is served by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.

Local bus service is provided by Gold Coast Transit. Commuter and intercity bus services are provided by VCTC Intercity and by MTD to Santa Barbara.

Utilities

The historic Spanish Colonial style Ventura Ave. Water Treatment Plant

Ventura provides water to its residents and some unincorporated areas near the city. Water sources are Lake Casitas, the Ventura River, and groundwater. ^[93] The water system includes 3 treatment plants, 10 wells, and 27 reservoirs. The city has rights to State Water Project since the early 1970s but has not built a connection to use the water. ^[94]

Sanitary sewer services began treatment at a single plant in 1955. ^[95] The plant, within a former portion of the estuary of the Santa Clara River, has ponds of treated water that attract birds. ^{[96] [97]} Some recycled water from the plant is used for landscaping and other non potable uses. ^{[98] [99] [100] [101]}

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 remote unincorporated area southeast of Ventura. The city of Ventura annexed the last unincorporated portions of Montalvo in 2012 ^[102] and had already begun to provide water to the community before the annexation. ^[103]

Neighborhoods

• Arundell
• College
• Downtown
• Hillsides
• Hobson Heights
• Juanamaria
• Midtown
• Montalvo
• North Bank
• Olivias
• Pierpoint
• Poinsettia
• Saticoy
• Serra
• Taylor Ranch
• Thille
• Wells
• Westside

In popular culture

The Ventura County Fair, held annually at the Ventura Fairgrounds

Film

The movies Swordfish , Little Miss Sunshine and Erin Brockovich were partially filmed in Ventura. ^[104]

The comedy film The Bet was filmed entirely in the city of Ventura and was written by Ventura residents Chris Jay and Aaron Goldberg, both members of the band Army of Freshmen. ^[105]

Books

Ventura was fictionalized as "Madison City" by long-time resident Erle Stanley Gardner in his D.A. series of crime novels featuring Doug Selby, the crusading district attorney of a rural California county.

Ventura is the setting for Julie Carobini's 2007 book Chocolate Beach.

Music

The America 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. ^[106]

The song "(Girl We got a) Good Thing" by Weezer mentions Ventura in the 2nd verse, where Rivers Cuomo sings "Or driving to Ventura on the 101."

Other

The macOS Ventura operating system was presented at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC2022) on June 6, 2022, after having been named after the city. ^[107]

Ventura is a course in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 . It was called "Skatestreet Ventura".

Notable people

• Anderson .Paak, Grammy-nominated rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and drummer; attended Foothill Technology High School and named his fourth studio album Ventura
• Curren Caples, skateboarder ^[83]
• Frank Churchill, composer for Disney, began his career in Ventura
• George Christie, the long-time president of the Hells Angels Ventura chapter.
• Cirith Ungol, heavy metal band who formed in Ventura in 1972 and are still active
• Matt Corral, NFL quarterback for the Carolina Panthers
• Kevin Costner, actor, attended Buena High School
• James Ennis III, basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers, born in Ventura
• Erle Stanley Gardner (1889–1970) created the fictional lawyer Perry Mason, who appeared first in novels and then later in a television series from 1957 to 1966, followed by several "made-for-TV" movies in the 1980s. Gardner was a lawyer and did much of his early writing in Downtown Ventura. The First National Bank building at California and Main streets, where Gardner's law office was located, bears his name on a state historical marker and is also identified as the "Erle Stanley Gardner Building" over the front entrance.
• Natasha Halevi, actress and director, attended Saint Bonaventure High School
• Kyle, rapper, attended Ventura High School
• Zachary Levi, actor, attended Buena High School
• Fernando Librado (1839–1915), Chumash elder and master builder of the tomol born at Mission San Buenaventura. He worked extensively with John Peabody Harrington in his later life to record much about the Chumash people, language, and culture. ^[108]
• Cameron Rising, quarterback for the Utah Utes
• Theodosia Burr Shepherd (1845–1906), botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in plant breeding; called the "Flower Wizard of California", ^[109] and "The Pioneer Seed-grower", as she was the first woman in California and possibly in the US to hybridize flowers. ^{[110] [109]} Her seed and bulb business, the Theodosia B. Shepherd Company, is considered to be the foundation of the California seed industry and is listed as number 34 in the City of Ventura Historic Landmarks and Districts. She was compared favorably to Luther Burbank. ^[111]
• Steven Thrasher (born 1978), journalist and academic ^[112]
• Sami Whitcomb (born 1988), WNBA shooting guard for the Seattle Storm ^[113]

Sister cities

• Loreto, Baja California Sur (Mexico) ^[114]

See also

• Greater Los Angeles portal

• Foster Park Bowl
• City of Ventura Historic Landmarks and Districts

References

1. "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
2. "City Council". City of Ventura. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
3. "Ventura Council Confirms Appointment Of Former Ventura County Sheriff As New City Manager". KVTA. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
4. "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
5. "Final Maps". We Draw the Lines CA. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
6. "Communities of Interest - City". California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
7. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
8. "Ventura". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved December 3, 2014.
9. "QuickFacts: San Buenaventura (Ventura) city, California". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
10. "ZIP Code(tm) Lookup". United States Postal Service . Retrieved December 3, 2014.
11. 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.
12. "San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA". Data USA. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
13. "City of Ventura - About Ventura". City of Ventura official website. © 2006-2023 Ventura, CA. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
14. "Ventura, CA". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
15. Clerici, Kevin (July 17, 2007). "Artifacts are found at site". Ventura County Star . Archived from the original on December 3, 2013.
16. McCall, Lynne; Perry, Rosalind (2002). California's Chumash Indians : a project of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Education Center (Revised ed.). San Luis Obispo, Calif: EZ Nature Books. ISBN   978-0936784151.
17. Landmark #18: Shisholop Village Site Archived December 8, 2014, at the Wayback Machine accessed October 7, 2013, from link on City Map with Historic Landmarks
18. Anderson, John (1999). "The Chumash Indians Who Live in Ventura County California: The Ventura Chumash" . Retrieved May 7, 2013.
19. "Santa Cruz Island History and Culture". National Park Service. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
20. Bolton, Herbert E. (1927). Fray Juan Crespi: Missionary Explorer on the Pacific Coast, 1769-1774. HathiTrust Digital Library. pp. 159–160.
21. Murphy, Arnold L. (1979). A Comprehensive Story of Ventura County, California. Oxnard, CA: M & N Printing. p. 8.
22. Hogle, Gene NAC Green Book of Pacific Coast Touring (1931) National Automobile Club p.25
23. Stolz, Kit (January 5, 2014). "Ventura earthquake fault more dangerous than previously thought, geologists say". Ventura County Star . Retrieved January 5, 2016.
24. "Spanish and Mexican Land Grants". Ventura County Genealogical Society. Archived from the original on March 18, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
25. "Point of Interest Number: 91 | Historic Name: China Alley Historic Area" (PDF). City of San Buenaventura Historic Landmarks, Districts, and Points of Interest. City of Ventura.
26. Scheibe, John (January 24, 2014). "Ventura Pier closed after piling gives way". Ventura County Star . Retrieved October 26, 2015.
27. Young, Don (2009). Southern California Adventure Guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc.
28. Gorman, Anna (February 8, 1999). "Landmark Pier Readies for Latest Renovation Project". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
29. Langlois, Roseann (July 19, 1999). "Pier Renovation Begins This Week". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
30. Gyllstrom, Paul. "Rincon Sea-Level Road Soon Completed" Motor Age, Volume XXII, 17 October 1912, p. 25
31. Stolz, Kit (April 16, 2009). "Tar on your foot". Ventura County Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
32. Martinez, Arlene (April 6, 2016). "Ventura Oil Field celebrates 100 years". Ventura County Star . Retrieved April 7, 2016.
33. MacGregor, Hilary E. (June 22, 1997). "Decisions on Oil Paved Way for Tale of 2 Cities: Ventura and Santa Barbara". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
34. "The Swift & Company Building" (PDF). Historic Landmark Designation Application. City of Ventura. March 24, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
35. "Historic Landmark #108" (PDF). City of Ventura. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
36. Hamilton, Denise (June 9, 1988) "A New Life Awaits Ventura Theater : Restaurateur Has Big Plans to Book Jazz, Country, Salsa Acts at Ornate Ex-Movie House" Los Angeles Times
37. Rode, Erin (December 10, 2020). "Tale of two apartment buildings burned in Thomas Fire: One nearly done; other yet to start" . Ventura County Star. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
38. Santos, Senerey de los (June 17, 2020). "Downtown Ventura shuts down Main Street to boost economy". News Channel 3-12. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
39. Carlson, Cheri (December 20, 2021). "Ventura may broaden closures of barrancas during red-flag fire conditions" . Ventura County Star. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
40. Rincon Consultants, Inc. (June 2014). "Olivas Park Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report SCH # 1995081004"" (PDF). City of Ventura. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2014.
41. "What do the experts say about Ventura earthquakes?". Ventura County Star . November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
42. Lloyd, Jonathan (August 20, 2015). "Ventura, Oxnard Might Be at Greater Tsunami Risk: Study". Associated Press. Retrieved November 20, 2019– via NBC Southern California.
43. LIN II, RONG-GONG (November 8, 2019). "Swarm of earthquakes hits Ventura". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 10, 2019.
44. Lin II, Rong-Gong (April 20, 2015). "Earthquake fault heightens California tsunami threat, experts say". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 31, 2016.
45. "Ventura, California Climate". www.bestplaces.net. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
46. "NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved August 10, 2021.
47. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
48. "San Buenaventura (Ventura) city, California". Census QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau.
49. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
50. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – San Buenaventura (Ventura) city, California". United States Census Bureau.
51. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – San Buenaventura (Ventura) city, California". United States Census Bureau.
52. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – San Buenaventura (Ventura) city, California". United States Census Bureau.
53. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - San Buenaventura (Ventura) city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
54. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
55. Hersko, Tyler (May 25, 2017). "Beaches and trails lure tourists to Ventura County". Ventura County Star . Retrieved May 27, 2017.
56. "Patagonia Job Listing for Ventura, CA, Reno, NV, and worldwide". Patagonia.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
57. McKinnon, Lisa (July 13, 2013). "In the bag: Ventura-based Petunia Pickle Bottom branches out". Ventura County Star. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
58. "v2tc.com". v2tc.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
59. "The Trade Desk Plans Expansion In Ventura". socaltech. July 25, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
60. Biasotti, Tony (February 15, 2023). "Ventura's Trade Desk bucks industry trend, sees hefty profits from ads in streaming TV". Ventura County Star. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
61. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020" (PDF). City of San Buenaventura.
62. Martinez, Christian (January 2, 2019). "So far, so good for legal marijuana sales in Ventura County". Ventura County Star . Retrieved June 17, 2019.
63. Orozco, Lance (November 4, 2020). "Marijuana-Related Tax Proposals Approved By South Coast Voters". KCLU News. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
64. Woods II, Wes (July 22, 2022). "Potential Ventura cannabis businesses make their case". Ventura County Star. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
65. Woods II, Wes (January 8, 2023). "Appeals put Ventura cannabis operations on hold as frustration sets in". Ventura County Star. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
66. Woods II, Wes (October 25, 2022). "Find out which cannabis businesses will open in Ventura". Ventura County Star. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
67. Biasotti, Tony (July 14, 2023). "After yearslong wait, lawsuit filed as cannabis retailers ready to open in Ventura". Ventura County Star. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
68. Biasotti, Tony (July 28, 2023). "Ventura doubles number of cannabis shops it will allow; first of 6 could open in September". Ventura County Star. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
69. McAlpine, Ken (January 3, 2017). "Exclusive Interview | For Big Bad Voodoo Daddy lead singer Scotty Morris, Ventura is home sweet home". Visit Ventura. Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
70. Locey, Bill (April 17, 2008). "Tom Petty takes a run at the charts with his first band". Ventura County Star . Retrieved August 11, 2020.
71. Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley "Ventura Post Office "Agriculture and Industries of Ventura" – Ventura CA" Archived October 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Living New Deal Accessed March 3, 2014
72. Cason, Colleen (October 14, 2017). "Rest in peace, Two Tree; you will be missed but not forgotten". Ventura County Star. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
73. Martinez, Christian (October 9, 2017). "Windy weather takes out one of Ventura's 'Two Trees'". Ventura County Star. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
74. MacGregor, Hilary E. (April 1, 1997). "E. P. Foster Is Deemed Top Candidate for Main Library". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 18, 2017.
75. "E. P. Foster Library | Ventura County Library". Vencolibrary.org. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
76. "Avenue Library | Ventura County Library". Vencolibrary.org. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
77. "Hill Road Library Grand Opening – Ventura Friends of the Library". venturafriendsofthelibrary.org. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
78. "Saticoy Library — Serving Saticoy, Somis and Ventura's East End | Ventura County Library". Vencolibrary.org. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
79. "About the Library | Ventura College". www.venturacollege.edu. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
80. "Research Library - Museum of Ventura County". Museum of Ventura County. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
81. "About the Library". Ventura County Law Library. November 10, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
82. Thompson, Doug (February 25, 2016). "Stand-up paddleboarders hit Ventura's big waves". Ventura County Star . Retrieved March 23, 2016.
83. Woods II, Wes (July 14, 2023). "Ventura skateboarder Curren Caples ready for hometown X Games". Ventura County Star. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
84. "Ventura County FC". Ventura County Football Club. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
85. Martinez, Arlene (September 6, 2017). "Ventura faces threat of voting rights suit". Ventura County Star . Retrieved November 11, 2017.
86. "District Elections | Ventura, CA".
87. "City Council | Ventura, CA".
88. "Selection of Mayor | Ventura, CA". www.cityofventura.ca.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
89. "Ventura County Community College District". vcccd.edu. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
90. "Pacific". www.venturausd.org.
91. "Ventura County Christian School". Ventura County Christian School.
92. "Ventura Missionary School".
93. Martinez, Arlene (September 30, 2019). "Who gets Ventura River water? Ventura agrees to track, potentially reduce its usage". Ventura County Star . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
94. Wilson, Kathleen (May 26, 2023). "Key funding comes through from EPA to boost water supply in Ventura". Ventura County Star. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
95. Holland, Brooke (August 19, 2021). "EPA chief visits Ventura, talks drought, water infrastructure". Pacific Coast Business Times. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
96. Kisken, Tom (November 24, 2017). "These Ventura ponds are for the birds (and birders)". Ventura County Star . Retrieved August 16, 2020.
97. Heitmann, Cheryl (November 19, 2014) "Ventura mayor defines full-service city" Ventura County Star
98. Martinez, Arlene (September 14, 2019). "Ventura's awash in water litigation. This time, the target is state water". Ventura County Star . Retrieved September 14, 2019.
99. Martinez, Arlene (September 5, 2019). "A look inside Ventura's wastewater operations. What's the future of its estuary discharge?". Ventura County Star . Retrieved September 6, 2019.
100. Biasotti, Tony (October 15, 2019). "Ventura OKs $200 million-plus plan to remove wastewater from estuary. Here's what's next". Ventura County Star. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
101. Woods II, Wes (April 22, 2024). "Ventura considering $13.3M design deal for water purification plant". Ventura County Star. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
102. Biasotti, Tony (October 19, 2011). "Agency approves Parklands annexation in east Ventura". Ventura County Star .
103. Biasotti, Tony (November 14, 2014) "'End of an era' in Montalvo, as sewer district prepares to hand off services" Ventura County Star
104. Clerici, Kevin (October 2, 2010) "Ventura launches campaign to promote film, television" Ventura County Star
105. Baumgardner, Pam (March 5, 2014). “Baker's Dozen Movie Set”, ‘’VenturaRocks.com’’. Retrieved on 2016-04-15.
106. Boucher, Geoff (October 1, 2006). "'Ventura Highway' America 1972". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 22, 2022.
107. Salgado, Cytlalli (June 21, 2022). "macOS Ventura: Apple's new operating system named after city". Ventura County Star. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
108. Johnson, John R. (1982). "The Trail to Fernando". Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology: 132–37.
109. Kallas, Anne (May 14, 2014). "Ventura garden harkens to historic woman's contributions to hybridize flowers". Ventura County Star. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
110. Gray, Lillian (July 7, 1905). "Women who do things: Theodosia Burr Shepherd". The Wilkes-Barre Record. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Retrieved September 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.
111. "Women of the Horticultural World". The Pacific Garden. 5 (1): 6–7. December 1911. Retrieved September 14, 2018. On the foundation which she laid is builded the great seed industry of California.
112. Childs, Jeremy. "Oxnard native Steven Thrasher writes book on 'The Viral Underclass'". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
113. "Sami Whitcomb". VC Sports Hall of Fame. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
114. Staff (March 30, 2015). "Ventura, Loreto discuss new sister city program during binational visit". Ventura County Star . Retrieved March 1, 2016.

External links

• Official website
• Ventura, California on City Data
• Movies and televisions shows filmed in Ventura
• Ventura Visitor's and Convention Bureau
• Ventura Port District
• Ventura Chamber of Commerce