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Ventura is a seaside city in southern California located on the Pacific coast. As of 2019, Ventura had an estimated population of 107,431 residents, making it the 16th largest city in California. Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County and is located approximately 65 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

With its proximity to the ocean, subtropical Mediterranean climate, and scenic natural surroundings, Ventura is a popular tourist destination. Some of the city's major attractions include its historic downtown, Ventura Pier, promenade, and picturesque beaches along the coastline.

History of Ventura [1]

The area was long inhabited by the Chumash people, who lived along the coast for thousands of years. The Chumash referred to the area as Shisholop, meaning "The Eyes", likely due to its spectacular ocean views. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo first encountered the area in 1542 while sailing along the California coast for Spain. The next major expedition to encounter the Chumash village was led by Gaspar de Portolà in 1769, as part of the Spanish colonization of Alta California.

In 1782, the Mission San Buenaventura was founded by the Spanish Franciscan missionary Junípero Serra. The mission cultivated olives and grew considerable wealth through cattle ranching. After Mexico's independence from Spain in 1822, the Mexican governor granted the town official pueblo status in 1836. California became part of the United States in 1848 after the Mexican-American War.

Ventura was incorporated in 1866, with rapid population growth coming after the construction of the railroad in 1887. Oil drilling became a major local industry starting in the 1920s. The city continued to grow steadily throughout the 20th century, though population growth slowed after the 1970s. Today, the local economy relies on a mix of agriculture, tourism, services, retail, healthcare, education, and technology companies.

Population and Demographics

As of the 2019 US Census estimates, Ventura had a population of 107,431 residents. The racial makeup of the city was approximately 70.8% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.7% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 39.2% of the population.

The population density was 3,024 people per square mile. The median age was 39.1 years old. The gender breakdown was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

Ventura had 37,073 households, with an average household size of 2.9 people. The median household income was $76,728 and the per capita income was $33,828. Approximately 8.2% of residents lived below the poverty line.

Government and Infrastructure

Ventura has a council-manager form of government. The city council consists of seven locally-elected representatives, including the mayor, who serves as presiding officer. The city council appoints a professional city manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city government and implement policies set by the city council.

The Ventura City Hall address is:

Ventura City Hall
501 Poli St
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 654-7800

Some other key civic infrastructure includes the Ventura Police Department, Ventura Fire Department, Ventura Water municipal utility, Ventura City Library system, parks and recreation services, public transportation services, and more.

Local Economy and Major Employers

The largest industries in Ventura by number of jobs are government, trade/transportation/utilities, professional services, education/healthcare, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is typically low compared to state and national averages.

Some of the major private sector employers based in Ventura include:

Ventura also has a strong agricultural sector centered around the production of citrus and avocados. The US Naval Base Ventura County and the Port of Hueneme are also major area employers.

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce has more resources about the local economy and business environment: venturachamber.com

Transportation

Ventura is served by several major transportation links. U.S. Route 101 and State Route 33 (Ojai Freeway) pass through the city. The historic Ventura Pier provides docking access to the harbor. Amtrak provides passenger rail service on the Pacific Surfliner route with stops at Ventura station. Ventura is also served by Gold Coast Transit, the city's public bus system, as well as VISTA (Ventura Intercity Service Transit Authority) buses connecting to other cities.

The city is home to Ventura Harbor which has berths for over 1,000 boats, as well as amenities like boat rentals and a visitor center. The Ventura Harbor Village is a popular waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and entertainment.

Ventura is served by the general aviation Ventura County Airport about 5 miles northwest of downtown. The closest major international airports are Los Angeles International Airport and Santa Barbara Airport.

Education

Public primary and secondary education in Ventura is provided by the Ventura Unified School District, which oversees 17 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools. There are over 16,000 students enrolled in VUSD schools. Some of the high-performing public schools include:

Ventura Unified School District website: venturausd.org

Higher education options include Oxnard College, California Lutheran University, Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Barbara Business College, and Ventura College. Ventura College was established in 1925 and offers associate degree and certificate programs in a wide range of fields. It is part of the Ventura County Community College District along with Oxnard and Moorpark colleges.

Ventura College website: venturacollege.edu

Museums and Cultural Attractions

As a popular coastal destination, Ventura offers many cultural and recreational attractions for visitors and residents to enjoy. Some highlights include:

Mission San Buenaventura

Founded in 1782, the Mission San Buenaventura historic site features a museum with exhibits on Chumash and mission history. Beautiful gardens, artifacts, and architecture make this a popular stop for history buffs.

Address: 211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

Phone: (805) 643-4318

Website: sanbuenaventuramission.org

Ventura County Museum of History and Art

This museum houses permanent and traveling exhibits related to the art, history and culture of Ventura County and the Channel Islands. Exhibits cover the Chumash people, Spanish colonial era, Mexican era, and more.

Address: 100 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

Phone: (805) 653-0323

Website: venturamuseum.org

Ventura Harbor Village

This scenic harbor area features seaside shops, restaurants, boat rentals, comedy club, carousel, and seasonal festivals and events. You can also take boat cruises to Channel Islands National Park from here.

Address: 1583 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

Website: venturaharborvillage.com

Downtown Ventura

Downtown Ventura is home to historic buildings, antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, breweries, the Majestic Ventura Theater, and more. Main Street is a popular thoroughfare lined with palm trees.

Parks and Recreation

Ventura has over 20 city parks and several miles of scenic bike paths perfect for active outdoor recreation. Some of the top parks include:

The City of Ventura Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships department organizes classes, sports leagues, camps, and community events throughout the city's parks and facilities. More info can be found at: cityofventura.ca.gov/parks-recreation

Landmarks and Points of Interest

Some of the most notable landmarks and attractions in Ventura include:

Ventura Pier

This historic wooden pier extending into the Pacific Ocean is popular for fishing, walking, wildlife viewing, and beautiful sunsets. The pier is located in downtown Ventura near California Street. GPS Coordinates: 34.239706, -119.229134

Surfer's Point and Promenade

This beach and oceanside walk near the mouth of the Ventura River is popular for surfing, walking, and stunning coastal views. Address: Shoreline Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

Plaza Park

Tree-filled downtown park featuring gazebo, fountain, children's play structures, and weekly farmers' market. Address: 500 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura City Hall

The historic 1931 Ventura City Hall building is an impressive civic structure designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style. Address: 501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001

Olivas Adobe

This 1847 Mexican-era rancho home is now a historic site with artifacts, exhibits, gardens, and special events. Address: 4200 Olivas Park Dr, Ventura, CA 93003

Emma Wood State Beach

This scenic coastal park located west of Ventura features picnic areas, campgrounds, surfing, swimming, and nature trails. Address: Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura Botanical Gardens

Nonprofit botanical gardens featuring rare exotic plants from around the world across 5 acres. Address: 567 South Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura Harbor

Picturesque harbor with marinas, shops, restaurants, boat launches, and access to Channel Islands National Park. GPS coordinates: 34.246111, -119.228611

Annual Events

Some of the popular annual events held in Ventura include:

You can find a full event calendar at visitventuraca.com.

Sports and Recreation

As an active beachside community, Ventura offers many opportunities for participating in sports and recreation. The Ventura College Athletic Department oversees 12 intercollegiate sports teams competing in the California Community College Athletic Association, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

Local Media and News

Residents of Ventura have several options to stay up-to-date on local news, events, arts, and entertainment. Some of the major local media outlets include:

Residents also commonly use Facebook groups like Ventura Life and Ventura Talk to discuss community news and events.

Hospitals and Medical Centers

Ventura is served by several high-quality hospitals and medical facilities, including:

Libraries

The Ventura County Public Library system operates several branches throughout the city, providing books, media, internet access, classes, and community space for residents. Some of the Ventura libraries include:

Ventura County Library website: vencolibrary.org

Places of Worship

As a diverse community, Ventura is home to places of worship for many faiths and denominations, including:




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