Ventura (officially San Buenaventura) is a low-key coastal city between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, with a long beach, a revitalised downtown, and a working harbour. It has much of the appeal of Santa Barbara at lower prices and without the crowds.
The historic downtown along Main Street has good restaurants, breweries, and antique shops. Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782 as the last of Junípero Serra's California missions, anchors the centre. The Ventura County Museum of History and Art on East Main Street covers local history from the Chumash era onward.
The main draw for visitors is the Channel Islands National Park. Boats depart from Ventura Harbor for Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and the other islands — a world of sea caves, pristine beaches, hiking trails, and marine wildlife just an hour offshore. The visitor centre at the harbour is worth a stop before you go.
The beach at Surfers Point, near the fairgrounds, is popular for surfing and has a long bike path. The Ventura River Trail heads inland through citrus groves and oak woodland.