The city San Buenaventura, usually referred to as Ventura, was incorporated in 1866. Today, Ventura has a population just over 100,000. Father Junipero Serra founded Mission San Buenaventura in 1782.
Ventura has some of the best surfing in Southern California, especially Surfer's Point. Downtown Ventura is home to the Mission of San Buenaventura, museums, galleries, dining and shopping. Also located downtown is the historic Ortega Adobe Home of the Ortega Family, now famous for their chile products. The Ventura Vistiors Center is located at 101 S. California Street in downtown. It features exhibits on Heritage Valley, Channel Islands National Park, local arts scene, maps and guide books for the area.
One of the most recognizable land marks in Ventura is a site known as Two Trees. These are two lone trees that stand on a hill and can be seen from most of Ventura.
The Ventura Harbor is home to a fishing industry, seafood restaurants and shopping villages. Ventura's fairgrounds is also the home of the Ventura County Fair and over the years has hosted such acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, and Smokey Robinson. The Vans Warped Tour also stops yearly at Ventura Seaside Park at the fairgrounds with line ups including bands such as Yellowcard, Pepper and Avenged Sevenfold.
The Olivas Adobe, one the early California Rancho homes,is operated today as a museum and performing arts venue. Located adjacent to the Olivas Park Golf Course, the home is one of the most visited historic sites on the central coast. Living history reenactments, demonstrations of Rancho life and wonderful ghost stories abound. A summer music series of performances held in the old home's courtyard features an eclectic assortment of artists from blues to jazz to country.
Venutra hosts two college campuses, the Brooks Institute of Photography and Ventura College. Ventura College is a community college, part of the Ventura County Community College District.
Public school students from kindergarten through twelfth grade attend schools in the Ventura Unified School District. The district has two comprehensive high schools. Ventura High in the midtown area just east of downtown and Buena High in east Ventura. Students from throughout the district may attend Foothill Technology High School, a magnet school focusing on technology and health careers. Private schools include St. Bonaventure High School, a Catholic school, and Ventura County Christian School, an evangelical Christian school.
