Experience the best of Ventura

Ventura stretches along the coast between the sea and the foothills of southern California. The Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782 by Junípero Serra as the last mission he established, stands in the historic downtown, a short walk from the beach. Ventura Pier, one of the longest wooden piers on the west coast, reaches out beside a promenade, and Main Street is lined with Victorian and Spanish-revival buildings, antique shops and cafés.

Channel Islands National Park, with sea caves, kelp forest, seabirds and island foxes, lies offshore, and boats leave from Ventura Harbor, where the park has its visitor centre. The Ojai Valley, a quiet valley of orange groves and mountain light, is a short drive inland, and the beaches and pier of Santa Barbara lie north-west along the coast.

Ventura County grows lemons, avocados and strawberries, which fill the farm stands, and the downtown has fish tacos and craft breweries. Surfers work the point breaks, and the weather is mild and sunny for most of the year.