mission san buenaventura

You don't have to spend a lot of time here but it's worth checking out while strolling the downtown Ventura area.

This is a small peaceful mission. It is entered through a gift shop on Main Street (there is a small admission fee of $2) and there is a small somewhat uninteresting museum. When you exit the museum you are in a very nice garden that has been recently relandscaped with a very nice fountain. The chapel is quite beautiful and has the atmosphere of a mission church. It is a great place to just sit and consider life.If you want to see a grander mission I would recommend Santa Barbara or a little further up the coast La Purisima, which is a state park and gives less of a religious but more of a historical bend.If you decide on the Ventura Mission consider also visiting the County Museum just a block down Main, (free admission on the first Sunday of the month) and the Albinger which is down Main from the Mission on the same side of the street. It has more on the Chumash Indian history but limited hours (10 - 2 weekdays, 10- 4 weekends.) Admission is free but it is small. Also consider a visit to the Olivos Adobe about a ten minute drive from the mission, it is a wonderfully restored early California hacienda.There are plenty of places to eat downtown and free parking, so it can be a low cost day.

An interesting old building and a quiet place to sit in the courtyard and reflect. The information desk was helpful with questions I had and the gift shop was full of religious gifts.

this mission is right on the main strip of downtown Ventura. There are so many shops and restaurants just steps away. The mission is small but very well maintained and one of the few that has a warm cozy feeling. The adjacent courtyard is very picturesque too

We have been to several missions, this one is a little small, but the cost to view the site is also small. Worth the couple bucks.

When driving up historic Highway 101, you must exit California off ramp to visit this beautiful and tranquil land mark. The mission and Catholic Church are small in size, but the historic value is inmeasurable. Even if you are not a Catholic, it will still impress you with it' s California history.

The little museum is quaint and the garden is beautiful! The church is breathtaking and inspiring. During the week it is quiet and a refuge. I always come here when I'm in Ventura!!!

I love visiting all the missions and this was no exception. We took a self guided walk and stayed for an hour. If you like historical you will like this.

Based on the large congregation at a Sunday Mass while visiting Ventura, it looks like the Catholic Church is live and well in California.

A beautiful mission founded in 1782 by Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary sent by the Spanish government of Mexico. It is well maintained and still serves as a church. Known for interior paintings done by Chumash Native American converts. Nice courtyard garden.

This mission was beautiful, it's a great example of the missions along the mission trail. I'd recommend stopping if you have an hour and are in the area, or are very interested in missions.

The mission operates on a regular basis and even has a school affiliated with it. The price was fine - $4 for adults and $1 for children. There wasn't much to see but the church was beautiful. If you are visiting the town, it's worth taking a trip here.

Loved touring this mission while in downtown Ventura. It was an impromptu stop and we throughly enjoyed touring this mission. Loved the small but packed with history museum and the chapel that was preparing for the next service.

There are a lot of the California missions to visit but none finer or more in current use. Add the adjaent museum grounds and the Ventura Museum across the street and you have a major history lesson at your feet. The best part is it is all downtown Ventura with amazing things to do after your culture fix.

I would recommend any native or non-native Californian to visit all 21 missions along the 600 mile mission trail. All 21 missions are special and contribute a well preserved history of California.