Central Coast · CA

Ventura

Father Serra's last mission, and the gateway to the islands.

Population: 110,763 (2020 census)
Mission founded: 1782
Pier built: 1872

Then

Before 1782
The Chumash village of Shisholop stands here. Chumash paddlers cross to the islands in plank canoes called tomol.
1782
Junípero Serra founds Mission San Buenaventura, his ninth and last.
1866
The town incorporates.
1872
The wooden pier is built. It is rebuilt several times, including after a 1995 storm.
1920s
The Ventura Oil Field fuels a real estate boom downtown.

Now

Channel Islands National Park has its headquarters at Ventura Harbor, and surfers ride Surfer's Point at Seaside Park.

This stretch runs from Ventura south past Port Hueneme to Mugu Lagoon.

3 tide stations around Ventura

Sources

Ventura, California (Wikipedia)