Downtown Ventura Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Artist is still working on this piece. Cool without that dump of a car in front of it!
Small town coastal vibe just north of LA.
Downtown Ventura in the evening
Junipero Serra statue looking down California Street toward the ocean in Ventura, California, on a winter evening.
Sign welcoming you to Ventura, California. Ventura is a rare case of a city having two names. Its official name, according to the city itself, is San Buenaventura. The Post Office thought that was too long, so shortened it to Ventura, which was then adopted by the federal government. The sign tries to have it both ways.

Popular places to visit

Mission San Buenaventura.

San Buenaventura Mission

San Buenaventura Mission is just one of the places to see in Ventura, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

San Buenaventura Mission
Ventura Harbor featuring general coastal views and sailing

Ventura Harbor

4/5(4 reviews)

Appreciate delicious seafood, sandy beaches, whale watching and charming friendliness in this waterfront area with access to Channel Islands National Park.

Ventura Harbor
Ventura Pier featuring general coastal views, landscape views and a sunset

Ventura Pier

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Enjoy seafood or tacos at the foot of this pier and wander along its old wooden planks for panoramic views of the Channel Islands.

Ventura Pier
Ventura Beach Pier Southern California Sea American Flag

Ventura City Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Ventura City Beach during your trip to Ventura? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Ventura City Beach
🇱🇷 Situated along California's scenic central coast, the City of Ventura was once referred to as the “land of endless summer". There are many uncrowded beaches to discover in this area. • 🏊‍♀️ Like Emma Wood State Beach this area is popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing. It attracts a variety of wildlife on the beach and in the ocean! The beach also offers family camping or RV parking.

Emma Wood State Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Emma Wood State Beach during your travels in Ventura? Stroll along the area's waterfront or experience its lively festivals.

Emma Wood State Beach
a stunning panoramic shot of the vast blue ocean at the beach with smooth silky brown sand and rocks along the beach at sunset with powerful clouds at Rincon Beach in Ventura County California USA

Rincon Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Rincon Beach during your trip to Ventura? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Rincon Beach

Activities

Surf Lessons in Santa Barbara with the Dude

Surf Lessons in Santa Barbara with the Dude

NZ$147
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Surf Lessons in Santa Barbara with the Dude
Santa Barbara Surfing Lesson

Surfing Lesson in Santa Barbara (4 Hours)

NZ$198
per adult
Surfing Lesson in Santa Barbara (4 Hours)
Ventura: Rail Bike Guided Tour with Farm Stand Stop

Ventura: Rail Bike Guided Tour with Farm Stand Stop

NZ$415
per traveller
Ventura: Rail Bike Guided Tour with Farm Stand Stop
See all activities in Ventura

Our pick of the best Downtown Ventura Hotel Deals

Amanzi Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Amanzi Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel

2.5 out of 5
298 S Chestnut St Ventura CA
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$277 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
NZ$277
13 Apr - 14 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,796 reviews)
Great hotel, close to everything in Ventura. Would stay here again.

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

Amanzi Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Clocktower Inn Ventura

Clocktower Inn Ventura

3 out of 5
181 E Santa Clara St Ventura CA
The price is NZ$263 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
NZ$263
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,124 reviews)
Excellent staff, beautiful property, great location. Great breakfast. Very comfy bed. Loved outdoor hot tub.

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026

Clocktower Inn Ventura
Best Western at Ventura Pier

Best Western at Ventura Pier

2.5 out of 5
708 E Thompson Blvd Ventura CA
The price is NZ$264 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
NZ$264
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
Great location close to the beach and across a park, property has been nicely remodeled, friendly staff, would definitely stay here again.

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026

Best Western at Ventura Pier
Travelers Beach Inn

Travelers Beach Inn

2 out of 5
929 E. Thompson Blvd. Ventura CA
The price is NZ$154 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
NZ$154
23 Mar - 24 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Ventura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Rubicon Theatre Company and Cinemark Century Ventura ...
5.2/10 (1,003 reviews)
Fantastic staff and a lovely, affordable option. Thank you!

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

Travelers Beach Inn
Motel 6 Ventura, CA - Downtown

Motel 6 Ventura, CA - Downtown

2 out of 5
350 East Thompson Blvd Ventura CA
The price is NZ$171 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
NZ$171
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Ventura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
Great location. Very clean!

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2026

Motel 6 Ventura, CA - Downtown
Hotel San Buena

Hotel San Buena

4 out of 5
11 S Ash St Ventura CA
The price is NZ$536 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
NZ$536
24 Mar - 25 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Ventura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 beach bars and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions Cinemark Century Ventura Downtown 10 and Rubicon ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (115 reviews)
Exceptional property, great staff!

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2026

Hotel San Buena
See all 1,091 properties in Downtown Ventura
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Ventura

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Westside

Westside might not have many top sights, but Ventura City Hall and Ventura County Fairgrounds are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Westside
This is the Ventura Pier at sunset.

Pierpont Bay

If you're spending some time in Pierpont Bay, Ventura City Beach and San Buenaventura State Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Pierpont Bay
Ventura California. Beach Pier. Aerial scenic Panorama

Midtown

Though Midtown may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Ventura City Beach and Ventura Harbor.

Midtown
The inlet to the harbor becomes a spectacular scene at dusk.

Ventura Harbor Village

If you're spending some time in Ventura Harbor Village, Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands National Park are top sights worth seeing.

Ventura Harbor Village
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Montalvo

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Montalvo and surrounding area, you can visit Golf N' Stuff and Bowlero Oxnard.

Montalvo
Beautiful morning scenery, with sunshine and reflections, palm trees, morning mist, on the Santa Barbara waterfront in California, USA

East End

While East End isn't home to many top sights, Bowlero Oxnard and Golf N' Stuff are some notable places to visit nearby.

East End

Downtown Ventura Travel Guide

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