118-761: Seaside Park (commonly known as the Ventura County Fairgrounds ) is an event venue in Ventura, California , United States. The 62-acre site (25 ha) is the home of the Ventura County Fair . Trade shows , concerts , and other events are held throughout the year at the fairgrounds. The beachfront site, near the mouth of the Ventura River , also includes Surfers' Point, known for its point break that produces distinctive waves. The original 65 acres (26 ha) were donated to
236-561: A parish church. The Mexican secularization act of 1833 was passed twelve years after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Mission land was sold or given away in large grants called ranchos . Rancho Ex-Mission San Buenaventura was a 48,823-acre (197.58 km ) grant that included downtown Ventura. The Battle of San Buenaventura was fought in 1838 between competing armies from northern and southern California. Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado granted Rancho San Miguel to Felipe Lorenzana and Raymundo Olivas, whose Olivas Adobe on
354-472: A 13th-century Franciscan saint and a Doctor of the Church . San Miguel Chapel was the first outpost and center of operations while the first Mission San Buenaventura was being constructed. The first mission burned in 1801 and a replacement building of brick and stone was completed in 1809. The bell tower and facade of the new mission was destroyed by an 1812 earthquake. The Mission was rebuilt and functions as
472-421: A California backyard, complete with a fire pit and a working hot tub; and massive mounds of dirt, sculpted into a high-air course for motocross riders. The return of skateboarder Tony Hawk was featured at the event. Ventura native and professional skateboarder Curren Caples performed in the men's elimination street event. Eugene P. and Orpha Foster envisioned a miniature Golden Gate Park since John McLaren ,
590-516: A Chumash village. They had keen oceanic navigational skills made use of the abundant local resources from sea and land. The Ventura Chumash were in contact with the Channel Islands Chumash; both mainland and island Chumash utilized large plank-sewn seagoing canoes, called Tomol , with the island people bringing shell bead money, island chert, and sea otter pelts to trade for mainland products like acorns and deer meat. In 1769,
708-475: A considerable range in climate because of differences in topography between one part of the county and another. Rainfall is limited in summer and crops have to be irrigated. The average annual temperature is near 60 °F at low elevations near the ocean, in the 50s over most of the northern two-thirds of the county, and less than 45 °F in the Topatopa Mountains . The annual range in temperature
826-471: A female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
944-426: A household in the county was $ 59,666, and the median income for a family was $ 65,285. Males had a median income of $ 45,310, versus $ 32,216 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 24,600. About 6.4% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those aged 65 or over. According to an updated 2005 US Census, median household income
1062-413: A male householder with no wife present. There were 2,621 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 371 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 10,959 households (27.1%) were made up of individuals, and 4,271 (10.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57. There were 25,996 families (64.3% of all households); the average family size
1180-423: A population of 106,433. The population density was 3,316.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,280.4/km ). The racial makeup of Ventura was 76.6% White , 1.6% African American , 1.2% Native American , 3.4% Asian (0.9% Filipino, 0.6% Chinese, 0.4% Indian, 0.4% Korean, 0.4% Japanese, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.5% Other), 0.2% Pacific Islander , 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 31.8% of
1298-416: A saga about a young race car driver starring football great Red Grange , used the fairground track. Ventura, California Ventura , officially named San Buenaventura (Spanish for " Saint Bonaventure "), is a city in and the county seat of Ventura County, California , United States. It is a coastal city located northwest of Los Angeles . The population was 110,763 at the 2020 census . Ventura
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#17327878073421416-624: Is a popular tourist destination, owing to its historic landmarks, beaches, and resorts. Ventura has been inhabited by different peoples, including the Chumash Native Americans, for at least 10,000 years. With the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1782, Mission San Buenaventura was established by Junípero Serra , giving the city its name. Following the Mexican secularization of the Californian missions , San Buenaventura
1534-694: Is a state special-purpose district in the Division of Fairs and Expositions of the California Department of Food and Agriculture . The Fair Board's role is to set and approve policies for the organization. Members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the governor of California . They organize the annual Ventura County Fair and run the Derby Club, a live via satellite horse racing off-track wagering facility. Events are held throughout
1652-517: Is between 70 °F and 80 °F on the Coastal Plain and as much as 100 °F in the interior. For July, the average maximum temperature is between 70 °F and 80 °F on the Coastal Plain but exceeds 90 °F in the upper part of the Ventura- and Cuyama River Valleys. For January, the average minimum temperature is near 40 °F on the coast but in the lower 30s and upper 20s in
1770-526: Is in greenbelts between the cities. Because of this, its private low-key location, its country feel, and its proximity to Los Angeles, the Conejo Valley area has become a very attractive place to live. Like most areas of Ventura County, it once had relatively inexpensive real estate, but prices have risen sharply. For example, real estate in Newbury Park has increased in price by more than 250% in
1888-569: Is known for its steep coastal terrain with little beach access, nearby County Line Beach in the south coast community of Solromar is part of the fabled Malibu coastline. Ventura County has plenty of other surf spots along the coast including the notable surf spot, Rincon Point , on the Santa Barbara County-line. The Channel Islands in Ventura County are Anacapa and San Nicholas Islands . Ventura County has
2006-428: Is operated as a museum and performing arts venue. Living history reenactments, demonstrations of Rancho life and ghost stories are presented. A summer music series of performances held in the courtyard features an eclectic assortment of artists from blues to jazz to country . "Two Trees" is two lone trees on a hilltop, visible from much of Ventura. Access to the hill is private property. In early October 2017, one of
2124-965: Is part of the Greater Los Angeles area (Los Angeles–Long Beach, CA Combined Statistical Area). It is also considered the southernmost county along the California Central Coast . Two of the Channel Islands are part of the county: Anacapa Island , which is the most visited island in Channel Islands National Park , and San Nicolas Island . Ventura County was historically inhabited by the Chumash people , who also settled much of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, with their presence dating back 10,000–12,000 years. The Chumash were hunter-gatherers , fishermen, and also traders with
2242-467: Is popular here with its point break that produces distinctive waves. X Games California 2023 (Summer) event finals which includes skateboarders , BMXers and Moto X riders were held at the fairgrounds in July 2023. Preparation included constructing a street arena for skateboarders and BMX athletes styled to look like a schoolyard with rails, benches and stairs; a skateboard and BMX park that looks like
2360-422: Is small, conserving water and obtaining water from additional sources outside of Ventura County are vital concerns. The climate, though mostly mild and dry, varies because of the variations in topography through for instance differences in elevation and physical geography. The Santa Clara River is the principal waterway. Lake Casitas , an artificial reservoir, is the largest body of water. The highest peaks in
2478-549: Is the historic Ortega Adobe , once home to the Ortega family known for chili products. Downtown Ventura is home to Ventura's ornate city hall . Downtown includes restaurants, wine bars, breweries, and the Rubicon Theatre Company. In Plaza Park (Chestnut and Santa Clara streets, downtown) stands a large Moreton Bay fig tree . Across the street, the main post office has murals on interior walls commissioned by
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#17327878073422596-608: Is the home of the annual Ventura County Fair , and over the years has hosted such acts as Jimi Hendrix , The Grateful Dead , Phish , Smokey Robinson , All American Rejects , Smash Mouth , and Sugar Ray , as well as the Vans Warped Tour . The train station for Amtrak 's Pacific Surfliner route is adjacent to the fairgrounds. Downtown Ventura is home to the Mission San Buenaventura , museums, galleries, dining, and shopping. Located in downtown
2714-582: Is water. Ventura has a Mediterranean climate , typical of most coastal California cities, with the sea breeze off the Pacific Ocean moderating temperatures. It is not uncommon for the city to be affected by Santa Ana winds off the Transverse Ranges on occasion, which increase temperatures dramatically. The community is registered in the census as San Buenaventura (Ventura) . The 2010 United States Census reported that Ventura had
2832-522: Is within a seismically active region like much of California and is crossed by several potentially active fault systems . The Ventura Fault is capable of an 8.0 earthquake and a local tsunami up to 23 feet in height. According to the United States Census Bureau , Ventura has a total area of 32.1 square miles (83 km ), of which 21.7 square miles (56 km ) is land and 10.4 square miles (27 km ), comprising 32.53%,
2950-566: The Chumash Wilderness in the northernmost portion, adjacent to Kern County , as well as the large Sespe Wilderness and portions of both the Dick Smith Wilderness and Matilija Wilderness (both of these protected areas straddle the line with Santa Barbara County). All of the wilderness areas are within the jurisdiction of Los Padres National Forest. The coastal plain was formed by the deposition of sediments from
3068-621: The County of Ventura by Eugene Preston Foster and Orpha Foster, who envisioned the Seaside Park as a miniature Golden Gate Park . The Fosters wanted a beautiful gateway to Ventura, where families could walk and picnic, play tennis, and enjoy family outings. Most of the site is now owned by the State of California and is managed by the 31st District Agricultural Association, an independent state agency. The 31st District Agricultural Association
3186-692: The Mojave , Yokuts , and Tongva Indians. The Chumash are also known for their rock paintings and for their great basketry. Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks has several reconstructed Chumash houses ('apa) and there are several Chumash pictographs in the county, including the Burro Flats Painted Cave in Simi Valley. The plank canoe, called a tomol in Chumash , was important to their way of life. Canoe launching points on
3304-674: The Santa Clara River and from the streams of the Calleguas-Conejo drainage system. It has a mean elevation of fifty feet (15 m), but at points south of the Santa Clara River, the elevation is as much as 150 feet (46 m), and at points north of the river, as much as 300 feet (91 m). The coastal plain is generally known as the Oxnard Plain with the part that centers on Camarillo lying east of
3422-529: The Section of Painting and Sculpture of the U.S. Treasury Department as New Deal art . Ventura Harbor has fishing boats, seafood restaurants and a retail center, the Ventura Harbor Village. The Channel Islands National Park Headquarters is also located at the harbor, and boats to the Channel Islands depart daily. The Olivas Adobe , one of the early "California Rancho"-styled homes,
3540-634: The U.S. 101 corridor and sent population rising in West County cities as well. The largest population growth there has been in Camarillo, Oxnard, and Ventura. Development in the East County and along the US 101 corridor is rare today, because most of these cities, such as Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, are approaching build-out. Although the area still has plenty of open space and land, almost all of it
3658-523: The U.S. Congress . Ventura has four college campuses: Ventura College of Law , Southern California Institute of Law , Santa Barbara Business College and Ventura College . Ventura College of Law is a non-profit law school founded in 1969. Ventura College is a community college , part of the Ventura County Community College District. The Brooks Institute of Photography shut down in 2016 after many years in
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3776-609: The Ventura Raceway is hosted at the fairgrounds when the fair is not in season. The Thousand Oaks shooting at the Borderline dance bar in November 2018 was a month before the last gun show of the year at the fairgrounds. While considering the 2019 season, the fair board only approved the first two gun shows of the new year with the desire to prepare a policy before approving the three additional gun shows requested by
3894-603: The Ventura River is a narrow valley north of Ventura . Ojai Valley is connected to the Ventura River Valley by San Antonio Creek. The small Upper Ojai Valley , east of Ojai Valley and 300 to 500 feet (91 to 152 m) higher, drains to the Ventura River on the west and to Santa Paula Creek on the east. Ojai and Upper Ojai Valleys are surrounded by mountains and are rich agricultural areas. The Ventura River flows south and drains an area of 226 square miles (590 km ). Over South Mountain and Oak Ridge, south of
4012-588: The poverty line , including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over. Ventura is a popular tourist destination in Southern California, owing to its historic landmarks, beaches, and the local leisure economy. Businesses related to tourism and hospitality account for a significant portion of Ventura's economic activity. The outdoor clothing manufacturer Patagonia is based in Ventura. Diaper bag manufacturer Petunia Pickle Bottom
4130-671: The California Voting Rights Act. Council members have four-year terms and their elections are staggered so three or four are up for re-election every two years. The council elects from among its own members a mayor and deputy mayor who serve two-year terms. Joe Schroeder was selected as Mayor of San Buenaventura in December 2022. Ventura is located within California's 26th congressional district , with Julia Brownley currently serving as its representative in
4248-482: The Chumash language that was spoken in Ventura County was Ventureño . Several place names in the county has originated from Chumash, including Ojai , which means moon, and Simi Valley, which originates from the word Shimiyi and refers to the stringy, thread-like clouds that typify the region. Others include Point Mugu from the word Muwu (meaning "beach"), Saticoy from the word Sa'aqtiko'y (meaning "sheltered for
4366-636: The Conejo Grade. Geographically East County is the end of the Santa Monica Mountains , in which the Conejo Valley is located, and where there is a considerable increase in elevation. Communities which are considered to be in the East County are Thousand Oaks , Newbury Park , Lake Sherwood , Hidden Valley , Santa Rosa Valley, part of Westlake Village, Oak Park , Moorpark, and Simi Valley. A majority of these communities are in
4484-476: The Conejo Valley. West County, which is everything west of the Conejo Grade, consists of communities such as Camarillo , Oxnard, Somis, Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Fillmore. West County consists of some of the first developed cities in the county. The largest beach communities are located in West County on the coastline of the Channel Islands Harbor. Starting in
4602-703: The King of Spain was now owned by the nation of Mexico. By the 1830s, Mission San Buenaventura was in a decline with fewer neophytes joining the mission. The number of cattle owned by the mission dropped from first to fifteenth ranking in the California Missions. The missions were secularized by the Mexican government in 1834 . The Mexican governors began granting land rights to Mexican Californians, often retiring soldiers. By 1846, there were 19 rancho grants in Ventura County. In 1836, Mission San Buenaventura
4720-703: The Las Posas-Simi area from the Santa Rosa Valley and Tierra Rejada Valley. The intermountain valley of the Santa Clara River is the most prominent valley in the county and trends east–southwest. The Santa Clara River drains an area of 1,605 square miles (4,160 km ) and flows from its headwaters in Los Angeles to where it empties into the Pacific. Its principal tributaries are Piru Creek , Santa Paula Creek, and Sespe Creek . The valley of
4838-698: The Mission. Fremont and the Battalion continued south to sign the Treaty of Cahuenga with General Andrés Pico . The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo formally transferred California to the United States in 1848. By 1849, a constitution had been adopted for the California territory. The new Legislature met and divided the pending state into 27 counties. At the time, the area that would become Ventura County
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4956-480: The Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The United States Census Bureau ranked the Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area as the 66th most populous metropolitan statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012. The Office of Management and Budget has further designated the Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area as
5074-622: The Revelon Slough is called Pleasant Valley. Most of the arable land in the county is found on the coastal plain. Small coastal mountains rim Ventura County on its landward side. They range in elevation from 50 feet (15 m) along the coast south of the coastal plain, to about 3,100 feet (940 m) in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Santa Ynez Mountains, the Topatopa Mountains , and the Piru Mountains make up
5192-657: The Santa Clara River, are Las Posas Valley and Simi Valley. Las Posas Valley extends eastward from the Oxnard Plain almost to Simi Valley, which is in the east end of Ventura County. The city of Simi Valley is bounded on the east by the Santa Susana Mountains and on the south by the Simi Hills. To the south, over the Camarillo- and Las Posas Hills, are Santa Rosa- and Tierra Rejada Valleys, which extend from Camarillo eastward for ten miles (16 km). In
5310-592: The Santa Clarita Valley killing as many as 600 people, destroying 1,240 homes and flooding 7,900 acres (32 km ) of land, devastating farm fields and orchards. This was the single largest disaster to strike Ventura County and the second largest, in terms of lives lost, in the state. Ventura County can be separated into two major parts, East County and West County, which are divided by the Conejo Grade . East County consists of all cities east of
5428-577: The Spanish Portolà expedition , first recorded European visitors to inland areas of California, came down the Santa Clara River Valley from the previous night's encampment near today's Saticoy and camped near the outlet of the Ventura River on August 14 . Fray Juan Crespi , a Franciscan missionary traveling with the expedition, noted that "we saw a regular town, the most populous and best laid-out of all that we had seen on
5546-492: The Ventura County Government Center, makes current legal resources available to judges, lawyers, government officials, and other users. Ventura is notable for the quality and frequency of the surfing conditions at spots such as Surfer's Point at Seaside Park . X Games California 2023 (Summer) event finals were scheduled for the adjacent Ventura County Fairgrounds . Ventura is the home to
5664-607: The Ventura Hotel (1926), and the Mission Theatre (1928). On March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam , 54 miles (87 km) inland, failed catastrophically , creating a flood that took more than 600 lives as it flowed down the Santa Clara River to the ocean. From the south, travel by auto was slow and hazardous, until the completion of a four-lane freeway ( US Highway 101 ) over the Conejo Grade in 1959. This route, which
5782-427: The altered wave patterns. In 2011, the popular bike and pedestrian path was moved inland as part of a managed retreat project, a first of its kind in California. Cobble was placed 8 feet (2.4 m) deep and covered with sand dunes that would allow the beach to act similarly to how it would under natural conditions. During the 2022-2033 storms with big swells , the project area responded really well with no damage to
5900-449: The annual total is more than thirty-three inches. The drier parts of the county get less than five inches of rain annually, and the higher and wetter parts get more than 60 inches annually. Measureable amounts of rainfall in Ventura County are reported on thirty to thirty-five days annually, and half an inch or more on six to twelve days annually. In the northern parts of Ventura County, snowfall averages five inches or more per year, and along
6018-400: The area suggest that humans have populated the region for at least 10,000–12,000 years. Archaeological research demonstrates that the Chumash people have deep roots in central and southern coastal regions of California, and has revealed artifacts from their culture. Shisholop Village, designated Historic Point of Interest #18 by the city at the foot of nearby Figueroa Street, was the site of
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#17327878073426136-608: The area, buying land from the Mexicans, or simply as squatters . Vast holdings were later acquired by Easterners, including railroad magnate Thomas A. Scott . He sent Thomas R. Bard to handle Scott's property. Ventura had a flourishing Chinese settlement in the early 1880s. The largest concentration of activity, known as China Alley, was just across Main Street from the Mission San Buenaventura. Ventura Pier
6254-600: The banks of the Santa Clara River was the most magnificent hacienda south of Monterey . Fernando Tico also received a Mexican land grant for Ojai and a parcel near the river in downtown Ventura. Following the American Conquest of California in the Mexican–American War , California became a U.S. territory in 1848 and a U.S. state in 1850. After the American Civil War , settlers came to
6372-504: The census of 2000, there were 753,197 people, 243,234 households, and 182,911 families living in the county. The population density was 408 inhabitants per square mile (158/km ). There were 251,712 housing units at an average density of 136 per square mile (53/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 69.9% White , 5.4% Asian , 2.0% Black or African American , 0.9% Native American , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 17.7% from other races , and 3.9% from two or more races. About one third (33.4%) of
6490-515: The city after a lengthy application and ranking process. Three retail and one distribution business without a retail component were selected. Two more permits for the city's coastal zone, which includes downtown were considered and rejected after further information requested from the California Coastal Commission was reviewed. Once the appeals process is completed, applicants worked with the city on safety, security, odor control and other issues before being able to open for business. In late June 2023,
6608-425: The city remains officially known as San Buenaventura, it is more commonly referred to as Ventura. The rail line to Northern California originally went through Saugus , Fillmore and Santa Paula, providing a boom to those communities along the line. In 1905, Tunnel #26 was completed between Chatsworth and Corriganville near Simi Valley, shortening the rail route. At a length of 7,369 feet (2,246 m), Tunnel #26
6726-402: The city was 78.8% White , 1.4% African American , 1.2% Native American , 3.0% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 11.1% from other races , and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 30.4% of the population. There were 38,524 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had
6844-422: The community. County of Ventura Ventura County ( / v ɛ n ˈ t ʊər ə / ) is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 843,843. The largest city is Oxnard , and the county seat is the city of Ventura . Ventura County comprises the Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which
6962-499: The company that produces them. A state law was passed prohibiting the sale of firearms and ammunition on state property such as Seaside Park effective January 1, 2023. The Omer Rains Bike Trail lies outside the fairgrounds fence running along the beach and river levee . Connecting the San Buenaventura State Beach to the south and Emma Wood State Beach to the north, the path is on the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route and also serves as an access point for California Coastal Trail . Surfing
7080-403: The county government is responsible for housing goals in unincorporated areas. Several affordable housing groups that are actively working on building housing for veterans and low income people have long waiting lists. Farmworker housing also has waiting lists though designated units continue to be built. The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Ventura County as
7198-405: The county include Mount Pinos (8,831 ft; 2,692 m), Frazier Mountain (8,017 ft; 2,444 m), and Reyes Peak (7,525 ft; 2,294 m) in the Transverse Ranges . The uplands are well-timbered with coniferous forests , and receive plentiful snow in the winter. Mount Pinos is sacred to the Chumash Indians. It is known to them as Iwihinmu, and was considered to be the center of
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#17327878073427316-418: The county's total area is made up of national forest. Of the land outside of national forest land, approximately 59 percent is agricultural and 17.5 percent urban. North of Highway 126, the county is mountainous and mostly uninhabited, and contains some of the most unspoiled, rugged and inaccessible wilderness remaining in southern California. Most of this land is in the Los Padres National Forest , and includes
7434-507: The designer of that park, was a family friend. They donated the original 65 acres (26 ha) to the County of Ventura , adding another 14 acres (5.7 ha) later. They wanted a beautiful gateway to Ventura, where families could walk and picnic, play tennis, and enjoy family outings. Around 1901, John J. Coit installed and operated a miniature railway in Seaside Park, probably with the unusual gauge of 14 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 368 mm ). The locomotive, which Coit had designed,
7552-422: The downtown was closed to vehicle traffic in June 2020 in an effort to boost business and keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic . Ventura is located northwest of Los Angeles on the California coast . The western portion of the city stretches north along the Ventura River which is characterized by a narrow valley with steeply sloped areas along both sides. The steep slopes of the Ventura foothills abut
7670-412: The dunes. The first phase completed 1,000 feet (300 m) east from the mouth of the Ventura River. The second phase of 800 feet (240 m), funded by the California Coastal Conservancy , will complete the project. In 1922, a horse race was filmed here for The Pride of Palomar , a movie bankrolled by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst 's Cosmopolitan Pictures . In 1927, Racing Romeo ,
7788-529: The early intellectual founders of the Franciscan order. The town that grew up around the mission was originally named San Buenaventura (and retains the name officially), it has been known as Ventura since 1891. In the 1790s, the Spanish Governor of California began granting land concessions to Spanish Californians who were often retiring soldiers. These concessions were known as ranchos and consisted of thousands of acres of land that were used primarily as ranch land for livestock. In Ventura County, Rancho Simi
7906-408: The expedition, Father Juan Crespí , kept a journal of the trip and noted that the area was ideal for a mission to be established and it was a "good site to which nothing is lacking". Also on this expedition was Father Junípero Serra , who later founded a mission on this site. On March 31, 1782, the Mission San Buenaventura was founded by Father Serra. It is named after Saint Bonaventure , one of
8024-446: The fire caused over $ 2.176 billion (2018 USD) in damages, including more than $ 204.5 million in suppression costs, becoming the seventh-most destructive wildfire in state history. The agriculture industry suffered at least $ 171 million in losses due to the Thomas Fire. Southern California Edison paid the county over $ 11 million in claims related to damages and costs since its equipment was likely associated with one ignition point of
8142-419: The fire near Santa Paula. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,208 square miles (5,720 km ), of which 1,843 square miles (4,770 km ) is land and 365 square miles (950 km ) (16.5%) is water. Parts of the county are on the Oxnard Plain which includes the cities of Oxnard , Camarillo , Port Hueneme and much of Ventura . Other cities and communities lie in
8260-488: The first high school opening in 1890. Other towns were being established in the county. A plan for Hueneme (later Port Hueneme) was recorded in 1874, and Santa Paula 's plan was recorded in 1875. Along the banks of the Santa Clara River, the township of New Jerusalem (which would eventually be named El Rio ) was founded in 1875 by the owner of general store named Simon Cohen who became its first postmaster and banker in 1882. The community of Nordhoff (later renamed Ojai )
8378-476: The hills north of Ventura, was producing 90,000 barrels (14,000 m ) of oil a day, with annual production of over 1.5 million barrels. More oil fields came online in the 1920s and 1930s, with the Rincon field , the second largest, in 1927, and the adjacent San Miguelito in 1931. In the early hours of the morning of March 12–13, 1928, the St. Francis Dam collapsed, sending nearly 12,500 million U.S. gallons (47 gigaliters) of water rushing through
8496-677: The hills south of Santa Rosa Valley is the broad Conejo Valley. Santa Rosa Valley, Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, and Tierra Rejada Valley are drained by Calleguas Creek and its principal tributary, Conejo Creek. These creeks originate in the Santa Susana and Santa Monica Mountains . The county's diverse 43-mile (69 km) coastline features a variety of terrain. There are many State beaches: Emma Wood , San Buenaventura , McGrath , and Mandalay State Beach . Other beaches include Channel Islands Beach , Solimar Beach , Oxnard Beach Park , and Silver Strand Beach . While Point Mugu State Park
8614-663: The incubator. The Trade Desk, an industry leader in advertising on streaming services , is the second biggest publicly-traded company in Ventura County by market capitalization . According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: Following the legalization of cannabis in California, local governments can prohibit companies from growing, testing, and selling cannabis within their jurisdiction by licensing none or only some of these activities but may not prohibit adults from growing, using or transporting marijuana for personal use. The state allows deliveries without local agency licensing at
8732-538: The intermountain valleys of the Transverse Range. The Santa Clara River Valley is the most prominent valley, while other valleys include Conejo Valley , Simi Valley , Santa Rosa Valley , Tierra Rejada Valley and Las Posas Valley. Other parts of the county are on small coastal mountains, such as the Santa Ynez Mountains , Simi Hills , Santa Monica Mountains and the Piru Mountains. Most of
8850-487: The journey up to the present time." Archaeological records found that the Chumash village they encountered was settled sometime around AD 1000. Junípero Serra , first leader of the Franciscans in California, founded Mission San Buenaventura in 1782 as his ninth and last mission established near the Chumash village as part of Spain's colonization of Alta California . The mission was named for St. Bonaventure ,
8968-556: The last 10 years. The Thomas Fire was a massive wildfire that affected Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and one of multiple wildfires that ignited in Southern California in December 2017. It burned approximately 281,893 acres (440 sq mi; 114,078 ha), becoming the largest wildfire in modern California history , before it was fully contained on January 12, 2018. The Thomas Fire destroyed at least 1,063 structures, while damaging 280 others; and
9086-617: The lingering smell in the dirt to uncover artifacts that showed heavy utilization by mission inhabitants, Indians, early settlers and Spanish and Mexican soldiers. The Mexican–American War began in 1846 but its effect was not felt in Ventura County until 1847. In January of that year, Captain John C. Frémont led the California Battalion into San Buenaventura to find that the Europeans had fled, leaving only Native Americans in
9204-481: The mainland for trade with the Chumash of the Channel Islands were located at the mouth of the Ventura River , Mugu Lagoon and Point Hueneme. This has led to speculations among archeologists of whether the Chumash could have had a pre-historic contact with Polynesians . According to diachronic linguistics , certain words such as tomolo'o (canoe) could be related to Polynesian languages . The dialect of
9322-703: The mid-20th century, there was a large growth in population in the East County, moving from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and out into the Conejo and Simi Valleys. Part of the Conejo Valley is situated in Los Angeles County . This part consists of Calabasas , Hidden Hills , Agoura Hills , Agoura , and Westlake Village . The other half of the Conejo Valley, which belongs to Ventura County, consists of Lake Sherwood , Hidden Valley , Oak Park , Thousand Oaks , and Newbury Park , which
9440-689: The northern border and Mount Pinos, more than twenty inches. Automobile emissions account for most of the air pollution . Other sources include chemical plants , gasoline stations , paint and cleaning products . Rivers in Ventura County include: The 2010 United States Census reported that Ventura County had a population of 823,318. The racial makeup of Ventura County was 565,804 (68.7%) White , 15,163 (1.8%) African American , 8,068 (1.0%) Native American , 55,446 (6.7%) Asian , 1,643 (0.2%) Pacific Islander , 140,253 (17.0%) from other races , and 36,941 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 331,567 persons (40.3%). As of
9558-596: The northern boundary of the coastal plain, the Santa Susana Mountains are alongside the eastern boundary of the county, and the Simi Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains are along the southern border with Los Angeles County . South Mountain and Oak Ridge are low and long mountains that separate Santa Clara Valley from the Las Posas Valley and Simi Valley . The Camarillo Hills and the Las Posas Hills extend from Camarillo to Simi Valley and separate
9676-481: The northern parts of Ventura County. No temperature data are available for the highest point in the county, Mount Pinos . The length of the growing season ranges more than 300 days near the coast to less than 175 days in the coldest part in northern Ventura County. In both the northern and southern ends of the county, the annual precipitation totals between ten and fifteen inches. In the Topatopa Mountains,
9794-404: The northern portion of the community. Much of the eastern portion is on a relatively flat alluvial coastal plain lying along the western edge of the Oxnard Plain . Several Barrancas extend from the foothills to the Santa Clara River which forms the city's southerly boundary. The city extends up to the beginning of the Santa Clara River Valley at the historic community of Saticoy . Ventura
9912-505: The oil fields in the 1920s, along with the building of better roads to Los Angeles and the affordability of automobiles, enabled a major real estate boom. Symphony concerts and Little League teams were sponsored by the oil companies. Contemporary downtown Ventura is defined by extant buildings from this period. Landmarks built during the oil boom include Ventura Theatre (1928), the First Baptist Church of Ventura (1926),
10030-490: The other five finalists. The Majestic Ventura Theater is an early 20th-century landmark in the downtown. It has been a venue for concerts such as The Doors , Pearl Jam , Van Halen , X , Ray Charles , Red Hot Chili Peppers , Social Distortion , Bad Religion , Fugazi , Incubus , Tom Petty , They Might Be Giants , and Johnny Cash , as well as homegrown artists like KYLE , Cirith Ungol , Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Army of Freshmen . The Ventura County Fairgrounds
10148-406: The petroleum products under Ventura County but none were financially successful, and the oil speculators eventually changed from oil to land development. In 1913, oil exploration began in earnest, with Ralph Lloyd obtaining the financial support of veteran oil man Joseph B. Dabney. Their first well, named "Lloyd No. 1", was started on January 20, 1914. The well struck oil at 2,558 feet (780 m) but
10266-518: The point of delivery. In November 2020, a ballot measure for taxation of cannabis was approved by city voters. The City Council adopted a resolution allowing a maximum number of cannabis businesses in the city in February 2021. The ordinances allow up to three retail permits and up to 10 distribution permits. In October 2022, the City Manager selected four businesses to be allowed to operate in
10384-537: The population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.8% were of German, 7.7% English and 7.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000 . 67.1% spoke English, 26.2% Spanish and 1.5% Tagalog as their first language. There were 243,234 households, of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who
10502-543: The population of Ventura County lives in the southern portion of the county. The major population centers are the Oxnard Plain and the Simi and Conejo Valleys. In local media, the county is usually split between the eastern portion, generally associated with the San Fernando Valley , and the western portion, often referred to as “Oxnard-Ventura". To the east is Los Angeles County . Because the total amount of precipitation
10620-461: The population. The Census reported that 103,940 people (97.7% of the population) lived in households, 755 (0.7%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,738 (1.6%) were institutionalized. There were 40,438 households, out of which 13,014 (32.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 18,907 (46.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4,936 (12.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,153 (5.3%) had
10738-493: The soccer clubs Ventura County Football Club and Ventura County Fusion , of USL League Two . Ventura is also home to the Ventura Raceway, a 1/5mile dirt track which hosts an array of auto racing events throughout the year, including the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix. Ventura had an at-large system of electing council members but changed to seven council districts in 2018 due to threatened legal action based on
10856-651: The students, faculty and staff of the college as well as the general public of Ventura County. The Research Library of the Museum of Ventura County holds books and archival materials related to the history of the county and surrounding regions. Its holdings are catalogued in the Ventura County Library system and the Central Coast Museum Consortium, and the library is open to the public. Ventura County Law Library, located in
10974-533: The three retail businesses that were selected filed a lawsuit against the city for a court order that would end the appeals and force the city to issue them permits. The other five finalists had appealed, resulting in a lengthy delay while the appeal was sent to the California Office of Administrative Hearings. The city decided in late July to issue permits to the three businesses already selected immediately after August 31 and also issue permits to three of
11092-471: The town of San Buenaventura was incorporated, becoming the first officially recognized town in what would become Ventura County. On January 1, 1873, Ventura County was officially split from Santa Barbara County, bringing a flurry of change. That same year, a courthouse and wharf were built in San Buenaventura. A bank was opened and the first public library was created. The school system grew, with
11210-407: The train stop. That community, now bearing the name of the factory shortened to the one word train stop Oxnard, has become the largest city in Ventura County. Oil has been known in Ventura County since before the arrival of the Europeans, as the native Chumash people used tar from natural seeps as a sealant and waterproofing for baskets and canoes. In the 1860s, several attempts were made to harvest
11328-566: The trees was destroyed by high winds. There are three branches of the Ventura County Library in the City of Ventura: E.P. Foster Library on Main Street, Avenue Library on Ventura Avenue, and Hill Road Library on the east side of the city. Saticoy Library is in the unincorporated area of Saticoy outside the east end of the city of Ventura. The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library of Ventura College , dedicated in 2005, serves
11446-538: The universe; being the highest peak in the vicinity, it has unimpeded views in three directions. The USDA Economic Research Service rated Ventura County the most desirable county to live in the 48 contiguous states, using six metrics of climate ("mild, sunny winters, temperate summers, low humidity"), topographic variation, and access to water, "that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer." There are 555,953 acres (224,986 ha) outside of national forest land in Ventura County, which means that 53 percent of
11564-404: The way for development westward. The communities that have seen the most substantial development are Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Newbury Park. The neighboring East County area of Simi Valley saw its already considerable population of nearly 60,000 inhabitants in 1970 grow to over 100,000 over the following two decades. Development moved farther down
11682-540: The wind"), and Sespe Creek from the word S'eqp'e (meaning "kneecap"). In October 1542, the expedition led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo anchored in an inlet near Point Mugu ; its members were the first Europeans to arrive in the area that would become Ventura County. Active occupation of California by Spain began in 1769. Gaspar de Portolà led a military expedition by land from San Diego to Monterey , passing through Ventura County in August of that year. A priest with
11800-470: The year, including trade shows , conventions , concerts , and festivals . The year-round facility has convention facilities, demonstration halls, equestrian facilities which include an 110,000 square feet (10,000 m) arena, and administrative offices. The California Strawberry Festival is an annual 2-day event held on the third weekend in May. Although the original race track and grandstand are long gone,
11918-520: Was $ 66,859, while the mean was $ 85,032. Per capita income was up to $ 29,634, making it the 6th wealthiest county in California. Ventura County typically has limited housing inventory, making it a consistently expensive location in Southern California, where it is usually the third-most-expensive county behind Orange and Los Angeles counties. As of March 2018 , the county was not on track to meet its state-mandated housing goals. Individual cities are responsible for meeting their assigned housing goals, while
12036-494: Was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%. 59,330 people (55.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 44,610 people (41.9%) lived in rental housing units. As of the census of 2000, there were 100,916 people, 38,524 households, and 25,233 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,790.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,849.7/km ). There were 39,803 housing units at an average density of 1,889.5 per square mile (729.5/km ). The racial makeup of
12154-614: Was 3.14. The population was spread out, with 23,918 people (22.5%) under the age of 18, 9,581 people (9.0%) aged 18 to 24, 28,814 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 29,957 people (28.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 14,163 people (13.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males. There were 42,827 housing units at an average density of 1,334.4 per square mile (515.2/km ), of which 22,600 (55.9%) were owner-occupied, and 17,838 (44.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate
12272-407: Was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 52,297, and the other income for a family was $ 60,466. Males had a median income of $ 43,828 versus $ 31,793 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 25,065. About 6.4% of families and 9.0% of the population were below
12390-448: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.46. In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males. The median income for
12508-506: Was again damaged by coastal erosion and began to fail. Initially, fair officials wanted a buried sea wall to protect the bike path that had been damaged. Surfers fiercely objected, fearing that this would destroy the point break near the Ventura River that generates the distinctive waves at Surfers' Point at Seaside Park, the city park area. Environmentalists projected reduced habitat and increased erosion rates on nearby beaches by
12626-610: Was built in 1872 at a cost of $ 45,000 and was the longest wooden pier in California. By 1917, it had been rebuilt to a length of 1,700 feet (520 m). Much of the pier was destroyed by a storm in 1995, but it was subsequently rebuilt. In 1913, the Rincon Sea Level Road and the Ventura River Bridge opened. The large Ventura Oil Field was first drilled in 1919 and at its peak produced 90,000 barrels per day (14,000 m /d). The development of
12744-587: Was destroyed when it went wild. Other wells met a similar fate, until 1916, when a deal was struck with the Shell Oil Company . 1916 was the year that the large South Mountain Oil Field was discovered; other deals followed with General Petroleum in 1917 and Associated Oil Company in 1920. At its peak, the largest oil field in the county, the Ventura Avenue oilfield , discovered in 1919 in
12862-480: Was formerly an unincorporated area that is now the most westerly part of Thousand Oaks. Many working-class people migrated to this area during the 1960s and 1970s out of East and Central Los Angeles . As a result, there was a large growth in population into the Conejo Valley and into Ventura County through the U.S. Route 101 corridor. Making the U.S. 101 a full freeway in the 1960s, and the expansions that followed, helped make commuting to Los Angeles easier and opened
12980-413: Was founded in Ventura. Research and resource company The Barna Group is located near downtown Ventura. In 2009 the City of Ventura created Ventura Ventures Technology Center, a business incubator with a high-tech focus. Ventura Ventures Technology Center was created as an economic engine to develop jobs and companies locally, as well as attract entrepreneurs to the area. The Trade Desk was started in
13098-431: Was granted by Governor Pío Pico to Don José de Arnaz as Rancho Ex-Mission San Buenaventura and a small community arose. Following the American Conquest of California , San Buenaventura was eventually incorporated as a city in 1866. The 1920s brought a major oil boom which significantly developed and expanded Ventura, a growth that continued with the post–World War II economic expansion . Archaeological discoveries in
13216-573: Was granted in 1795 and Rancho El Conejo in 1802. Fernando Tico was granted Ojai and part of Ventura by Gov. Alvarado. In 1822, California was notified of Mexico's independence from Spain and the Governor of California , the Junta, the military in Monterey and the priests and neophytes at Mission San Buenaventura swore allegiance to Mexico on April 11, 1822. California land that had been vested in
13334-546: Was of the camelback type. After a short period of time, he relocated some of the equipment to the Long Beach and Asbury Park Railway . For many years, Babe Ruth Field occupied the area of the main parking lot and served as the home of the Ventura Braves , Ventura Yankees , and Ventura Oilers professional baseball teams. The bike path along the shore was refurbished in 1989. Within a couple of years that path
13452-454: Was started in 1874. Bardsdale , Fillmore , Piru , and Montalvo were established in 1887. 1892 saw Simi (later Simi Valley), Somis , Saticoy , and Moorpark . Oxnard was a latecomer, not being established until 1898. The Southern Pacific Railroad laid tracks through San Buenaventura in 1887. For convenience in printing their timetables, Southern Pacific shortened San Buenaventura to Ventura. The Post Office soon followed suit. While
13570-507: Was the longest tunnel ever constructed in its day. This tunnel joined to the railroad spur coming the other direction from Montalvo through Camarillo, Moorpark and Simi Valley, making the contemporary main line used today. One stop along the way, at a 90-degree turn, was at a sugar beet processing factory. The factory bore the name of its absentee owners, the Oxnard Brothers. A small community of farm and factory workers grew near
13688-416: Was the southern part of Santa Barbara County . The 1860s brought many changes to the area. A drought caused many of the ranchos to experience financial difficulties and most were divided, sub-divided and sold. Large sections of land were bought by eastern capitalists based on favorable reports of petroleum deposits. A United States Post Office was opened at Mission San Buenaventura in 1861. On April 1, 1866,
13806-431: Was transferred from the Church to a secular administrator. The natives who had been working at the mission gradually left to work on the ranchos. By 1839, only 300 Indians were left at the Mission and it slipped into neglect. Several outhouses dating back to the 1800s were discovered in July 2007, at a site that had been cleared to prepare for development. The area proved to be a treasure trove for archaeologists who braved
13924-653: Was widened and improved by 1969, is known as the Ventura Freeway , which directly links Ventura with the rest of the Greater Los Angeles . In 2017, the Thomas Fire started north of Ventura in Santa Paula . Propelled by the Santa Ana Winds , the fire spread into hillside neighborhoods of Ventura and the area above downtown. The fire burned down 504 residences burned in the city. Main Street in
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