Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Reviews

Accidentally found this Mission while walking around town. A small admission fee for a small mission that contains artifacts of the church's history and offers two videos primarily about Father Serra that will add about half hour to your visit. The garden is cool and well kept. The church is lovely and a section holds relics of many saints. There is a school attached to the complex and the front of the church was being used for a lesson while we were there. Clean restroom, they'll tell you how to access it when you pay entry fee in the Gift Shop. Near plenty of thrift shops and restaurants and a wonderful area with fountain and rose garden. Worth an hour or two visit.

The Mission San Buenaventura has been very well cared for over the years. It is at the end of Main Street and old town Ventura. I will say that the Mission is the star of old town Ventura. To enter the mission start at the gift shop that is just to the right or east of the mission. There yo can pay admission to enter the grounds and sanctuary. The stairs in the gift shop lead to the museum, that is a single room with just a few artifacts. Entering on to the grounds there is a central fountain and several places to pray if you are so inclined. The walking tour leads you to various gardens with lovely cactus. While I was there several cactus were in bloom, a special treat! The main hall of worship has wonderful acoustics. How would I know that? Well as luck would have it the organ player was performing. Maybe it was rehearsal? I don't know for sure, but I do know it was beautiful and I sat for some time listening and feeling blessed that had the opportunity to be in the mission at that time. It was wonderful.

My husband and I found this small mission to be the favorite of the ones we've toured. It's so beautiful from the outside and the courtyard gardens are absolutely gorgeous! You pay a small entrance fee, go through the gift shop, climb 1 flight of stairs, and enter the 1 room museum filled with very old books, drawings, silver and gold altar pieces, and then walk out into a beautiful, peaceful courtyard. There are places to pray, benches to sit and reflect, and then you can walk into the main church part. It's quite small, but interesting to see. I'd recommend seeing this mission if you are in San Buena Ventura (as the gift shop woman told us is the REAL name for the town of Ventura).

Visit the Mission to get away from the noise, hassle, and commercialisation of Main Street. The garden has chimes that play in the wind, even if you are not religious, the peace and calm of the garden will help ease your troubles.

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.

It was so peaceful. The grounds are keep well. A lot of history here. The bathrooms are clean and the stuff was really friendly. I loved their gift shop. It's nice to know that they still have mass service here.

The courtyard of the mission is a marvelous quit space with some early Cali history thrown in. If you are done shopping, dining, beach, whatever-here's a great place to decompress. Check out the mission as well-very charming.

I grew up in Ventura and really never liked the place until now.My moms funeral was here and it is just a quaint little mission.

I was somewhat disappointed with this. It had a very nice gift shop that you walked through before entering the museum part. At least three of the glass cases which housed artefacts were empty! You then entered a most beautiful and tranquil garden which lead into the church. The church was beautiful and very peaceful. Entrance fee was $3 for seniors. If there had been more displayed in the Museum it would have been better.

We enjoyed our walk through of the Mission. There were artifacts from earlier times on display and a nice handout telling about the history of the Mission.

Nice little church, with some history. The video was the best instructional materials, otherwise you just have a nice small garden and a small church. It was only $2 each, and gives you a little history of the catholic church missions along the SoCal coast.

My husband and I have it in our goals to visit all of the Missions, so we have seen some of the grandest and some of the most basic.

We'd rate this one very high and interesting, with beautiful grounds. Its worth it to park at the end of the pedestrian walkway near the rose garden and walk up to the front of the mission from a block away. We ended up there accidentally, but the parking was free and being able to walk up to the Mission from the front was actually quite fabulous.

The displays in the museum were interesting and the church was gorgeous.

Very quick stop. We read some of the history of the place which is informative. Worth a visit. We enjoyed just sitting in the chapel and soaking in the atmosphere.

This is a tiny little mission filled with many memories and stories from our past . Educational as well as spiritual.

The size of the mission is very small. There's not much to see. The admission is four dollars for the adults. Their gift shop was very nice and and tons of stuff.

I did a brief stop in Ventura to see the Mission San Buenaventura. It was founded by Father Junipero Serra on March 31, 1782. It is the ninth Spanish mission in California.

Lots of history here with the missions all linked up to California history. A great place to stroll through the gardens and take some great photographs.

Pretty grounds beautiful flowers. Beautiful sanctuary. Cute little gift shop. Self guided tour but lots of audio and things to read

I am a big history buff and have visited almost all of the California Missions. This has been the smallest one and took about 15 minutes to see. The staff however on this one is not very engaging or happy to work there like the other Missions I have visited. Very disappointing to have such a beautiful historic place and the staff can care less about being friendly or enthusiastic about this gem.

Literally. When its hot outside, its cool and lovely in the church. And they have a holy water station that is open, if you will, to the public, and that is always nice. And the grounds couldn't be more quaint. The best is the little museum type gift shop next door but still part of the Mission. And there is parking next door in a nice size lot, but for handicapped or even closer parking there is a lot in the back that is accessible by an alley which runs parallel to Main St, and can be entered from the first street south of the Mission.

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.

Nice mission but it only took a few minutes to view the small garden and church. There was a museum but it was also very small. Of interest was a wooden church bell with a metal plate on the inside.

Lots of history everyone should check it out when your in ventura at least once. Great for kids to check out all the missions when possible

Mission San Buenaventura is an historic site that visitors should check out. You walk through their gift shop to purchase and pay just $4.00 adult admission. You then walk through their room of artifacts, like books, Catholic items, vestments, wooden bells, and a small model display of what the site use to look like. Walk through another door and you will see the courtyard garden with fountains and statues. Across is the sanctuary where church goers still hold worship services. Beautiful inside. The flowers are beautiful and real! The garden is peaceful and one would come out there relaxed.

You have to enter by way of the gift shop, which doesn't open until 11AM. We were leaving at 10 AM to drive to Ojai. We found a gate open to the garden area, so went in and took some pictures. The church was locked and roped off, so we couldn't go in. Someone found us in the gated garden and didn't seem too happy we had got in. We were shoo'd out and the gate locked behind us. I'm sure it is lovely if you can go at the appropriate time.

This is an historic place and worth the visit. The small museum/bookstore is most interesting and quaint. The artwork in the church is priceless.

One of my favorite missions!!! San Buenaventura is absolutely perfect! It's cute and quaint. Not too big and not too small. The pink inside the mission is absolutely gorgeous! Maybe because pink is my favorite color lol. Located in a picturesque Ventura, this is a must see!

I would recommend this historical mission when visiting Ventura. The courtyard is peaceful and relaxing and the church is interesting.

It is a tiny museum with a few interesting things and there is a magnificent pieta in the mission church that is a replica of one by Michelangelo. It is historically interesting being built in 1782. Other than that...

It's a small mission but docents are very helpful, friendly and informative. I took my mom and she enjoyed it very much.

Wonderful, peaceful, quiet place to visit. The church is one of the earliest examples of Spanish architecture in California, and the small museum is very interesting. Bear in mind that this is a fully operating Catholic Church and the building and gardens should be treated respectfully, e.g. don't touch the walls, take pictures or talk loudly inside. The church is kept dark, and it can inspire thoughtful meditation or prayer.

Love going to missions...they are not only historic, but so quiet and peaceful. The mission is close to antique shops which are fun to explore.

Very informative though self-guided tour. The path is well marked and information signs are plentiful.

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.

Interesting religious site along Ventura's Main Street. There's a fee to enter the mini-museum and gardens but you really can bypass it by entering through the parking. This is a church; they should be generous and not charging. Anyway, once in, do go into the church to see the cast of the Pieta. You can read a bit of the history of the Spanish Catholic influence, and note the order in which the missions were established. Not necessarily from south to north as you might assume.

The mission church is near the Pacific Ocean and what is left of the mission is the church and a small courtyard. There is a school beside it.
The courtyard is very breezy because of the tall trees that covers the sun a fountain in the middle, beautiful setting for meditation and silent prayers.
The Chapel is solemn like any mission church, the museum have a wood bell a first one we ever seen.

Very beautiful mission located on Main street. It is downtown so parking maybe a problem but you can park once and go to mass here, walk around the small garden, then walk along Main street to window shop and have lunch.

This is a working church also so it can busy on Sundays with everyone going to mass. I attended Sunday mass and it was nice.

Mission San Buenaventura is tucked into the historic downtown part of Ventura, California. It is an educational and interesting place to visit. The mission itself is full of history. This was the ninth California mission and the last that Father Junipero Serra founded. There is a small museum at the mission with Chumash and mission artifacts that is worth seeing. There is also a gift shop. The area around the mission also has a great deal of history and educational opportunities.

Stopped in mid day , so glad I did. This mission fell into disrepair in the in 70s. It is one of the most charming areas in Ventura to visit.

This is one of the smaller missions I’ve visited. But is a great visit all the same. I love seeing missions preserved and this one still in use. Grounds are nice. Great view. Visits are self guided. I feel more would be gained for a paid tour to learn more of the history.

Well maintained beautiful and serene historical mission in an older section (also beautiful, attractive, and historic) of Ventura, CA. The replica of Michelangelo’s white marble Pieta sculpture is absolutely stunning - especially the hands. Allocate at least 3-4 hours for your visit and then enjoy one of the local restaurants for a fulfilling day!

For only $4.50 entrance fee, this mission offers a glimpse into some amazing history from the 1780's. Entrance is through the gift shop, which leads to a small museum housing a wooden bell and some smaller artifacts. This opens to a lush courtyard which showcases a central fountain and religious statues. Placards are placed throughout the grounds explaining various aspects of the mission history. The church is still in use today and its grandiosity is the highlight of the outing. Well worth spending an hour to check out this interesting piece of California history.

This mission is not unusual, but it does have a lovely garden that is perfect for a midday rest. Go out back and see the cistern and learn abut how water was brought in.

I brought my family to this mission as an example of what a California mission should be. We had to pay for parking on the street (About $1.00 an hour) and we paid $11.00 for the family to get in. The museum is the first stop, and it was interesting, although it certainly should be upgraded. Then we went to the church, but they were having services there (the gate to the courtyard was wide open, so I wondered why we had to pay anything at all). I then checked the schedule of services, and no service was scheduled at that time. I stood at the front doors of the church, and the church was packed, and I could tell the service had just started. My family was VERY disappointed that we could not get in to see the church, and we went back to the gift store where we entered and paid for our admission, and protested that we couldn't see the primary part of the tour, and we should have been warned. Their comment was a simple "Oh, you can come back later during the day, the service is almost over". Well, I knew the service was not almost over, and no we could not come back later anyway. We asked for our money back, but they refused.
This was just awful and we were not happy, at all.

I suspect the Chumash People were doing pretty well before the arrival of the 'missionaries' and to be honest I didn't gain greatly from the experience either.
Mission San Buenaventura is situated in one of the oldest and most pleasant parts of 'Downtown' Ventura but doesn't begin to compare with the Santa Barbara and San Juan Capistrano equivalents. A tiny museum, a small chapel and pleasant garden...that's about it really...oh and the gift shop which is perhaps what it's actually all about.

This mission was founded by, now, Saint Junipero Serra on Easter Sunday. History has it that this is the last one he would christen. Structure was restored in 1957 situated three blocks from the Pacific ocean ad fronts on the main street of Ventura. The museum artifacts include two old wooden bells the only ones of their type known in California.

Unimpressed, after seeing most of the other Missions. Dim compared to the great one in Santa Barbara

It's a small mission and you can get through it quickly. Definitely deserves a visit if you're goal is to visit as many of the California missions as possible. You have to pay a small fee to enter, but that's to be expected since you're entering a historical building.

So glad we made a stop here. Loved the gardens and displays.Well worth your time to visit. Entered through the gift shop where we paid a small fee

We visited this during a trip to see the Missions of California. On the way up, we stopped and had lunch in the Ventura Harbor. The mission was nicely restored and had an amazing fountain outside that was an artistic rendition of the aqueduct. Be sure to visit Father's Serra's Cross. It is up in the hills and offers a spectacular view of Ventura and the ocean. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy!

We were lucky enough to get a docent to walk us through... Lots more than meets the eye. Good museum, plus a functioning church. Wooden bells, nice moorish fountain and gardens. Strongly suggest getting a tour if it is available.

Lovely gardens....very helpful staff. The Mission is quiet and peaceful...a nice stop in a busy day.

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.

The entrance is in a store front. You must walk up many stairs to reach the level of the mission. The museum is small, but fascinating. The inside is bright and well done. If you have visited many of the 21 California missions, this is nicely done.

The church is still operational. I am sure that this must be the original site, but the church looks as though it has been rebuilt since the 1780. It is promoted as one of the oldest missions in California.

This is not the biggest or most dramatic or most complete for that matter if the California missions, but it is still operated as a mission! The two huge fir trees in front were planted by a sea captain to be replacement masts but he never returned...

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.

Whilst staying in Ventura for a weekend I decided to get a bit of the local history and so walked down Main Street to the 'Mission San Buenaventura'.

Entry into the Mission is via the gift shop and entrance costs US$4.00 for an Adult and US$1.00 for a Child. Opening times are Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm. It is closed on the 4 major public holidays (New Year, Easter, Thanks Giving & Christmas).

As you enter the Mission from the gift shop there is a short flight of stairs that lead into a small museum that has various historic relics from the Mission, mainly as you would expect of a religious nature! On leaving the museum you enter the garden and courtyard with it's fountain and array of trees, shrubs and flowers.

You then enter the Mission Church interior which is a very attractive and interesting piece of a history, dating originally from 1782, however it has been altered, renovated and restored at various times in it's history (early 1900's, 1956 and 1976). The 'Stations of the Cross Paintings' are of interest and the 'Shrine of The Crucifixion' is also pretty amazing. But the most stunning part is the Main Altar which is beautiful.

I am not religious at all (and am very happy that way) but I find Church's of great interest for their historic and architectural value and the Mission is pretty cool.

Out the back of the Church building is the old settling tank, part of the original water system, which is worth a quick look before you head back into the garden area and back through the museum to exit the Mission. You do not need a long time to visit, an hour maximum will suffice and most people may not even need that, but it is still worth a visit if passing through Ventura.


Out the back of the Mission

This is the first of the California Missions that I've visited so I wasn't sure what to expect. The location is beautiful, there is plenty of parking, and it's very peaceful and serene. Soon after I arrived I watched the educational video, which was helpful to me, because as an immigrant from Europe, who's spent most of her life on the East coast, I didn't really understand the full impact the Missions and Catholics in general had on the native Americans. It was an eye-opener to learn the sad history of the Chumash and how the Catholics basically starved and bullied them into submission. There is evidence proudly displayed everywhere that reinforces that the Chumash had their land taken, their own belief systems and culture destroyed and became basically indentured servants to the priests. Although the gardens, fountains, birds, butterflies etc. are absolutely gorgeous and the history well-preserved, the place made me sad. I encourage you to visit and like me, learn more about this sad and regrettable time in history.

Went to a fund raising event and hadn't been in over 30 years. Absolutely a must visit in Ventura. Beautiful, historical, and great piece of architecture!

Easy to pass by (the necessity of first entering a gift shop might confuse potential visitors) Mission San Buenaventura is a serene sanctuary.
Awaiting inside is a hidden gem of serenity, beauty and history.
This includes centuries-old historic artifacts in an intimate museum, and a meticulously maintained Spanish colonial-era Roman Catholic mission (circa 1809) whose sanctuary area contains an exact replica of “The Pieta” marble sculpture in Vatican. Only one hundred of these copies were created.

My husband and I are in the process of visiting all 21 of the California Missions. We stopped by the Mission in Ventura on our way up the coast to Santa Barbara. The Mission is located in the old part of downtown, surrounded by a collection of shops and eateries. We picnicked across the street from the Mission in a shady park.

The exterior of the Mission is striking -- with a big fountain in front and a tall bell tower. You enter through the Mission Gift shop. Religious items and post cards are for sale, along with other gifts. Admission to Mission itself in 4 dollars. Next comes a small Museum with vestments, old photos and a nice collection of Chumash Indian baskets. Beyond is a shaded courtyard and bubbling fountain.

The Chapel has a beautiful retablo and this is a pleasant place to pause and reflect. Of the Missions we have visited so far, this is not our favorite. It lacks the workshops and interpretive displays of some of the other Missions -- exhibits that help bring Mission history to life. But if you are visiting all the Missions (as we are) this one is on the list. It was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1782 and is the ninth of the 21 Missions.

One of the oldest missions with a lot of history. There is a charge to go inside. Interesting history with Chumash Indians.

I have been to the mission many times as I have visited since I was a kid. It is always beautiful and peaceful. The grounds are well maintained, and the gift shop is very nice. It is a great addition to your visit to Ventura and Main Street.

As California Missions go, this is a tiny one, but still worth the visit. There is a small collection of historical artifacts, beautiful gardens, and a pretty chapel. If it's your only chance to see a CA mission, go, but the one up the road in Santa Barbara is much bigger and more impressive...about 1 hour north.

It is beautiful. I enjoyed it there is a lot of history here like stepping back in time over 200 years. The have a very nice gift shop and the church is so pretty.

The grounds of Mission San Buenaventura are fairly small--really just the church and gardens--but very pretty, and inside the church is a beautiful replica of Michaelangelo's Pieta. You enter through the gift shop, just east of the church. For $5, it's a nice, quick stop to see some of the history of Ventura.

I enjoy going to missions because I am always amazed with what was done without the technology that was even around when structures like the Golden Gate Bridge or the Temple Court Building and Annex built in 1881 which is the oldest surviving skyscraper in New York. In the mission I look up to the tall ceilings with its ornate beams across a fairly wide expanse. The thick walls, the old door and the altar area fascinates me. Some people might say all missions look alike, I think each one has their own unique character.
In front of the mission there is a fountain that has a moat that carries water about 25 feet down to another like fountain. A fun note is the large chair that you can sit in that makes you look small.

When in ventura you really should take the time to explore this beautiful and historic mission. It is one of the most beautiful of the series of missions the were built up and down the coast.

Although not a large mission, there is nice historical sense of what life was like in California in the late 1700s. $4 per person entarnce fee for the self-guided tour. Not the most spectacular of the 21 mission on El Camino Real, but worth a visit.

Other than the chapel and the small museum, this Mission doesn't have much to offer. There are no mission "grounds" or living quarters to tour. If you want to see an entire detailed mission, check out the one in Soledad which was reconstructed during the depression years by the California Conservation Corps.

Was rather shocked I had to pay to get into this Mission. I've never paid at any of the others and I've been to them all. I don't remember paying for entry the last time I was here. Also was shocked to find the actual church door was padlocked from the inside.

A must visit If you would like to find out the history of Ventura I really enjoyed my afternoon tour of the Mission San Buenaventura.

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.

Originally planned for founding in 1790 as the third mission in the chain of 21, the actual founding as the ninth mission occurred in 1782, the final mission founded by Father Serra. Known as the 'mission by the sea' because it is only a few blocks from 'Surfers' Point Beach Park', San Buenaventura was a prosperous agricultural establishment, with orchards, cattle, sheep and cereal grains. British explorer George Vancouver visiting in 1793 described the mission and its gardens as the 'finest he had ever seen'. In fact, during and shortly after the mission era, clipper sailing ships would regularly stop at the mission to replenish their supplies, trading goods from the ships for agricultural products. Not much of the original mission buildings survive apart from the church and some minor quadrangle ruins. The current church dates from 1809, and suffered 'modernisation' beginning after a severe quake in the 1850s and accelerating greatly during and after the 1890s. A comprehensive effort at restoration began in the 1950s. Paint was very carefully removed from the original underlying artwork. Ceiling beams and original floorboards were exposed. Windows and roofing materials were 'back-engineered' to their original configuration. The altar and surroundings are original from the early 19th century. There are five bells at the mission church, four in the lower level of the belfry three of which date from the mission era. The fourth is undated. In the upper portion of the belfry, there is a bell from the 1920s restoration era which has an automatic ringing feature at noonday for the Angelus. There is a small museum and Gift Shop on mission property, open from 10 am to 5 pm, admission $4 per adult. Guided tours available, check website for details. Masses: Saturday 5:30. Sunday 7:30, 9, and 12:15. Named for St. Bonaventure, original name John Fidanza, a 13th century Franciscan, scholar (received his degree at the same year as St. Thomas Aquinas) and philosopher of the Church. He was allegedly cured of an illness in his youth by St. Francis, and exclaimed 'O Buona Ventura' (Oh, good fortune) upon his recovery, thus his name. Highway 101 to exit 70-A, north to E. Main Street, follow the signs. Enjoy!

I love the old mission garden and the little museum and shop! The church is beautiful! Always gives me a sense of peace to visit. And it is close to many wonderful thrift and antique stores full of treasures just waiting to go home with you! The Albinger Archaeological Museum is a must see next door!

This is the 9th an final Mission of The 21 Missions on The El Camino Real/US HWY 101, That Fray Junipero Serra founded. There is NO cost to you for this visit and it's well worth your time.

Definitely stay for less than one hour because this mission is not big. I would not go again because it’s a one time see but I would advise other people to definitely go. It is amazing! Especially good for kids. Right next to the mission is a couple Indian things that were buried. Go see it.

truly a lovey step back in time....very peaceful and they still have services there I think. A long time community favorite for all

This is a small church/mission with not a lot to look at, but still interesting. Not as beautiful as the San Fernando or Santa Barbara missions, but a nice location.

We had a couple hours to burn and decided to come here. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we enjoyed learning a few things about the town. Enjoy the spanish style architecture and greenery.

I'm not one for churches but the mission was beautiful both inside and out. The gardens were spectacular with a museum not too large but very informative
Would recommend to anyone visiting the area

Any traveler to CA should visit at least one of the historic missions, to get a feel for true Southern California cultural roots. Going to Ventura offers an unbeatable combination for a visit. The mission sits at the end of Main Street, with several blocks of charming shops and restaurants to walk through and enjoy. From there, a few minutes drive takes to to Ventura harbor, where you can easily spend an afternoon on the sand or in the water, or renting a paddleboat or bicycles to make it a family outing.

On our weekend trip to Ventura we stopped off to visit this Mission. Established in 1782, it's apparently the last of the 9 mission founded by Father Sierra. It's not the biggest in California, but a must see if your into the history of the state. Beautiful to see.

I've been to all of the Missions, and I brought my niece and nephew, as well as my boyfriend to visit this one...the standard mission visit but with a very informative staff and beautiful gardens make it a must see. The mission is up on a hill and has a beautiful view of the ocean too

This is a typical California Mission, small museum, chapel area and semi small courtyard, nice for a short visit, but not a lot too see compared to some of the other California Missions

in the middle of town, a breezy lush garden and gorgeous cathedral whose interior beauty is well worth the visit.

One of the famous missions of Father Serra. Still kept in excellent condition and has services daily.

There are 21 Franciscan missions in California. If you are driving north or south on California Highway 101, a stop in Ventura to visit this small mission is worth the 20 to 30 minutes it takes. As native Californians, my husband and I were inspired to take a journey on The El Camino Real. With a bit of study and knowledge learned in elementary school, we began the journey and visited all 21 missions. The missions are designated with road signs - a bell on a curved staff. Every mission is unique. All of them are worth a visit. If you are driving north, the missions at Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo are not far off the highway. Our first visit was in 2006.

Reasonable rates and intersting artifacts but not really my thing. The history of the native Americans was the bet part.

The church is beautiful and full of history. Also just 25 mins from the Santa Barbara Mission as well. Perfect weekend trip.

This is worth the price of admission to see. Several old pieces inside the museum , small garden. Church is beautiful with well cared for ambiance. This would be a 1-2 hour trip

The mission gives a nice historical addition to any trip, follow it up by visiting the Serra Cross up the hill.

If you like Spanish architecture this is the place for you. The garden is beautiful here and a great place to gather your thoughts.

Enjoyed the tour of the mission. We had a goal on this road trip to try to catch most missions that we had not already seen. This was one of them, each is different & unique. Some have been wonderfully restored & taken care of.

Had to visit the last mission built in California, the church was as expected dark and with the usual icons of faith. The stations of the cross were nice paintings that were refurbished, nice grounds beautiful flowers and plants with a fountain. Nice place to reflect.

My husband and I have been living in California for almost three years now and had not visited any of the missions yet. While in Ventura for the Mountains to Beach Marathon, we did a little sightseeing. One place I wanted to visit was this Mission.

To access the tour, you must check in at the counter in the gift shop. The gift shop was small, but had some nice little treasures.

The tour is self-guided and doesn't take a lot of time. But the courtyard garden and church are both beautiful. My husband was able to take some very beautiful pictures.

Pretty little mission in Ventura. Nice gardens to sit and relax and read about the history of the missions of California

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!!!

The mission gardens are very well kept. The museum was small but had a repeating documentary that was very informative. A good place to visit to learn the good works of the Catholic Church in the US.

I'm a native Californian, and I can tell you there is so much more to this state than Disneyland.

That's why I always take my out-of-town guests to visit a mission while they're here. Otherwise, they haven't really seen California and just won't "get" us or understand this state.

Here's another secret: The California missions have some of the most beautiful gardens in the inner courtyards.

Mission San Buenaventura has a very interesting museum. (Don't miss the signed note from Thomas Jefferson asking for an extension on a loan!) Unfortunately, many of the original adobe structures surrounding the church were not preserved. However, you can tell this is a lively parish that is interwoven into the very fabric of present-day Ventura. Talk about "living history."

Great for photos, park setting, history, charm. interwoven in neighborhood...not set aside like a museum with an entry fee efore seeing the main attraction. Very European feel. Easy to drop-by just to see the outside, but don't miss the interiors. That Spanish architectural treasure in historic development of California.

Visited here to continue on our quest to see California Missions. The mission is well maintained and has a nice gift shop. There is a small fee to gain entry to the Mission and its grounds. A very quiet and restful area from the old downtown buzz. There is free parking about 2 blocks away and it may be hard to find. Pay meter parking on main and side streets.

It would seem that most missions that we have seen so far have either been moved to another location - had fires - earthquake rebuilds. Still an interesting part of California history to show how far Spain wanted to move into these new lands.

An hour will more than do to visit this pretty mission. Self-guided tour pamphlet included in the admission price. Quiet, beautiful courtyard garden.

The missions sits right below Serra Cross Park. The Spanish influence is beautifully reflected in tile fountains and gardens. Church is lovingly maintained and garden is a wonderful place to reflect, very serene. After you take the tour, make sure to spend time in the gift shop with many reasonable priced items.

I went to this mission to be alone and to meditate. I found the courtyard to be the space that fit my needs and although there were many people walking around, everyone was respectful and kept voices to a hush. The chapel is not as glorious as some other Catholic Churches but it does have its own 'presence'. If Missions are what you're looking for, this is a must see!

Lovely garden, simple sanctuary a little dressed up for the Good Friday mass. I just happened to visit an hour or so before mass and it was nice to see folks arrive for the service. This is not a museum but an active church community.

Just a short car ride from LA and you can travel back in time to see a wonderful mission. A small museum, a lovely garden, and the church inside is a sight to behold.

This Mission is wonderful. It was randomly given to us by my sons teacher and it turned out to be a learning experience. It was decorated for Christmas and it really gave us a real special feeling when we were there. It's in the main part of downtown Ventura so after the visit you can grab a coffee or food.

Others mentioned the parking, we were fortunate to find a space right in front of the Mission, metered parking. Small fee in the gift shop to browse the museum and mission. Enjoyed viewing the interior of the mission. The courtyard was filled with lovely flowers.

This mission, last of the nine founded by Fra Junipero Serra during his lifetime and personally dedicated by him in 1782, two years before his death, is a centerpiece of the city of Ventura. The grounds are beautiful, the atmosphere of dedication to the Catholic faith is tangible (even for this writer, who is not a member of that faith), and the work of the people who have kept it up as a labor of love for over two centuries is impressive.

The museum includes not just relics from the mission's past, but interesting (and, be warned, lengthy) videos that bring some of that history to life. What was particularly impressive to this writer, who happens to be American Indian, was that the videos were frank in pointing out that the local indigenous people were not always treated well at the hands of the representatives of the Church.

This is a must-see stop when in this city named for this mission. (In fact, many do not know that Ventura is only a nickname for this city, the official name of which is San Buenaventura.)

I cannot believe that Archbishop Gomez gave Fr. Tom (the pastor) permission to charge individuals and groups $300 to go through the jubilee door. Ridiculous! Put the business aside at least throughout the jubilee! Just a sad experience that brings back little things that got Friar Martin Luther upset with the church.

It has been somewhat restored, but not one of my favorite Missions...the Santa Barbara Mission is much better.

In Ventura for a few days and time to spare so we went to see the mission. Admission was $4 each as Seniors! The museum was not very instructive. The Mission Church much restored but very beautiful and worth a visit. It was all clean and tidy, but it would have been nice to have more information about the artifacts and statuary.

I have been to the major (size and fame) missions along the California coast, so didn't travel to Ventura, CA, just to see the mission. However, I thought since I was there for another reason, why not visit the mission.

The mission exterior, grounds, gift shop, and park across the street are all charming and well maintained. The giant Norfolk Pines are stately sentries, and a giant fig tree guards the park across the street.

There is a lot of history in a 2 block radius of the mission, so consider stopping by the Ventura Visitor's Bureau at 101 S California Street, just a few blocks away to pick up a self-guiding walking tour map. The mission, park, plaza, and fig tree are all highlights of the tour.

The mission is accessed through the gift shop.

This cute little mission church is a parish church still. The congregation is largely Latino. The gift shop is lousy.

This mission is small, so great if you have small children. You won't need to spend a lot of time, so they won't get tired or bore before you're finished. The handicapped will have a bit of a time here, but should contact in advance to make arrangements so they know where to go to access. This is an important mission on the California Coast. But if you're expecting glitz and glamour like grand cathedrals, go elsewhere. The beauty of this mission is its humility, its history, and its heart. Haven't seen a religious site that reminds us of the beauty of being humble like this one since The Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA. There is also a small, but respectable garden courtyard on the side of the mission that's a must see and please, out of respect, go to visit the grave in the back for the fathers in the most humble gravesite of any Catholic property. Many miss it because it's in back and is so small but, without them, there would be no mission. So please at least give it a look. And, when you're finished, head over to the AMAZINGLY unique and gorgeous City Hall and take a look at the gorgeous bronze statue of Father Juniperra Serra in front of the building, then go inside to the wooden version of it up close. Then head up to Serra Cross Park with the large cross above the city to finish out the related tourism spots - and for the best views of the entire city and shoreline.

Smaller than most Missions but still always fun to visit and enjoy. Parking isn't always convenient but that's city's fault. try the public lot near the museum across main street or another off-Main free lot. Don't pay the meters on ]Main.

Beautiful mission - worth a stop. If you enjoy the missions, you'll like this one. Good history and pretty gardens.

Location right in town. Had to pay for parking spot. A wedding had just taken place, but we were able to tour the historic building. Purchased some items at their nice gift shop.

One of the original California Missions. Cool museum and gift shop, too. Peaceful. Pretty. Very wonderful congregation. Went here for Mass, got married here and my first child was Baptized here. (Then we moved and only attend Mass here once or twice a year)

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.

A beautiful historic Mission with beautiful and peaceful grounds. If you love history, you will love this stop

We are impressed with this church and it’s art collection. The garden is well taken care of. The mural, Wells Fargo safe and the replica of the La Pieta is beautiful. Facilities are well maintained.

What a great family outing the garden's are beautiful, the Mission is just as beautiful. very relaxing

I like the Mission because it one of all California Missions I plan to visit. There is so much history involved and with every visit, I learn something new about California's history and development.

This is a modest Mission but has a lovely replica of Michelangelo's Pieta in a well maintained sanctuary. The architecture and gardens are lovely and this is worth a visit for lovers of history and architecture. It will take you under and hour and is great to include in a stroll through Ventura's lovely downtown.

We are familiar with most all the California Missions. So, even though the total scale of the museum and land area is small compared to other Missions, this was a pleasant stop. The museum while compact, is really a great introduction to Mission history. The gift shop offers the standard items, but is very well stocked. For Catholics especially, the collection of vestments and altar fittings used even by Father Serra is very special.
While an active parish, the Church interior is well preserved in its traditional form. The gardens are small but beautiful. It would be a great picnic place with kids and can be covered in a time span that would not be overwhelmingly boring for them! In the garden, there are a couple of places where the view of the Mission bell tower and palm trees is like an impressionist painting.

Ventura is not Santa Barbara, nor does it try to be. The same can be said about the mission. Although much smaller, the garden is maintained and the church itself is just wonderful with some fine artwork there and possessions in the small but interesting museum. Worth visiting rather than just driving past.

Quiet, peaceful, great architecture for the period, nice gardens, a good place to see, pick a cloudy day because it does get hot with very little breeze

I looked all over for a place to buy my daughter a rosary. The lovely little gift shop at the Mission had an awesome selection.

I love to tour the mission and browse the bookstore. It is in the downtown area and near some very good places to eat. It is easy on and off the freeway. You can park your car and walk around the downtown store and shops.

Our youngest just studied about all the California Missions, so it was nice to be able to stop here for Mass. The chapel is ornate and interesting to look at. The garden area is serene and typical for a mission.

The weather was perfect for a walk around the Mission area. Great for pictures and window shopping. Loved how peaceful it is.

Beautiful grounds and church. The flowers are gorgeous and well cared for. The church is in great shape. Can take a few minutes to reflect, think, or just rest. $4 admission for adult, lower priced then other missions. It is toward the end of a shopping street. Great short stop !

The San Buenaventura mission is a beautifully preserved slice of history, and a place of calm and nature. If you are coming near, it would be a mistake to miss it... leave a note, wish or journal entry in the guest book! Stroll the beautiful building and grounds and walk where the religious once did, and still do! Whether you come for history or peace, you can find both here,,, and still be close to town to go for dinner afterwards, Or a drive by the beach. Picture pretty area and calm feel,

We were thrilled to return to the Mission after more than a decade absence. I urged my party to visit the gift shop, where I was interested in a vintage St. Christopher medal. I needed to use the restroom and asked the front desk staff. She begrudgingly told me where it was. When my daughter asked the same question she barked, "You must buy a ticket to the museum before you use it!" I ceased my shopping immediately. We left. God Bless someone else!

The Mission is still in daily use and is a very nice example of a California mission. It's right downtown near the Museum of Ventura County so it is easy to see them both in the same morning or afternoon.

My wife and I vacationed in Santa Barbara back in mid January, 2016. We were impressed with the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, but took the time to travel also to the Old Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, CA. Although we arrived somewhat late in the afternoon we found the Mission grounds and Church open. The gift shop staff were very friendly and told us we wouldn't be disappointed with our visit. Although the Mission is much smaller than the one in Santa Barbara we found it very beautiful. The garden had a lovely statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Church had one of the most striking crosses of Jesus that I have ever seen in my life. So, even though the Mission in Ventura was small we found it beautiful and worth visiting. Highly recommend you go there.

Founded in 1782, San Buenaventura Mission was the ninth and last mission consecrated by Junipero Serra. Today all that remains of the original Mission is the church and its garden. Admission is just a very reasonable $4 per person. San Buenaventura Mission is really beautiful and the gardens are spectacular. I really enjoyed visiting this mission - actually all of them - a very worthwhile site.

It is a beautiful late 1700s Spanish mission that has a pretty garden and an excellent gift shop. The tour is self guided and you have plenty of time to see the works.

Lovely old church and peaceful little garden with a nice little museum. A nice respite from crowded Main Street. The church is really lovely with old beams and candles. This was the last of the California missions personally founded by Serra - well worth the stop.

Downtown Ventura is a wonderful place, and just at the northern end is the mission. It's not complete, as so few of the active parish-missions are, but one can capture a sense for what a mission was all about. The mission is clean and beautiful. I've been several times and I'd happily go again. The walking tour stops don't take long, so make sure you give yourself time to enjoy the shops and restaurants right there on Main Street

Close to our hotel - it was a well maintained area providing a nice short stroll and access to get to the main street & shops.

My husband and I enjoyed this beautiful little Mission. It has a nice chapel, museum and lovely grounds. We walked around the old town and had lunch.

Parking can be hard to find on the street. There is some parking available behind the mission. Just be sure to pay for entry onto the grounds at the gift shop. Lovely grounds, beautiful architecture and interesting museum.

Been to five missions in CA and this is my favorite. Lovely...and right on then main street of downtown Ventura. Cute little town with shops and restaurants.

Park located right across the street.

Put this on your bucket list!

A great piece of history and enjoyable to see and check out. The mission chapel is very ornate and interesting. You don't have to be religious to enjoy this gem.

This mission is wonderful, there is a giant Redwood tree right in front and so much to do in the Mission, which is an active church too. it is surrounded by lots of stores and restaurants making it a great place to spend the day or even an afternoon/morning. Its also close to the new Ventura Botanical gardens, you can access a switchback trail that is handicap friendly, just behind the old Ventura city hall. don't miss this place if you are in town or even passing by. Free parking on the side streets too.

This smaller mission on Ventura's Main Street has a lovely garden and is actively used by Catholic churchgoers even when it is not mass time.

It’s one of the most beautiful Catholic Church I had been, historical church w such calm garden ambience. Fortunate to go to mass weekly.

As a person who has seen most of the CA missions, this mission is well preserved as it is still used as a church today. The grounds are well kept, but the typical “normal” buildings that would have surrounded this mission (if they ever existed) no longer exist at this site , and have been replaced by a modern school. A nice visit. Cute gift shop. Well maintained. Worth the visit if you want to see all the missions, but this mission is not one of the biggies. Nevertheless, glad we stopped.

It's nice to step back into the history that built CA - forth stopping by and checking it out. It's in the main area, so you don't have to go out of your way.

Have to say I have visited a few Missions and this has to be the smallest of them all, doesn't take long to walk around see the gardens and artifacts. $4 entrance fee is a tad steep considering what is here however I understand the need to upkeep the buildings. My rating for this attraction is purely down to how rude the lady was in the giftshop who took our entrance fee. After paying and wandering around for no more than 20 minutes she realized we were back in the artifact room and came rushing in demanding proof that we had paid our entrance fee - word of advice DO NOT dispose of the leaflet you receive upon paying as this is your proof.

There was a small fee but we loved being there. A wonderful preserved piece of history. The ground were very peaceful and the museum interesting. I had never seen an old wooden bell before.

The last mission established byadre Serra it is small in comparison to Santa Barbara but it’s beauty isn’t. Still a functioning parish enter the tour through the gift shop or pay a prayerful visit through the front door. The accoutrements are worth exploring and the church is the hub of the historical hub of Ventura. There’s more to downtown than thrift stores.

This Mission is smaller and a bit less impressive than the Santa Barbara Mission, but is still interesting to visit. The exterior is in good shape. Inside the church it is quite dark and tricky to see the art work.

old world charm/ pretty flowers/take a nice stroll/ close to town/resturants/shops/pubs... .. always free parking around

Founded 1782, 9 of 21 historic California missions and named for St. Bonaventure, Tuscany, 1221. He once exclaimed "O buona ventura," (oh, good fortune!). The bell tower is unusual because of the asymmetry, the two upper sections are not centered on the base. There are five bells topped by a small done and a cross. The grounds and museum are relatively small compared to the other old missions in California. But it is right in the middle of downtown with a large green grass park across the street. Worth a look.

Many have described all of the pertinent details. I would add that attending Mass here would introduce you to a warm and welcoming community. Father Tom is for real and gets the message across so easily. To see this beautiful property, such a part of California history, is a great experience.

I've been to Crowne Plaza half a dozen times but never made it to the Mission. I was not disappointed! Beautiful and still functions as a parish. A must see when in Ventura!

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.

This is a lovely small mission. Pretty garden. The church is not ornate but it is historically significant -- just take a look at the hand-hewed beams and woodwork. There is a small box on the wall as you move from the gift shop to the museum for a donation to enter - but there actually is a charge of $4. The museum area is extremely small so if there are 10 or more people it is cramped. Worth a visit if you are in the area because of its significance in history, but I would not make a special stop.

An educational and spiritual experience. Give yourself sufficient time to tour the mini museum and read the history of Buenaventura. The chapel is an experience you don’t want to miss. Say a prayer and admire the craftsmanship, and spend a little time in the garden. And there are so many memories available to purchase in the gift shop.

$4 entrance through a tacky little gift shop. The mission and the gardens itself is very small. Just an Eh, can't imagine that you would spend more than 20/25 minutes here.

Grounds and the mission are both very pretty - just very small too.

This is a special mission, in that the gardens and courtyard here are one of a kind. The mission itself is in excellent condition and has been beautifully restored. This was our first of 10 missions that we visited on the El Camino Real (the road of the missions). The courtyard of the mission had an interesting olive press, an amazing tiled fountain and gorgeous roses and other native California flowers in the gardens. The chapel is not always open so plan your times during business hours. This would be a stunning place for a wedding or vow renewal. We did not pay for parking as we walked from the Belltower Hotel through the pedestrian mall for best viewing.

This mission is beautiful, tranquil and very informative.Stroll thru the gardens.. See the church, visit the mission and learn about San BuenaVentura (Ventura) they shortened the name years later,. Nice spot to take school age kids to teach them about the city from the Padres/fathers.

The grounds of this mission have beautiful gardens with tiled fountains and statues and niches tucked in amongst the flowers. The chapel has a wonderful altar piece and side pieces. There is a nice little museum. After seeing the mission, be sure to go across the street. Not only is there is a good view of the outside of the mission for pictures, but there are two interesting fountains. The walk is on a slight slope. The first tiled fountain empties into a tiled trough than runs down and empties into the second tiled fountain. Something we found by accident.

This is a must stop. Spend the extra cash to tour the mission grounds. My wife and I had a great time.

I have been visiting and photographing all 21 California missions. I finally made it to Ventura today. I arrived early and the grounds and the church were open, so I went in and took some photos. The gift shop and museum open at 10:00AM. At 9:55AM I went to the door of the gift shop and saw a woman and a man just inside the door. I tried the door and it was locked, so I went across the street and took some more pictures. About 10:05, I went back and the door was still locked. The woman then came and let me in. I asked for permission to use the bathroom and the woman said I would have to pay for the museum tour if I wanted to use the bathroom. Nice lady! I paid the $3 and she gave me a code for the restroom. The museum was a one room, very small exhibit. The church, however was very nice. The outside is very hard to photograph because of all the work being done. I didn’t care much for the gift shop woman’s attitude and the museum was pretty much a one minute waste of time. The outside area was being renovated. Not a very good experience. Normally, the missions are a great visit and an enjoyable experience. I would put this one at the bottom.

Started by a Spanish Priest, this outpost was little more than a third of the way up the coast from old Mexico. Quaint.

I didn't go in this beautiful mission, but was able to observe it as I enjoyed walking around interesting downtown Ventura and visiting the Saturday Farmers Market. You can see so much right around there!

This is a wonderful Mission to stroll around and gather the ambiance of the early California times. The best attraction in town.

The mission is a true reflection of past California History. It's one of the smaller missions but lovely inside and the last mission that Father Junipero Serra established. I grew up in Ventura and the mission was the cornerstone of the town -- now it's the cornerstone of our lovely "Old Town" of Ventura. Across the street in Perrano's which my mother shopped at in the 1940s and the start of a 3 or 4 block walk down the old town. The façade looks just as it did in the 1950's but the many boutiques and restaurants (including of course a 50's style restaurant complete with juke box and malteds) within the facades are a lovely upgrade to the old town.
Don't miss walking the 4 blocks from the mission down Main St. to California Street. There, if you look up toward the hills a block, you will see our original County Courthouse (now our City Hall) and the statue of Fr. Serra. If you get a chance, wander through the marbled halls of the City Hall. And it's only a few blocks from there down to beach and our pier. California Street (local surfers call it "C" street) is famous for great surfing.
Around the mission are the Archeological Museum where one can see many Indian artifacts of the area and across the street and down 1/2 block is the small (but fun) Ventura County Museum -- now "special" exhibiting the many Ventura sites used in famous Hollywood movies as well as a famous local photographer's photos of movie stars.

A very nice old Spanish mission. It has been well maintained but it does show it age. There is a beautiful court yard which is a pleasure to visit.

The visitors' center is informational. There is a video on the life of Father Serra, and artifacts in glass cases. The courtyard is well landscaped with many photo opps. The inside of the mission is quite lovely and very old. The mission and garden are quiet, peaceful stops in a traveler's day. A place to rest and catch your breath before moving on.

On my quest to visit all the missions this one was on my list for this years adventure. While all that remains of this mission is the church and small garden has a beautiful courtyard.

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.

I have been to all 21 missions in California, and this one is one of the best views of all the missions. Easy to get to. Lots to see, very educational.

Cool old mission church. Pay and enter at the gift shop. Some interesting old stuff. The church itself is the main attraction. It only takes 45 minutes to an hour unless you want to sit for a while.

Beautiful courtyard gardens, traditional Catholic church and lots of information about mission during 1700s.

Very nice Mission visit and have just visited 15/21 of them. It was actually a Sunday when we visited and caught the tail end of a service and got in before the next one, so do check your times.
Nice central garden and old wooden bells in display case.
Nice church space, not as ornate as Santa Barbara but lovely just the same.
An hour is plenty for the Mission but you can fill your time with the other things Ventura offers.

The Mission is right on Main Street, and the City of Ventura failed to place it in the right context by keeping the traffic away and making it more of a focus point for the city. Compare this to Santa Barbara, where the Mission is situated at the top of a large plaza, with fountains, and great views of the city. As we learned, the church building is the only building that remained from the Spanish era, and the side buildings that formed the Mission have long gone.
The gardens are nice, but nothing spectacular.

I'm an atheist but I love old churches. The serenity, the history. This one is different than most Mission churches in that is still active. It is rather small yet it reminds me of the early Christian churches from the 5th and 6th century in Italy, both in terms of layout and how it feels.

The courtyard is small, and so is the museum. One maybe funny story.

The church where using wooden bells. A pice of carved wood in the shape of a bell with metal plates mounted on the inside. The proposed explanation to this is that the bells would not be loud enough to attract pirates. I think there is another, more likely explanation; forging bells is really difficult and if the mission did not have that expertise (unlikely) using wood and metal plates would be a practical proxy for a proper bell.

Would recommend stopping by here especially if you have not been to an old California mission before. There is good information about the history of the mission and a small map of the grounds can be acquired at the gift shop. There is a small fee to walk through the mission but it is beautiful.

Located right downtown (with an unusually high number of thrift shops for some reason), with free parking near the Museum of Ventura Country. Small admission fee gets you into the museum and grounds. Don't miss the original wooden bells (you'll learn how they "ring" and why they didn't use metal). The small-scale Pieta is at the back of the church and you can enter from the rear door off the gardens.

The mission is small but appealing. A nice, quick stop. Not a whole lot to see but worthwhile for stretching the legs and learning a little history. $4 donation per adult.

We were here to get information for our daughter's school mission project. It is a self guided tour, they provide you with a pamphlet and you walk through it yourself. The fee is $4/adults and $1/students, it is worth the small fee. We were there for about an hour and a half, not a lot of time is needed. We were here the day after Thanksgiving and missed the only guided tour, I wished there were more guided tours, I am sure the trip would have been a lot more infomative.

A quit place inside Ventura city.
This was the last Mission founded by Juniper Serra; was founded on March 1782.

Beautiful and well preserved. A wonderful Latin Mass on Sundays. Peaceful.Last mission founded by Father Junipero Serra. Nice museum and next door is a great display of artifacts.

Unlike many of the old Spanish missions established along the Camino Real back in the 1700s, the Mission San Buenaventura has remained as an active part of the Ventura social fabric. It has continued to provide Mass to generations upon generations of Catholics (and curious Protestants), and its Catholic Holy Cross School (1-9 grades) is a mainstay of the educational scene in the town. I first investigated the interior of the Church and its mission yards in 1959 with my Catholic friends who went to Holy Cross, and later took visitors there after I got older. The church certainly pales in architecture to to edifices in Europe, such as Notre Dame or the Cathedrals in Cologne, but it is precisely its old frontier simplicity (well maintained over two and a half centuries) that creates its intrigue and charm. Next to the mission is an archeological site that was not yet discovered when I first visited Ventura, but the finds there have yield enough artifacts to have its own museum erected next door. Every time I visit my old home town (official residence 1958-2005), I always drive down past the Old Mission and the quaint shops on Main Street to say "hello, I'm back." If you are driving north or south on Highway 101, you can take the exits at either end of town, drive through town, and keep on going on the other end. However, it never hurts to stop at the mission and eat at one of the very good-to-excellent restaurants virtually on the other side of the street, or down the block.

I love seeing the old Spanish missions. This one is very nice, with a wonderful garden. This was a lovely place, and doesn't take a lot of time to see.

We stopped early in the morning. Parking is free until 10:00 am. The garden and church were open for a service at 10 and although the "tours" had not started, we were able to go into the garden and the church. Wow. It is beautiful. Well kept up and with nice art. The garden is also great, and there are self-guided signs with good information on the mission and the Chumash Indians. The area around the mission is also nice. Don't miss the fireman museum directly down the block and the information on Ventura's chinatown.

We drove south and saw several California Missions. This is a little smaller than some of the others and is very well maintained. The inside is fancier than some of the others and is still an active church. The historical displays help explain the importance of the Missions to the history and development of California. This is a peaceful place to visit and also enjoy the gardens

The Mission is beautiful, peaceful & gives your soul the opportunity to energize while you relax & reflect.

A very quiet experience with a four dollar admission. Courtyard well kept. Sanctuary and gift shop open.

One can encounter Ventura history, a beautiful garden, a museum of religious artifacts, reproduced Chumash artistry, and a peaceful, prayerful sanctuary here. This mission arouses more than one sensory perception for those who react to their world on many levels.

A don't miss for history and interesting photography opportunities! One of the finest old Spanish Missions to visit.

This is a beautiful mission. It was founded in 1782 and is the last mission founded by Fr. Junipero Serra. It is on main street in Ventura, near the edge of town. There is a small gift shop you enter in to tour the mission. Lots of nice things to purchase including candles, crosses, etc. As you enter the mission through the shop, there are displays of vestments, including chumash Indian artifacts and other mission age things. All that is left of the original mission is the church and it's gardens which are still beautiful to this day. The inside of the church is beautiful. My daughter was christened here over 15 years ago and it was exciting to take pictures of her in the same place by the altar.

What a pretty mission! The church is beautiful as well as the grounds. There were 1000 people who lived in and around the mission in its hey day. The gift shop has a wide selection of religious items and the little museum is worth walking through.

I have visited this beautiful mission many times. I recently went with an Australian friend visiting. I was disappointed to find out there is a charge.

The Mission is one of the best preserved of the missions and is still an active church today. The gardens are beautiful and the historic museum pieces gives a good portrayal of life in mission days.

We visited this lovely, quaint Mission right before the dedication of the Vatican’s licensed copy of this gifted Pieta being unveiled. We were so excited for this church to have this wonderful opportunity to share the beauty of this sacred art. The Madonna holding Jesus on her lap is an exact replica of the one at the Vatican. We enjoyed their museum, their peaceful garden, the church and the gift store. Very similar to ones in many of California’s missions. I did find that they had a better selection of large statues at affordable prices. So I came home with one of St. Francis.

We are from Boston and, of course, we are surrounded by traditional and popular historic sites. However, learning the the story of why all the missions were along the California Mission Trail was fascinating.

One of the original missions founded by Father Junipero Serra, this mission was well maintained. The displays were interesting and nicely done, the gardens beautiful and the sanctuary cavernous and breathtaking, giving you a sense of reverence as you walk in the doors. It is still an active church, and there are daily AM masses in both English and Spanish. Definitely worth visiting!

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

One of the missions that is close to the sea! Not as expansive in terms of ground, such as the one in Capistrano. Well maintained and the grounds are clean. Worth a visit, then you can take a stroll in the nearby beach.

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

I love the history of the missions and have visited several throughout the State. This one is close to home and a place that I often visit when I am in the vicinity. It is a wonderful place to relax, to take in a bit of history, and to appreciate life.

Mission has historic artifacts in a small museum. Grounds are beautiful. Church is peaceful and fascinating. Missions in California are well worth the stop.

The Mission was founded on March 31, 1782 and was the ninth Spanish mission and the last to be established by Father Junípero Serra. The mission was named after Saint Bonaventure, a 13th century Franciscan saint and Doctor of the Church. The Mission is small compared to some of the other 21 Missions but is certainly worth a visit. The museum has some interesting artifacts especially the wooden bells which are the only one of its kind as most bells are metal. Highly recommend a visit!

We were in Ventura for a conference and had an opportunity to attend Mass at Mission San Buenaventura. The mission is lovely and still reflects the church as it was built by St. Junipero Serra. There is also a side chapel with many relics and a replica of the Pieta.

What a great welcome to arrive and have the school Mass still in progress. Our group is on a pilgrimage to seven CA Missions. Very cooperative team at the gift shop. Beautiful church with amazing history.

In comparison to the San Juan Capistrano and Santa Barbara Missions, Mission San Buenaaventura is quite low on the totem pole. Thought it does have its charm, it does not have the "wow" factor of the aforementioned missions.

When I got there, a mass was in session. Perhaps, this took away a bit from the experience. There was a lot of church people around, and I didn't feel like I had the room to really move around and explore they way I wanted to.

The highlight of the mission is their fountain. It's three tiered and quite beautiful.

It's free to enter, which takes most of the sting out of realizing that the experience isn't going to be an earth shattering one. Hopefully, it stays that way. I would have been annoyed and irritated, having to pay to enter this place. It just not worth the money.

Take the self-guided tour of the Ventura Mission for a real treat. It's short and informative. It was built in the late 1700s and the interior is wonderful. Also the gardens are beautiful. It's a little gem!

For religious and not so religious, this mission has a unique collection of ancient relics that will impress. It features a relic of the cross of Christ, and from St Joseph, and at least 10 other saints. A true find is this mission! The gift shop is also a great resource for all things Catholic. Weekends are free for the tour since the church is a functioning community church with a school,and all. Not on the grand scale as is Santa Barbara mission or San Juan Capistrano, but a remarkable landmark nonetheless.

Visited her whilst in ventura. It a $4 entry fee and you get to look around this beautiful place. Don't miss it if you're in the area.

Mission is one of 21 dotted along California. Had never been there. Was pleased. This one requires a few dollars in as entrance fee. The place was rebuilt many years ago, but is still pretty amazing. Original Jesuit Priests are buried under the church. If you enjoy the other 20 Missions, you'll enjoy this one too!

Grounds well kept. Peaceful. Great history of California. Very small museum is worth taking the time to read the placards on the icons and items. Chapel is beautiful. Fountain is lovely. Really enjoyed my time visiting here.

It was nice that the mission was close to the hotel. My wife and I attended an early mass. Even though it was raining, the church was fairly filled up. The church was very well maintained. For is it was an enrichiching experience.

Beautiful rose gardens with rose scent wafting in the air surrounded by Spanish tile work , -the mission has been restored to a beautiful level and the park adjacent is wonderful too - a great addition to old town Ventura

This was the very last Spanish Mission we visited. We saw all 21 in about 4 years. They are all different. The inside of the church is going through a "face-lift (painting). Nice little garden. Nice gift shop.

We enjoyed walking through this mission. Beautiful courtyard and small but interesting museum. Enjoy downtown after your visit.

If you have an half hour or so to spare in Ventura, stop by the Mission. You enter in through a religious articles shop and get a ticket to enter the mission. You first enter a small room with selected artifacts from the mission from the 1700's and 1800;s. There is not much written about what you are looking at but you get a sense of the time and place they are from.

You then enter into the courtyard of the mission where you can sit and enjoy the day, and the garden which have a Moorish design. The mission itself is open for you to stroll through and see the interior which has withstood earthquakes and the test of time.

It is a self guided tour that allows you to look and see at your pace.

A token to history of SanBuenaVentura.interesting architecture. Conveniently located in downtown. Very peaceful.

If you've been to the famous Capistrano mission on the other side of LA, you probably are expecting the wrong thing from this quaint, unassuming (and active) mission in Ventura. There is a lot of history here surrounding the Mission's founder, Junipero Serra who was recently canonized I believe. Mission tourists I do not think they will be disappointed, but it really isn't an appropriate tourist site for a family with young children. Access to the mission museum and grounds is through a door at the top of a stairs, so if you need to get a stroller up there you have to carry it.

This was my second time visiting the mission the first time it was with my mom. It was great to visit this place again.

A well presented mission not to be missed, especially if you have a California 4th/5th grader doing the mandatory missions project.

Great place to walk around and look at the Old Mission. Family friendly and lots of history. The church detail is beautiful

One of the top sites to visit when in Ventura. I was surprised at how close the mission building was to the downtown strip--others in San Diego or Santa Barbara are away from the downtown area. You can tell that all the missions were part of a vision, a plan and that their architectural style did not vary much. Every mission, of course, has it's own history and is worth seeing in person if you have a chance. This particular mission, San Buenaventura, was dear and near to the heart of its founder, Junipero Serra, as well as to all those directly involved in its building including the natives that made up the labor. It was very interesting to watch the video that plays in a loop at the entrance, which explains briefly the history of this member of the Franciscan order and his work in the Americas. It's a good idea to give yourselves between 1 - 2 hrs to enjoy the museum, gardens and sanctuary.

We have been to many of the Missions but first time here and was impressed by the beautiful garden in the courtyard. The mission itself is well maintained and as usual I was awed by the structure.

Ventura's mission is a beautiful mission, but I wouldn't travel out of my way to see it. If you find yourself in Ventura, then it is worth an hour or so to visit. The grounds are beautiful as is the church. The little gift shop is nice to visit. The location on Main Street with lots of interesting little shops and a few blocks from the beach is also a plus.

Mission San Buenaventura is located right in the city of Ventura on Main Street. The grounds are very well kept and the gardens are beautiful. In comparison to a few other missions that I've been to, the grounds are not that expansive. In fact, The cemetary area was quite small. The church itself still functions as a parish church. This too is very well taken care of. Many mission churches all look pretty similar on the inside. There was nothing at Mission San Buenaventura that really sets it apart from the rest of the smaller missions. It cost $3 to get in. I thought the price of admission was very reasonable. Entrnace was through the gift shop and into the museum. Once in, you are on your own, your tour is self guided. All in all, it was a pleasant visit.

A great place to visit for the history of the local area.The gardens are beautiful and the Church and Museum are full of history.

We were totally unaware of this mission prior to coming to this area. We visited mid day, mid week and found metered parking convenient. Entering/exiting the mission grounds through a gift shop gave us a chance to pick up some gifts. The small museum attached to the gift shop had a few artifacts from the early mission days plus a video on the mission. Exiting the museum, we arrived in the mission courtyard which led to the mission church. The church is still used today for Mass. It was a very calm spiritual environment. We lingered, enjoyed the ambiance. We were very happy to have found this jewel.

From a historical point of view it's worth the few dollars to step into the mission even if religion is not your thing. It's an interesting slice of how the catholic religion, Spanish decided they knew best and forced themselves upon the local Chumash Natives, taking over their land on the way to building 21 of these places along the coast.
I'm not religious but always try to visit churches/cathedrals etc from an architectural point and also to put a better slant on understanding history.
If you are catholic you will love it, if not you will appreciate the building.

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

This mission is smack dab in downtown old Ventura, lots of restaurants and small shops. It is great to see that it is still used as a very active and alive parish church! Lovely building, nice gardens, very pleasant!

Compared to other missions I've visited, this is probably the smallest. That's wonderful if you're looking for a quick thing to do. You can easily cover the entire mission in under half an hour. There's a small artifacts room, a gorgeous courtyard and gardens, and the church, along with a few small outbuildings and a gift shop. Very informative and peaceful.

Thought we would " just drop by" and ended up staying for almost two hours! Thoroughly enjoyed the informative videos about Father Junipero Serra. The glass cases are filled with precious artifacts, including three beautiful silk robes. The active sanctuary is lovely to behold. The gardens are peaceful and full of color. Wonderful place to sit and mediate. What rich California history to enjoy.

At the end of Main street, this mission is a perfect place for a little solitude after checking out the shop down the street. A little piece of local history!

Great quick stop along the PCH corridor. Nice insight into the history of California. Certainly great to visit for a short stop and r&r.

what a wonderful place old beautiful and a place of peace right in the heart of downtown Ventura. a must see

Regardless of your thoughts about the Franciscan Friars and their impact on the indigenous communities of California, the Missions contributed to the settling of California by the Europeans. There are several missions that are in various states of disrepair. But this mission is very well maintained and worth the time to see if you are in Ventura.

So it's not the Santa Barbara mission up the road, but it is still very nice with a beautiful garden and church. The museum is a little lacking, but still plenty of interesting items. We had a little problem with the 10:00 opening, but it seems like everything opens late in Ventura. My wife is Catholic and loved it, and I am of no religion and I liked it a lot. We were both very glad we went.

Although there are nice grounds to walk through and some decent history to take in, the overall experience and quality of the San Buenaventura Mission is simply just average, at best.

I love this mission! There's a small museum with a tiny exhibition of historic artifacts. It also has a very beautiful garden where you can sit and enjoy the cool breeze and the lovely plants. The church is also impressive.

Decided this would be a good year to visit all of the Spanish missions in California; I've lived here all my life but have only been to 5 or 6 of the 21 missions. Picked San Buenaventura since it was a decent drive for a day trip on a Monday holiday. This mission is still a very active Catholic parish surrounded by Ventura's old downtown. The gardens were very pretty, even in January, and nicely maintained. The main church is of the same style of several others I've visited but full of rich colors and many statues and candles. We spent a little over an hour looking at everything then enjoyed the rest of the day along the old Ventura pier and downtown. It was a beautiful winter day. Glad we went!

In the center of Ventura, it is a working mission with services, a small museum and pretty grounds. Historic and worth a stop. Entry fee was $3. for Seniors. I got to watch a quincenara in the sanctuary which was interesting.

Nice garden & enjoyed the Pieta replica. The chapel is very ornate & the displays of historical items are very interesting. The gift shop is well stocked with religious items.

As a native of Ventura, I am partial. Fr. Serra considered this his favorite Mission; it was the last that he personally founded. [He had wanted to found it earlier - and make it the headquarters for all the Missions - but the military overruled it. Nice gardens - it is not as busy as some of the other Missions. This is an active Catholic parish/church. Check out the nearby museum and information sites - easy walking distances.

We try to stop at most Missions that we come across as we travel south and north. This was a very nice little Mission to see. Very quiet and serene.

California is filled with history from one end of the state to the other. One mission you can take is to visit the deep history of the California Missions. How these were developed and what they stood for is something everyone needs to take to heart. If you close your eyes you can hear the history filtering through chapel.

Total waste of your time and money. This is a very small mission and there is not really anything more to see than what you could see by glancing in from the sidewalk outside the fense. Not worth the $4.00 per person entry fee. Head to the pier or do something else instead.

This is a nice church to visit. It was located at the original mission. However, it is really a church and very little of the original mission was restored. But it is worth going to in order to better understand Ventura's history or roots. You enter through the gift show and the fee for seniors was only a few dollars. We could have sneaked in from the side street, but didn't as our donation helps to keep up the property.

Self guided tour of the mission and interiorr courtyard. Interesting history and statuary. The attached school is active and in session, so is quieter on the weekends .

The mission is a step into history. You can't help but feel the authenticity. Go there at the end of your day when you have wound down and are a little more contemplative. You'll enjoy it.

I’ve been visiting all the missions this year w/ my 1 year old daughter. So far, they’ve all had something unique in their courtyard. This one has an olive press. If you love architecture and history, this is a great place to visit.

It’s family and solo trip friendly! There are not as many rooms to see as there are at some of the other ones, but it still a beautiful and unique mission experience. We spent a relaxing hour here looking at all the gorgeous flowers, arches, doorways, and learning all about the history of this particular mission. I let my daughter walk around on the grass. There are great coffee and tea places nearby too to enjoy before or after your visit here.

The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of 21 religious outposts or missions established between 1769 and 1833. These buildings are an important part of California history and are some of the old buildings in the state. So worth seeing!

There was a quincinera (sp) going on when I was there and it added to the visit. Beautiful old mission

Been to several other California Missions and this was by far the smallest. Sits right along a very busy touristy street. Not a lot to see but worth a quick visit.

Went to Ventura and decided to check out the mission. It was the last mission Father Junipero Serra commissioned. I thought it would be bigger but most of the original mission is gone. Probably due to decay. The cool part about the mission is it in located in the middle of downtown Ventura. We parked and walked around the stores on our way to the mission. Good food and nice walk.

We stopped off here during a brief stop in Ventura. The gardens are beautifully maintained with fountains flowing. There were small birds singing and the garden was very peaceful.

Among the old Spanish Missions this one ranks behind Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Santa Inez on my list. Worth a visit if in the area but not as a main attraction.

a beautiful piece of California History!a must visit for anyone visiting this state! founder by the newly sainted Fr. Junephero Serra! Whether your Catholic or not, this is worth visiting!

I love missions! So, for me, any mission is awesome. I love the gardens, the history, even the gift shops. If you come to Ventura, or rather Buenaventura, you must visit the mission. And better yet, it's right downtown; so park, eat, wander, visit, shop....what could be better!

The mission it self is kept up very well. Walking in it’s hard to believe this beautiful church is well over 200 years old.
There is a small room in the back with a great full size recreation of the famous Pieta statue from the Vatican. The garden although small they are beautiful with a number of statues.

My wife and I have been on a quest for the past few years to view all of the missions. The Mission San Buenaventura is small but well cared for and the church appears to still be in use. Unlike many of the missions, there are no historic surrounding structures but there is a small museum and a lovely central courtyard.

A worthwhile 30 minute stop if you are in the area and have an interest in California history!

It just looked like just another building on the busy street UNTIL you started noticing all the out buildings and the water fountain across the street, and the yards and, and, and....

We visited this lovely mission although we are not Catholic it was so peaceful and spiritual. Definately well worth a look and have a quiet seat in their beautiful garden.

Right in downtown Ventura, you transition from a bustling area of shopping and restaurants to a surprising old mission--one of the originals dotting the California coast. Pretty small, and not much to see in terms of exhibitions. But it's nice enough outside to take a good family photo to take advantage of the old architecture.

Loved this place, well preserved. Not to much walking, flat grounds. Good for children and it seems a lot of school groups come through this mission

Check out the safe that still remains in the worship space for offerings heldover from stagecoach days, complete with vintage Wells Fargo artwork.

My husband and I stopped at the mission while walking around downtown Ventura. Mission San Buenaventura is the ninth Spanish mission established in California and the last to be established by Father Junípero Serra. There is a fee into the mission and the small visitors center, but seeing the grounds, artifacts and the chapel are worth it. They have different spots outside where you can light a candle and say a prayer and inside too. The highlight was seeing Michelangelo's Pieta. The replica acquired by Mission San Buenaventura is composed of crushed Carrera marble from the same quarry Michelangelo chose. The crushed marble is mixed with resin and adhesives and then polished to resemble the original work of art.

One of the most interesting Missions in California and it is right in the middle of Downtown Ventura. Very easy to get, good museum and a very interesting look into Early California history. Enjoy the Mission and walk a block down Main Street to the Ventura County Museum.

Quiet and intimate, historic Spanish mission with lovely grounds and garden. Not open long house, but worth going by.

Amazing location right down town. Great history. wonderful peaceful garden in the courtyard. To think this mission has been here so long. The anchor of the burgeoning little community way back when it was first established by Fr. Junipero Serra.

A visit to Ventura can easily include a visit to the Mission San Buenaventura as it is set just on the edge of the main downtown area.

The self guided tour of the mission and the gardens is well worth it if you have some time to spare. In the garden are plenty of benches where you can sit and ponder, surrounded by the sound of the fountains and colourful flowers. It is $4 adult/$1 child admission.

On the mission website there is a historical downtown walking map that you can download - it gives some interesting and useful information about various buildings about town www.sanbuenaventuramission.org .

Very small with very few items to see. It will take about half an hour if you are very slow. It is still an active church and has very little compared to the other missions we have seen.

We often take a peek inside when we are in town. Some days the gates are open and you can enter the courtyard on others you must pay in the gift shop to enter.
Saturday Mass is an open door event as it is often packed. The archeological museum next door is an interesting historical reference point for the Mission's presence.

Beautiful and historic and located in such a lovely place. The grounds are fabulous. The gift shop is a must!

One of the smaller missions, it only took about 30 minutes to see everything but of course, you can sit and enjoy for as long as you'd like. It's only $4 for adults which is reasonable. I thought it was a beautiful & peaceful oasis in the middle of downtown Ventura.

I have attended this Church on numerous occasions & I always enjoy the peaceful gardens.There is a small gift shop there with a museum above it that is tucked away...so try to find it.Theres a nice volunteer there named Blanca & they are getting ready to decorate for Christmas.

A pleasant, informative and enlightening tour experience. Reasonable fee, and a self guided tour from the gift shop. The museum contains some stunning relics from the past, and the grounds are beautifully kept. This is a mission stop that is not to be missed.

This is a must see piece of Ventura history! It was beautiful and so calm and peaceful. If you have the opportunity this is a must.

Parking is on Main St. Meters take credit cards. Rate is .25 for 15 min.
Grounds are beautiful, chapel is nice. Not much in the way of exhibits. Could easily be done in under an hour. Small mission.

I was actually just hoping to find a clean restroom inside the church, (Travel Tip: Catholic Churches often have very clean restrooms that are open to the public, but hey, at least put a little something in the poor box if you use one.) when I found myself bringing up the tail end of a religious procession in this beautiful church! It was like a miracle! But I was looking right and left for a way to get out of the procession when I noticed a gorgeous reproduction of Michalengelo's Pieta off the lobby to the left. So, actually, that was more like a miracle. This beautiful church is obviously welcoming, clean, and was jam packed with worshippers the Sunday I went. It's right up a small flight of stairs, off the sidewalk, with beautiful trees and gardens all around. This is a great spot for a little resting and reflecting about life and the little unexpected miracles that are all around us, every day!

This is a place that you must see and enjoy the serenity of the grounds and church. It is rich in history!

I enjoyed the self guided tour and artifacts in the museum. Church music was played on the premises to really set the tone for the experience. The chapel itself is beautiful and well maintained and you can purchase candles in the gift shop.

A nice mission church, but not notable. If you have never seen a Spanish mission, you will love it. If it is you tenth . . . ho hum.

I make it a habit to stop by any local missions during my travels throughout CA. I was very pleased that I was able to visit Mission San Buenaventura. I was able to visit the mission grounds and step inside the mission itself. I read up on the mission before hand and was able to visualize what life may have been like back in the late 1700s.

This is probably one of the smallest Missions. It has a beautiful garden with a "mini-grotto" to Mary and a nice fountain. The inside of the Mission is beautiful. The artwork of the Stations of the Cross is excellent and the statues look like they have been maintained. They have a nice gift shop and a small museum with nice artifacts that were used in the Mission many years ago.

This is a small yet beautiful mission. A wonderful step back in time. the chapel is a must see! I always go back and see this when I visit Ventura!

Having visited other missions I was excited to visit this one. On the day we went there was a Quinceañera (sweet 15) happening and a wedding after.

The Mission is a little on the small side (compared to the ones I've visited) nonetheless has a lot of history to it. It is amazing how much history California has to offer.

Would recommend this mission to anyone in town with some time to spare. It is small enough but with enough history that won't take up all day to explore.

There is a $4 entrance fee for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

Unlike most other missions this one is right in the middle of a busy street. So parking not as easy as at some of the other missions. Buildings and religious art in great shape.

I agree with previous reviews that the entrance fee is a bit overpriced for the experience. But we didn't mind much since we figured the fee went toward preservation of the mission. This place is small compared to other CA missions and we were done our visit within 30 minutes. The gift shop could use an update. The grounds are well-kept and pretty. Not sure why there was a guy with a table set up just outside the church. Looked like he was selling doughnuts or something for the after-Mass crowd. Seemed oddly out of place.

Yes, it's smaller than some Missions we have visited, but the artifacts, display's, and especially the Relic's behind the locked iron bars were amazing.
For sure it's worth the trip. consider the admission a donation, and enjoy what you will find.

I love to visit this part of Ventura to enjoy the view of Mission San Buenaventura. Would love to see the city keep the nearby park and plaza super clean as it is really an historic place that every Californian should visit at least once. I have come many times. The drive up the hill behind it gets to a monument honoring Father Junipera Serra and has a fabulous view of this small city, the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands which is one of a kind!

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.

One of the highlights of "downtown Ventura" was the San Buenaventura mission, with its fragrant courtyard plantings, charming tiled fountain, olive oil press, and the serene interior of the chapel.

This was one of the top places I wanted to visit on my vacation to Thousand Oaks. It did not disappoint. The mission is beautiful and peaceful. The interior of the chapel is well-maintained. The altar, Stations of the Cross and statues are beautiful. The courtyard is peaceful. It is a nice place to sit and rest. There are candles to light for special intentions in the courtyard. A small gift shop is located on the street level with the museum a flight of stairs above which can be accessed through the shop or from the upper level. This is a place well worth visiting.

I am touring Missions on my vacation. This Mission is small compared to others. It is nice though. This one may not be as amazing as San Juan Capistrano or Santa Barbara but it has character and wonderful history.