Ventura is a mellow coastal city about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, nestled between the Ventura Foothills and the Pacific Ocean. Its location and narrow footprint give residents almost unrivaled access to the beach and mountain trails. This makes it a haven for surfers and outdoor enthusiasts. It's also why Ventura is known as a chill surf town rather than a prominent city. "The first thing that comes to mind about our city is our laid-back attitude and culture," says Julie Madsen, communications and PR coordinator for Visit Ventura. "We pride ourselves on having a small-town, nonpretentious vibe. It's more affordable and slower paced, and you can choose your own adventure in Ventura." Beyond the beach, Ventura is home to a vibrant downtown, historic Spanish missions and neighborhoods full of 1920s architecture. Despite the ideal location, Ventura's lack of major industry has made it one of the few coastal Southern California spots not to skyrocket in price. However, the market has started to rise over the last decade, as city-led start-up incubators have invited new tech companies and large outerwear companies like Patagonia, which reflect the city's outdoor spirit.
Downtown Ventura is situated between the 101 freeway and the hills.
You can find surfers catching a wave throughout the day at Surfers Point in Ventura.
Enjoy the moments throughout the X Games in Downtown Ventura.
Locals enjoy kayaking in the Ventura Harbor.
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Venturing out in Ventura
Ventura is an outdoor lovers' paradise, with the climate averaging around 70 degrees and sunny almost every day of the year. The surrounding ocean and mountains offer hiking, swimming, paddleboarding and much more, but the city is a surf town at its heart. Surfers usually take on the waves at Surfer’s Knoll or Surfer’s Point on California Street. Surfers Point is exposed to bigger ocean breaks on the north end of Ventura Beach. Swimmers and sunbathers are rarely more than a few minutes away from the sand, so bikes are a popular transportation method. Folks can pedal and stroll along the Ventura beach promenade to take in the views. Kids can play at the beachfront Marina Park and Harbor Cove Beach, referred to as Mother’s Beach, where the seas are a little calmer. These are walking distance from Ventura Harbor, home to marinas, yacht clubs and breezy waterfront eateries. Beachside events are a regular occurrence in the city, from the Ventura County Fair to Surf Rodeo, a unique combination of cowboys, surfers and live music. The city also hosted the 2024 X Games. While the sand and surf are its main draw, hikers enjoy a selection of trails with ocean views along the north side of the city.
Channel Islands National Park is just off the coast. The natural oasis is a popular spot for hiking, snorkeling and boating. “There aren’t that many beach towns that have a national park off their coast,” Madsen says. “It’s very remote, you can hike with wildlife, and there are panoramic views.” While the islands are kid friendly, those who prefer the solitude of rustic camping will be pleased too. While it is a 90-minute ferry ride to get there, Madsen says its more than worth the wait. “It’s whale-watching season now, but you’ll also see hundreds of dolphins swimming alongside the boat."
Catch a wave at nearby Ventura Harbor.
The Summer X-Games takeover Ventura welcoming over 100,000 thousand people over the 3 day event.
You can hike along the many trails around Ventura and enjoy many picturesque locations.
A major staple to Ventura County is the Ventura County Fair which takes place yearly.
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Downtown's vibrant dining and historic landmarks
Main Street is the city's commercial vein, leading west through Midtown's quaint cafes into downtown. Downtown Ventura is a vibrant, pedestrian-only hub for galleries, restaurants, shopping, museums and historic sites. “Nearly 90% or more of our downtown is locally owned,” says Madsen. Historic Mission San Buenaventura is downtown's cornerstone. its was established by Spanish missionaries in 1782 as one of the nine California missions. The influences from its Mission architecture can be seen throughout the city. Ventura’s culinary scene reflects the laid-back and adventurous vibe of the city, with everything from casual taco shops and bakeries to multiple chefs with James Beard Awards. Downtown's Ventura Theater is an iconic venue built in the 1920s — its Spanish Revival design was modeled after luxury movie palaces of that time. Designated a historic landmark, the venue boasts a regular concert schedule, including household-name artists like Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg. Aside from downtown, there are seaside oyster bars, a booming brewery scene, and a taco district on Ventura Avenue. “Our taco district is amazing, and all of the taquerias are family-owned and operated, and many of them have been here for generations,” says Madsen. “One thing that’s unique in terms of Mexican cuisine is our corn burritos.” These beloved fried, rolled up tortillas are filled with beans, cheese and red sauce and were first created in Ventura.
Creatives have been drawn to the city for years, and its vibrant art scene boasts an eclectic range of galleries and the WAV, a live/workspace run by Ventura for artists and cultural businesses to collaborate and put on shows. The Westside neighborhood is fueling this creativity, hosting events on the first Friday of every month, an annual ArtWalk and growing Ventura’s kaleidoscope of public murals.
San Buenaventura Mission was founded March 30, 1749 by the Franciscan priest Junipero Serra.
The Busy Bee Cafe serves guest until 9pm nightly in Downtown Ventura.
Ventura Pier is the oldest pier in California and extends 1602 feet into the Pacific Ocean.
You can get some of the freshest seafood in Ventura at Eric Ericsson’s Fish Co.
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1920s architecture and beachfront homes
Although prices have risen, Ventura still has notably lower prices than some of its coastal neighbors. Its median home price is almost $900,000, compared to over $2 million up the coast in Santa Barbara. The city's housing landscape covers everything from urban condos to beachfront homes, but it's best known for its bounty of early-1900s architecture. These 1920s homes are on full display in Midtown — Ventura's most sought-after neighborhood — where Craftsman bungalows with grassy lawns and hillside Mission Revival mansions range from $800,000 to almost $4 million. Midtown is also desired for its walkability to the beach and downtown. Newer condos and single-family homes on the city's east side can start at $500,000. Pierpont is the city's main beachfront neighborhood, located on the south end of Ventura Beach. Its oceanfront homes can cost over $3 million.
You can find luxurious beach front homes in the Ventura Beach area.
While most of Midtown has small homes you can find larger estates in the hills.
The average home stays on the market for 48 days in Midtown Ventura.
Condos can be found near Downtown Ventura's beaches with views of Channel Islands.
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Top marks for Ventura Schools
The city is served by the Ventura Unified School District, which earns an overall A-minus from Niche. The district has 27 schools in total, including Ventura High, rated an A-minus. For higher education, the city offers Ventura College, a community college that earns a B from Niche and is ranked No. 54 among the best community colleges in California. Ventura College offers a Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement Program for low-income students who major in STEM.
Work at Patagonia's HQ or commute on the 101
Residents might drive, bike or take the bus to the city's large employers, such as Patagonia's headquarters on the west side or Ventura County Medical Center in Midtown. Many still commute on the I-101 freeway, which runs along the city's coastline. Los Angeles is about 70 miles south, and Santa Barbara is almost 30 miles north. The drive to LA can sometimes take over two hours with heavy traffic through the San Fernando Valley. Commuters can also take a 3-hour train ride to LA from the Ventura Transit Station downtown. The train ride up to Santa Barbara is about an hour. Locals also drive to Santa Barbara Airport for flights.
Combatting city crime
Although Ventura's crime rates have stayed mostly comparable to state and national rates, crime has slightly increased in the past few years. According to FBI data, in 2022 its violent crime rate was 92 offenses per 100,000 people, about on par with state numbers. However, by the end of 2023 it had risen to 116 offenses, slightly higher than both state and national rates, 103 and 111 respectively. The Ventura Police Department released a strategic plan for 2024, including improving response times, ensuring demographics align with those in the community, strengthening relationships with community organizations and other partnerships and implementing initiatives for safer neighborhoods. While Ventura violent crimes may be slightly up from previous years, overall, Ventura County is the safest large county in California, according to 2022 data released by the California Department of Justice. It had the lowest rates of reported crimes among California’s 16 largest counties that year, and it led the way in public safety, thanks to Ventura law enforcement's increased collaboration efforts with local law enforcement agencies and partnerships within the community.
Linda Parizo is a highly accomplished real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, specializing in listing and sales. She has been consistently recognized as a top producer, earning numerous awards and accolades in her 35-plus years in sales and marketing. Linda continues to be honored as a member of the President's Circle, International Diamond Society and The Coldwell Banker Sterling Society.
Linda's background in design and merchandising enables her to develop specific staging and marketing plans for her clients' homes, maximizing marketability and resulting in higher prices in shorter periods of time. She employs a wide range of marketing techniques, with a primary focus on internet marketing, using enhanced listings on popular platforms such as Homes.com, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Yahoo. Linda also utilizes professional photography, Youtube advertising, social media, TV and online promotions, Single-property websites, and Luxury Property Brochures to effectively market her clients' properties.
Linda is known for her genuine passion for the real estate business and her exceptional negotiating skills. Her clients appreciate her honest, hardworking, and aggressive-yet-friendly approach. Linda attends all inspections and appraisals, negotiating any requested repairs, and her clients find her extremely accessible with great follow-through and attention to detail.
As a member of the Coldwell Banker President's Circle Elite and International Diamond Society, Linda is at the top of the Coldwell Banker network of elite agents. She has earned her GRI, the highest level of education a realtor can obtain, and her CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert, enabling her to negotiate with banks on behalf of distressed property owners. Linda is also a Certified Negotiator and an ePro, trained in real estate technology. Outside of work, Linda is a lifelong resident of Ventura County and has extensive knowledge of the community and schools, both public and private.
She is an active member of The National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors. Linda and her husband Tom, a retired educator and athletic director, have raised their two children in the area and have been active in many local groups, donating their time to help make their community and schools a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
