Mission San Buenaventura, the “Mission by the Sea”, is located in the surfing town of Ventura. This was the 9th and final mission established during the presidency of Junipero Serra who died in 1784.
Comparisons with the impressive Santa Barbara mission (only 30 miles to the north) are inevitable. Mission San Buenaventura is not impressive. It’s a simple mission with a church and small garden and located on Main Street.
There is not much left of the old mission. For whatever reason, restoration work did not include the mission’s quadrangle and workshops which used to extend down what is now Main Street. A school now sits on the site of the mission cemetery.
The beautiful church has walls painted in shades of pink and brown. Mottled green ceiling beams standout and there are wooden chandeliers. The alter features statues of Mary, San Buenaventura, and Joseph all set in front of a blue background
The inviting courtyard has a varied array of plants and a fountain in the middle. There are palms, bougainvillea, potted plants and a statues of Mary, Saint Francis, and Father Serra.
Inside is a small museum which includes a model of the old mission, Indian baskets, paintings, religious items and old photographs.
Alta California Missions 