Ventura Visitors Center

This place is a gem! I have been to Ventura so many times through the years, but recently found and visited the Visitors Center for the first time. The volunteers are friendly and informative. They have lots of info re local points of interest, also told us about the free trolley. There are items to buy, tshirts, sweatshirts, postcards and other local items. Definitely worth the visit. I especially appreciate that the manager, Michele, came out of her office to talk with us. She heard that we were planning our high school reunion at the beach, and she offered us some great tips. If you are planning a vacation, a wedding or a reunion in Ventura, touch bases with Michele.

Lots of info on Ventura and the surrounding area. Being fairly new to 805 I was curious as to what I could learn about Ventura and the surrounding here. The young lady (worked on Saturday) was very helpful as I asked a few questions.
There is lots of good photography by local photographers, t shirts and a large rack of pamphlets with info on wineries, whale watching and more.

Ok, so the Anacapa Brewery was our first stop in town, but the visitors center was #2!
The ladies inside were really friendly and asked us a couple questions, shared the highlights of the town recommended some places to eat and sent us on our merry way with a good supply of maps and visitor guides.
Sites:
The cross — nice windy drive up to a lovely view that overlooks all of the area! Great tip — would be a nice place for a picnic and a little hang if the weather was sunny!
The mission — small, fine place to spend about a half hour.
Main St — full of little shops, bars and restaurants
City Hall — never actually made it — but it was a nice building to look at!
The pier — you’re at the beach! You should visit the beach!
The marina — not bad, a bit of a tourist trap — fine place to grab lunch and spend a little bit of time.
The visitors center is great, it is close to free parking and centrally located in the heart of town!

I booked the Sunday Wine Trail Package through them — It was nice to sit back and relax while visiting different Wineries and lunch was provided. When arriving at the Visitor’s center to get the tickets — we surprised on ease of location and how nice and helpful the staff was.

Beautiful San Buenaventura! Oh yes, She is! Take one step into the downtown area and immediately feel connected. Connected to the great, gentle energy our city has.
The Visitors Center has a wealth of information on Historical Ventura, The Channel Islands and local events and hotspots throughout the city. They provide detailed information about the rich history of Ventura stemming back to Chumash Indian beginnings right through the construction of our lovely San Buenaventura Mission.
Entertainment? Art in every form – the Majestic Ventura Theatre, music venues, performing art theatres, art galleries and museums abound in this City and you’ll find a brochure touching a little of each at the VVC. Fun History? Discover the Ghosts of yesteryear still roaming Ventura and Others galavanting the coastline through books offered at the VVC… this can be entertaining, spiritually enlightening or hauntingly spooky, depending on how you look at it. :0)
The people who run the Visitors Center are very informative and friendly. Whether you’re a visitor or a local… step inside this place for 30 minutes and walk out with a new perception. ;0) You’ll appreciate this lovely city much more than you already do!
Remember: Our city has many small businesses, so our Visitors are loved and appreciated here! :0) So, don’t pass us by! Instead, experience the warm hospitality our city has to offer. :0)
Reviewed by
Yvette Leilani Brownstone
Ventura CA

Now, first of all, not everyone believes in Visitors. And, not all of those that believe in Visitors think it’s a good idea to be welcoming them.
Wikipedia quotes Professor Stephen Hawking as predicting that «the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans.» He advocated that, rather than try to establish contact, man should try to avoid contact with Visitors.
But over here in the good ol’ U.S. of A., we’re safe from brainy Englishmen, and free to build elaborate welcome centers for the Visitors.
The Ventura Visitor Center seems to be organized on the principle that when the Visitors come, they will need to be entertained. They have racks of brochures, as well as a variety of local newspapers and magazines to show the Visitors what life is like on the third rock from the Sun.
There are large, room-​size, displays from several local businesses and groups (e.g., Ventura Harbor Village, the Lemoncello Company, the Fillmore and Western Railroad, etc.) to give the Visitors a sense of Ventura. They have all sorts of local t-​shirts, hats and other souvenirs for the Visitors to buy.
In the center of the big room is an Information Desk with helpful attendants. I wondered what it was like to work with Visitors, but I didn’t ask. However, I did ask them if they needed to have people on duty that spoke the Visitor’s language, and they said no, the Visitors always speak English.
Weird, huh?
So, there you have it, Ventura. Right there, in the middle of downtown, your fellow citizens have the Welcome Mat out for the Visitors.
I thought you’d want to know.
Mikey C. says: Dude! Visitors!!!