A Mission a month- Ventura Mission






This is the first of monthly posts where I will feature one of the twenty missions that line up our beautiful state. I have always wanted to visit all twenty one missions and this would be a great way to challenge myself to visit them all. I figured if I have to feature one a month on the blog, it would MAKE me get out and explore each one.

This month I wanted to feature the San Buenaventura Mission, also known informally as the Ventura Mission. We had the opportunity to visit last week as a family and wanted to share with you our experience.

The Ventura Mission is a smaller mission and one of the last missions to be founded by Father Junipero Serra. It was founded in 1782 and is located at the northern end of Main Street. You can ark on the street in front of the Mission or turn right on Palm and left into the parking lot area next to the Mission.

Donation for the Museum and a self-guided tour is $2.00 for adults and 50 cents for children.
You enter the museum through the gift shop, which is adjacent to the mission.
We spent about thirty minutes exploring the museum and grounds as this is a pretty small mission. The kiddos loved playing in the courtyard and checking out the artifacts in the museum. My four year old loved everything about the church. She walked in with my husband and asked many questions about the mission, church and the grounds. My two year old was happy playing in the courtyard’s water fountain. I tried to take him inside but he is still a bit young to be interested in learning about the missions. He was however in love with the courtyard and the beautiful landscaping.

Next time you are heading up the coast or are in Ventura, make sure to take some time and explore the grounds. I would love for you to join in the challenge. If you take this challenge please email me your pictures! I would love to share.