About Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, California:
Mission San Buenaventura, formally known as the Mission Basilica of San Buenaventura, is a historic Spanish mission located in Ventura, California. Founded on March 31, 1782, by Father Junípero Serra, it was the ninth of California’s 21 missions and the last one Serra personally established. Named after St. Bonaventure, the mission reflects its roots in the Order of Friars Minor, who spearheaded Spain’s missionary efforts in Alta California.
Situated in downtown Ventura, the mission was strategically placed near the Chumash village of Mitsqanaqa’n, leveraging the area’s fertile land and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It quickly became a hub for agriculture and livestock, supported by an impressive seven-mile aqueduct system built by the Chumash between 1805 and 1815, channeling water from the Ventura River. The mission thrived, producing crops like wheat, barley, and fruits, and raising cattle, sheep, and horses— peaking at over 35,000 cattle in 1818.
The current church, completed in 1809, replaced an earlier structure destroyed by fire in 1793. Its architecture blends Spanish Colonial elements with a simple yet elegant design: adobe walls, a tiled roof, and a distinctive triangular façade possibly symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The campanario (bell tower) houses five bells, two dating to 1781, and the interior features a Mexican-crafted altar from 1809 and restored Chumash artwork.
The mission endured setbacks—earthquakes in 1812 and 1857, a tidal wave, and secularization in 1836 under Mexican rule—but was returned to the Catholic Church in 1862 by President Lincoln.
Today, it remains an active parish serving around 2,000 families, elevated to a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2020.
Visitors are welcome to attend weekend or week day Masses, explore the church, a small museum with Chumash artifacts and mission-era items, and a serene garden with a fountain and statues, including one of Junipero Serra moved there in 2024.
Traveling to Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, California:
Ventura is located about 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The mission’s location on Main Street integrates it into Ventura’s vibrant historic downtown, a rarity among California missions.
Address: 211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: +1 (805) 643-4318
Click here for the official website of Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, California