Downtown San Buenaventura

posted on January 22 2008 by elCID

The coastal art mecca, California's new art city

With dozens of galleries, restaurants, and not a few museums and historical sites, downtown Ventura is a great place to visit and soak up some California culture. There are certainly hundreds of shops along the Main Street in San Buenaventura, including a movie theater and train stop. There is also the historical Mission San Buenaventura and the Museum of History and Art, dating 3500 years of culture through Chumash artifacts, right up through modern times and acclaimed artists.

Recently named 6th in the nation as 'The top 10 places for artists', San Buenaventura's downtown is bustling with music and food, art and fun. Major events such as the Artwalk are staged here, with thousands of visitors flocking in from far and wide to shop and look at great art. Ventura is on its way to being an art mecca, if not already there.

Just over an hour away from Los Angeles, it's a great day trip. But don't let that stop you from staying longer; plenty of great hotels can be found here, too! You could take forays into downtown Ventura a dozen weekends in a row and never repeat a shopping, dining, or cultural experience.