TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS  

Oxnard Airport, approximately 10 miles from downtown Ventura, has daily direct flights to Los Angeles, and serves connecting flights to all major cities. The closest major airports are in Los Angeles and Burbank, both of which are approximately one hour away by car. A variety of rental car companies and shuttle services are available to and from the airports, including shuttle services from the airports in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Burbank. There is also an Amtrak station in downtown Ventura, as well as a Metrolink commuter train station that provides service to Los Angeles. 

BRIEF HISTORY 

Ventura was originally inhabited for centuries by the Chumash Indians. When the Spanish missionaries and settlers began to arrive, Ventura became the site of one of the most successful California Missions, established by Father Junipero Serra, and named for Saint Bonaventura (Ventura's full, official name is San Buenaventura). Land that belonged to the Mission was eventually given to Spnish and Mexican settlers. Among these settlers was Raimundo Olivas, who built the now-famous hacienda (the "Olivas Adobe") that still exists today and is an important part of Ventura history. After the Civil War, new settlers took or bought land from the current settlers, and agriculture was established as the main economy. In the late 1800's, Thomas Bard came to Ventura to see after the large properties owned in the area by railroad tycoon Thomas Scott. To this day, Bard and his family are credited with facilitating much of the growth in Ventura and the surrounding area, as they were largely responsible for establishing the Union Oil Company there.

Despite the prosperity that resulted from the rich soils and oil production, population growth was slow because traveling to the area was very arduous. In the 1920's, the Maricopa Highway was built and population began to grow with this new access route. Remarkably, it wasn't until 1969 when the Ventura Freeway was built (connecting Ventura and Los Angeles), that travel to Ventura became easy and the area saw significant growth. 

POPULATION 100,916 

ABOUT EDUCATION 

Ventura Unified School District consists of 5 high schools (including Foothill Technology High School), 4 middle schools, and 17 elementary schools. There are also 11 private or parochial schools. Many of the schools in the Ventura Unified School District have received awards of excellence, and the community residents are proud of the high quality education system in Ventura County. In 2003, test scores show that Ventura School district achieved the goal of 50% or more students scoring above the national average on standardized testing. High schools in the Ventura Unified District scored above the state and national averages for SAT scores in, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002. 

A wide variety of continuing education opportunities are available in the area including (but not limited to): Ventura College, University of California Santa Barbara Extension Program, and the recently opened California State University, Channel Islands campus. Thomas Aquinas college, a liberal Catholic college, is located in nearby Santa Paula (about 20 miles inland). 

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA? 

Despite its proximity to major Southern California metropolitan areas, Ventura has maintained a friendly, California beach-town feel, in part because of the late-coming freeway access to the town. The climate is warm and sunny, and the residents enjoy a diverse terrain of mountains, valleys, rivers, and ocean, as well as access to the Channel Islands National Park (which includes five small islands designated as national marine sanctuaries). There are weekly fresh fish markets, abundant cultural arts opportunities including symphony, ballet, and theater, and art galleries that frequently show the works of nearby Ojai artists. There are abundant recreation avenues including snorkeling, diving, sailing, and biking. It has a diverse population and a rich history stemming from the Spanish missionaries in the early 1800's which residents have intentionally preserved as an important part of their coommunity. This is a wonderful place for someone who wants to live in a beach community, who enjoys beautiful scenery and outdoor exploration, but who also desires the amenities of an established city.