Where is Ventura, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Ventura, California Located in the United States? - Ventura is a city located in the Ventura County in California, United States. Ventura lies between 34.2694 Degrees North latitudes and -119.229 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Ventura, Ventura, California

Where is Ventura Located in Ventura, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Ventura in Ventura County, in the U.S. state of California.

Ventura Map, California, USA

About Ventura Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Ventura, Ventura County, California

Ventura is located in Ventura County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States along the Pacific Ocean coastline. The city was incorporated in 1866 and was named after Mission San Buenaventura, and it serves as the county seat of Ventura County with a strong connection to tourism, agriculture, and coastal commerce.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Ventura is 110,763 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 3,300 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ventura covers a total area of approximately 32.3 square miles (about 83.7 square kilometers), including about 21.7 square miles (56.2 square kilometers) of land and 10.6 square miles (27.5 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Ventura is situated northwest of Los Angeles and south of Santa Barbara, positioned between the Pacific Ocean and the Topatopa Mountains. The city features beaches, coastal bluffs, and a historic downtown area that reflects its Spanish and maritime heritage. U.S. Route 101 runs through Ventura, providing major highway access along California’s central and southern coast.

Top Attractions

Ventura offers a variety of coastal and cultural attractions that support tourism and outdoor recreation. Popular destinations include Ventura Pier, Mission San Buenaventura, and Surfers Point at Seaside Park. The city is also home to Ventura College, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.

Transportation

Ventura is served by U.S. Route 101, connecting the city to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Public transportation includes Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service and regional bus systems linking nearby communities. The nearest major airport is Santa Barbara Airport, located approximately 40 miles to the northwest.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Ventura City Website.

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Ventura, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityVentura
CountyVentura County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States
Latitude34.2746° N
Longitude119.2290° W
ElevationApproximately 36 ft (11 m)
Land Area20.7 sq mi
Water Area0.1 sq mi
Total Area20.8 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)110,763
Population DensityApproximately 5,350 per sq mi
ZIP Codes93001, 93003, 93004
Area Code805
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-65042
Community TypeCity

Transportation and Connectivity in Ventura, California

TransportationDetails
Airport NameVentura County Airport (Oxnard Airport)
IATA CodeOXR
Regional AirportHollywood Burbank Airport and Los Angeles International Airport
PortPort of Hueneme
Major HighwaysUS Route 101, State Route 33, State Route 126
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner service at Ventura-East Station
Local Transit ServiceGold Coast Transit District
  • US Route 101 — Major coastal highway connecting Ventura with Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Central California.
  • State Route 33 — Scenic highway connecting Ventura with the Los Padres National Forest and inland areas.
  • State Route 126 — Regional route connecting Ventura with Santa Paula and the Santa Clarita Valley.

Top Places to Visit in Ventura, California

Landmark NameType
San Buenaventura MissionHistoric Mission
Ventura Harbor VillageWaterfront District
Surfers Point at Seaside ParkBeach and Recreation Area
Channel Islands National ParkNational Park
Ventura Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
Emma Wood State BeachState Beach
Marina ParkWaterfront Park
Albinger Archaeological MuseumHistory Museum
Downtown Ventura Historic DistrictHistoric District
Ventura PierHistoric Pier

Driving Distances from Ventura, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
OxnardCalifornia8 mi15 minutes
Santa BarbaraCalifornia30 mi40 minutes
Santa PaulaCalifornia12 mi20 minutes
CamarilloCalifornia15 mi25 minutes
MalibuCalifornia55 mi1 hour
Los AngelesCalifornia65 mi1 hour 20 minutes
BakersfieldCalifornia115 mi2 hours
San Luis ObispoCalifornia100 mi1 hour 45 minutes
San DiegoCalifornia170 mi3 hours
Las VegasNevada300 mi5 hours

Colleges and Universities Near Ventura, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
California State University Channel IslandsPublicUniversityEducation, business, health sciences, and liberal arts programs
Ventura CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, career education, and workforce training
California Lutheran UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, education, sciences, and liberal arts
Oxnard CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer programs, technical education, and transfer studies
Ventura Unified School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictLocal public education

Waterbodies Near Ventura, California

Pacific Ocean, Ventura Harbor, Santa Clara River, Ventura River, Channel Islands National Park waters, and nearby coastal waterways

Golf Courses and Stadiums Near Ventura

Golf Courses: Buenaventura Golf Course, Olivas Links, Saticoy Regional Golf Course, and nearby Ventura County golf facilities. Stadiums: Ventura College Sportsplex, Ventura College athletic facilities, and local community sports fields.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Ventura, California

Landmark NameType
San Buenaventura MissionHistoric Mission
Ventura Harbor VillageWaterfront District
Ventura PierHistoric Pier
Channel Islands National ParkNational Park
Downtown Ventura Historic DistrictHistoric District
Ventura Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
Emma Wood State BeachState Beach
Marina ParkWaterfront Park
Albinger Archaeological MuseumHistory Museum
Surfers Point at Seaside ParkBeach Recreation Area

Ventura, California — Key Historical Facts

  • The Ventura area was originally inhabited by the Chumash people, who lived along the Southern California coast for thousands of years.
  • San Buenaventura Mission was founded in 1782 by Father Junípero Serra and became the ninth California mission.
  • The city of Ventura developed around agriculture, ranching, fishing, and coastal trade.
  • Ventura was incorporated as a city in 1866 and became the county seat of Ventura County.
  • The discovery of oil in the Ventura region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed to economic growth.
  • Today, Ventura is known for its beaches, historic downtown, surfing, outdoor recreation, and access to the Channel Islands.

References

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