Ventura County is a place you must experience because of the great restaurants, beautiful palm trees and dozens of recreational attractions near the beach.  The original name of the county is San Buenaventura which in Spanish means “city of good fortune”.  Furthermore, it is on the way to success providing many opportunities to people living in the surrounding areas.  Along with business opportunities, Ventura County offers a scenic environment and even a more friendly community.  But you will find out, in this article, more detailed reasons this county brings people who inhabit it good fortune.

Why do people move to Ventura County?

For those who enjoy the beach life in combination with lake life, this is the place to live because it has a perfect mixture of both.  Ventura also has mountains for hiking, beaches to surf, places to scuba dive, and the ever-amazing Channel Islands.  There is also an incredible sense of togetherness because the people of Ventura County will all come together in aid during disasters and they come together to commemorate.  In general, it is feasible to build a network in this county which creates an immeasurable amount of opportunities for the ambitious individuals.

The unemployment rate in Ventura County is quite low; therefore, people who move to any of the areas will be capable of finding work or a career.  I understand that the cost of living is also an essential factor when determining the best place to live.  According to the statistics, housing in Ventura County is more affordable than any other county in California.  There is a multitude of things to do in Ventura County from climbing the mountains to sailing on a boat in the ocean.

A seaside cliff in Ventura County.
A seaside cliff in Ventura County.

Some of the mountains people often hike in the county are the following:

  • La Jolla Canyon
  • Sandstone Peak
  • Mugu Peak
  • Ventura Promenade

Another critical factor to consider when moving to another area is safety.  Ventura County has one of the best law enforcement in areas such as:

  • Beach Areas
  • Public Parks
  • Hotels
  • Schools
  • Restaurants

Why do people live in Ventura County?

Ventura County is a beautiful beach town that consists of some of the most extraordinary places, artistry, restaurants, and beaches.  The parts of Ventura County where people live are Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Santa Paula.  Ventura also has some agricultural areas, small industry, and commercial areas.  Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Camarillo are the areas which are most well-known for cropping.  The small business industry consists of businesses such as bookkeeping, management, and legal services to name a few.  The areas near the beach are commercial areas comprised of hotels and restaurants.

Here is a list of trendy restaurants that the people of Ventura county love:

  • Urbane Cafe
  • Beach House Tacos
  • Lure Fish House
  • Cafe Nouveau
  • Spencer Makenzie’s Fish

Ventura County is also known to be a place of beauty in California because it has astounding mountains and beaches.  Therefore, people who live in Ventura County sincerely live life to the fullest.  Though Ventura County rather small in size, people love it because everything is nearby such as restaurants, beaches, parks, museums and schools for the children.

Palm trees in Ventura county.
Palm trees in Ventura county.

Here is a list of the museums in Ventura County:

  • Museum of Ventura County
  • Channel Islands Maritime Museum
  • Mullin Automotive Museum
  • Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing
  • Port Hueneme Historical Society Museum
Ojai Valley Museum in Ventura County.
Ojai Valley Museum in Ventura County.

The following are the best school districts for children:

  • Briggs School District
  • Conejo Valley Unified School District
  • Fillmore Unified School District
  • Hueneme Elementary School District
  • Las Virgenes Unified School District
  • Mesa Union School District
  • Moorpark Unified School District
  • Mupu Elementary School District

Ventura County has incredible weather with an average temperature between warm and cool, which will give you an opportunity to enjoy it all year round.  The county has everything from neighborhood farms in Camarillo to the entertainment life in Agoura.  Many celebrities like John McCook, James Ennis, Baylie Cregut and Krista Allen were born in Ventura County.

Downtown is a charming and trendy place to visit where you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.  The reason why people love living in Ventura is by its nature a peaceful and euphoric environment.  Ventura County is an excellent place for families especially because it is known to be a safe place with outstanding schools all around the area not far from many of the neighborhoods.  Ultimately, what matters is the charm of the area and the endless things Ventura County has for people deciding to move or planning a vacation.

What are the best areas in and near Ventura County?

If you are looking for a place full of beauty and nature, then Ventura County is one of the best places to visit in the state of California.  Another thing that adds charm to this county is the nightlife scene in the cities.

Some of the most partied clubs are:

  • Keynote Lounge
  • Bogies
  • Eos Lounge
  • M8RX Nightclub & Lounge
A large boardwalk in Ventura County.
A large boardwalk in Ventura County.

Serra Cross Park is a historic place with the most relaxing ocean views in Ventura where many couples get married.  The stonework of the park is also a must-see masterpiece.  Overall, the scenic views all over are exquisite; for example, on a sunny morning, you can see to the Channel Islands, Gardens and parking zones close to the park.  It is perfect for meditation and yoga exercise if that is your preferred activity because of the fresh air and grass territory around the Park.

The Serra Cross, situated in Grant Park, offers a magnificent landmark in Ventura County, Oxnard, and the Coast.  As far as anyone knows the Padres initially raised it from the Ventura Mission.  Throughout the years, it has been updated and improved.  The best time to see the Channel Islands is in the mornings.  As mentioned previously, it is a bit difficult; however, there is roadside parking while in transit to the cross.  There are a couple of gardens full of fresh air and grass.

There is a decent trail starting from behind the Ventura City Hall that leads up to the way to the cross.  It can be an exhilarating walk, especially in the warmth.  However, I would not recommend the climb for kids under the age of five or six.

The following are places that people who live in Ventura County would recommend:

  • Anacapa Island
  • Channel Islands Maritime Museum
  • Emma Wood State Beach
  • Four Brix Winery
  • Gull Wings Children’s Museum
  • Lake Casitas Recreation Area
  • Mission San Buenaventura
  • Old Creek Ranch Winery
  • Point State Park
  • Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
  • Rubicon Theatre Company
  • Sandstone Peak
  • Santa Cruz Island
  • Serra Cross Park
  • Stagecoach Inn
  • Surfers Point Park
  • The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park
  • Ventura Botanical Gardens
  • Ventura City Hall
  • Ventura County Museum of History & Art
  • Ventura Pier and Promenade
  • Ventura to Ojai Paved Bike Path

What is it like to live in Ventura County?

Ventura County is known to be a place of love, fun, music, beauty and of course, good fortune.  If you are looking for the best beach in Ventura County, you must visit San Buenaventura State Beach.  The beautiful scenes at the beach after dinner are mesmerizing.  The lightning work creates charm you won’t see anywhere else on a beach.

A beachfront with a large bridge in the distance on a hazy day in Ventura County.
A beachfront with a large bridge in the distance on a hazy day in Ventura County.

Ventura is an impressive little beach town, ideal for families.  Also, with Los Angeles just an hour away it is anything but arduous to get the fun and enjoyment without really living there!  Ventura County is an ideal place to grow up and raise a family.  It has a calming atmosphere, and it feels like summer almost year-round.  As the county is matched with the lovely scenery, the residential community-feel makes the individuals who live in the county feel at home.

How is real estate in Ventura County?

Ventura County has some spectacular homes, and with the help of Padx.com, you can find the perfect one for you and your family.  And if you plan to build your dream home, you will have a variety of exceptional hotels to occupy.  These hotels provide the most beautiful views of the county’s enchanting places mentioned in this article.

A large metal figure next to a sign that reads McGrath Market Next Exit in Ventura County.
A large metal figure next to a sign that reads McGrath Market Next Exit in Ventura County.

The top hotels near the beach are:

  • Best Western Plus Inn of Ventura
  • Clocktower Inn Hotel
  • Comfort Inn Ventura Beach
  • Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
  • Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor
  • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ventura Harbor
An aerial view of a wooden boardwalk in the ocean in Ventura County.
An aerial view of a wooden boardwalk in the ocean in Ventura County.

Just like all six-region districts, Ventura County’s single-family home prices rose last June.  Moreover, the region, which incorporates Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura, had a spike in real estate that rose multi-year over year to about $615,000.  But you can still find a home for you and your family at a lower price than any other county.  It just depends on you where you want to live in the county because there are areas where you can buy a fully featured house at a fair price.  According to different surveys, there are thousands of active home listings in Ventura as of this year.  You can buy a home ranging from 300k into the millions.  Like most places in southern California, the cost depends on the environment, location, and views.

What is the history of Ventura County?

Ventura County was full of the Chumash people, who additionally settled much of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.  The Chumash were hunters, traders with the Mojave, Fishermen, Yokuts, and Tongva Indians.  The Chumash are well known for their work in rock art and their mind-blowing basketry.  The Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks has a few remade Chumash houses, and there are a few Chumash pictographs in the area, including the Burro Flats Painted Cave in Simi Valley.

The plank canoe which was called a tomol in Chumash was essential to their lifestyle.  This fact has led to theories among archeologists as to whether the Chumash could have had a pre-noteworthy contact with Polynesians.  According to diachronic phonetics, certain words; for example, Tomolo’o could be identified with Polynesian dialects.  The language of the Chumash dialect that was spoken in Ventura County was Ventureño.

An aerial view of the ocean and beach in Ventura County.
An aerial view of the ocean and beach in Ventura County.

A few place names in Ventura were named by the Chumash, including Ojai, which is said to be the moon and Simi Valley.  It begins from the word Shimiyi and refers to the stringy, string-like mists that exemplify the region.  Others incorporate Point Mugu from the word Muwu (meaning “beach or shoreline”), Saticoy from the word Sa’aqtiko’y (meaning “shielded for the breeze”), and Sespe Creek from the word S’eqp’e (kneecap).


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