To get started, please complete our Visitation Request form. If you have other questions or requests, please reach out to our Communications & PR Coordinator Julie Madsen at julie@visitventuraca.com. She would love to help you!
Not surprisingly, Ventura is making headlines. Below, you’ll find leads we worked on. Please see ‘Spotted in the News’ for other coverage, too.
We sincerely believe there’s no place like our Ventura home. Perhaps we can team up and show you why.
Ventura Skate Jam Ramp Fabricated by Local Buena High School Students
Skate Jam ramp will transform into community art piece once X Games have ended. VENTURA, CA, May 22, 2024– In an exciting collaboration with Visit Ventura, students from Buena High School are building a skate ramp for the Ventura Skate Jam, a free all-ages community event to celebrate X Games Ventura on Thursday, June 27, 2024. This ramp, commissioned by Visit Ventura, designed by Buena High School’s Cabinet Millwork Technologies Capstone class and painted by Buena Art students, will later transform into a community art display after the X Games. “Working with local student talent to help celebrate the X...
Mar 14 2024Visit Ventura Honored with Visit California Poppy Award for Best Strategic Partnership
Ventura, Calif. (March 14, 2024) – Visit Ventura is extremely proud to announce that it was selected as the winner...
Feb 21 2024Visit Ventura Honored With Platinum, President, Gold, and Silver HSMAI Adrian Awards
Ventura, Calif. (February 21, 2024) – Visit Ventura was recently honored for travel marketing excellence by Hospitality Sales & Marketing...
Jan 29 2024An Epic Return: Visit Ventura Announces X Games Ventura 2024
January 26, 2024 (Ventura, Calif.) — Visit Ventura announced today in partnership with X Games, the leading action sports content...
Jan 17 2024Visit Ventura Announces New 2024 Inspiration Guide
January 17, 2023 (Ventura, Calif.) — Visit Ventura is proud to announce the release of the new 2024 Ventura Inspiration...
Dec 28 2023Double Distinction: Visit Ventura Receives Innovation Award and President & CEO Surprised with Hometown Hero Award at 2023 Ventura Chamber of Commerce Poinsettia Awards
December 15, 2023 (Ventura, Calif.) — Visit Ventura was honored to receive the Innovation Award at this year’s Ventura Chamber...
Oct 06 2023City Nation Place Awards Announces Visit Ventura as a Finalist for
Place Brand of the Year Visit Ventura is the only USA finalist in this category, recognizing its leadership in hosting the X Games 2023 in Ventura October 6, 2023 (Ventura, Calif.) — Visit Ventura is proud to announce it is a finalist for the Place Brand of the Year category of the City Nation Place Awards 2023 for the organization’s involvement and leadership in hosting the X Games 2023 in Ventura. Visit Ventura is the only USA finalist in this category. The City Nation Place Awards celebrate and benchmark the very best in strategic and effective thinking for place branding...
Oct 06 2023Visit Ventura Receives the Key to the City for X Games Success
President and CEO Marlyss Auster accepted the Key to the City from Mayor Joe Schroeder for Visit Ventura’s leadership in...
Jun 28 2023Local Ventura Businesses Celebrate X Games California with Specialty Events, Signature Cocktails, Community Cleanup
For Immediate Release: June 28, 2023 (Ventura, Calif.) — X Games and Visit Ventura announce the community engagement and outreach...
Jun 28 2023A Partnership for Sustainability: Visit Ventura Partners with Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, X Games, Ventura County Coast to Provide Easy and Convenient Transportation to X Games California 2023 Finals Weekend
For immediate release: June 26, 2023 (Ventura, Calif.) — Debut of Pacific Surfliner Train Wrap to Feature X Games Athletes, Special Promotions, and Local Ventura Special Release X Games-Inspired Brews On Board Train Visit Ventura announced today that a long-term relationship with the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (who manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner) has culminated...
Jun 28 2023X Games California 2023 Lands in Ventura
For Immediate Release May 3, 2023 (Ventura, Calif.) — Visit Ventura announced today that in partnership with the City, Ventura...
Jun 26 2023Vert Alert: X Games and Amtrak Partner for Larger-Than-Life Promo
First-time partners X Games and Amtrak are launching a sustainably-minded collaboration that aims to take cars off the traffic-choked roads of Southern California and deliver fans by rail to the upcoming three-day sports event. As part of the deal, Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains that run between the Central Coast and San Diego will be wrapped...
Jul 19 2022This Amtrak Train Route Offers a Perfect Coastal California Trip — With Ocean Views Nearly the Whole Way
Surfing is a large part of Ventura culture, but this relaxed seaside city also offers ample activities beyond the waves. Visit...
Jun 17 2022Best Southern California Staycation Ideas for Locals
Ventura: The Beach Town for Locals Via Tableau Digital Read more here. (the story starts on page 28 of the...
Jun 07 202211 Fun Things to do in Ventura California
The charming town of Ventura is unlike any other destination on the Central Coast of California. The classic beach town...
May 12 20223 New Places to Visit in Ventura, California
Head to Ventura for a beach-lover’s paradise full of sun, sand and surf. Even if you’re not frolicking in the...
May 06 202220 ‘Secret’ Spots Along California’s Pacific Coast Highway
California’s iconic Highway 1 has many natural and historic attractions along the Central Coast, famous for its beaches and migrating...
May 05 2022Cool Things to do for Southern Californians. Part 19 – Ventura County
Ventura County is on the map for visitors to the Reagan Library in Simi, but many Southern Californians would be...
Mar 10 2022Ventura is more than a surf town. Here’s how to experience it.
Good morning, fellow Escapists. Last week, we ventured up the winding mountain roads of California 33 to Ojai in pursuit...
Feb 23 2022Cool Things to do for Southern Californians 19: Ventura County
Ventura County is on the map for visitors to the Reagan Library in Simi, but many Southern Californians would be...
Jan 31 202220 Secret Spots Along California’s Pacific Coast Highway
California’s iconic Highway 1 has many natural and historic attractions along the Central Coast, famous for its beaches and migrating...
Jan 28 2022What’s Old and Still Going Strong
There’s a saying that certain things get better with age – which is certainly true for the entire state of...
Jan 18 2022California’s Most Beautiful Parks Are Also The State’s Least Visited
California is home to more National Parks than any other state—but many are more hidden than you might guess. The...
Jan 10 2022Ranked: California’s most stunning small cities and towns
Ventura, Ventura County All life revolves around the beach in this laid-back surf town along California’s Central Coast. The broad...
Jan 07 2022From Coronado to Alcatraz: Your guide to California’s coastal islands
Not many visitors think of California as an island destination, but there are actually more than 500 islands within the...
Nov 30 2021Ventura California
This six page feature article appeared in Japan’s Safari Magazine. It was written by Yoko Fujimoto and published on November...
Nov 24 2021The Oft-Forgotten Channel Islands Are Cooler Than You Imagine
It is a cliché-evoking, warm Southern California day, and I am precariously perched in a kayak off the coast of...
Oct 22 2021Channel Islands Whale Watch Cruise With Island Packers
Not many things can get me out of bed early in the morning and be ready to leave my house...
Sep 24 2021National Parks Near Orange County: Channel Islands
After being cooped up for months, it seems everyone had the same idea this summer: get in the car and...
Sep 20 2021Unique California Surfing Vacations
California’s surfing habit has grown to be more than just a hobby. On August 20, 2018, surfing became the official...
Sep 07 20216 Best Weekend Trips from Los Angeles
Sandwiched between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Ventura doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. But despite what the seaside...
Aug 24 20212,100 Acres. Harmon Canyon Preserve
Before the fog burns away, Shelly is gone. Antes de que la niebla se disipe, Shelly se ha ido… Via...
Jul 09 2021The Ultimate Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide
While cutting lazy circles in the teal waters near Channel Islands National Park’s Scorpion Anchorage during my second-ever sea-kayaking experience, I...
Jul 09 2021The 12 best secret beaches in the USA
Nothing beats a quiet day spent at the beach. Especially if you can find a stretch of silky sand that...
Jun 29 2021The Ultimate Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide
While cutting lazy circles in the teal waters near Channel Islands National Park’s Scorpion Anchorage during my second-ever sea-kayaking...
Jun 16 2021Central Coast, Channel Islands Make for Fun Road Trip
Scratch your travel itch by exploring California. What could be easier than hopping into your car for a road trip...
Jun 08 2021The 8 Best Easy Southern California Hikes With Great Ocean Views
Southern California beach walks are nice, but sometimes you want something more than sand squishing between your toes. Lace up...
May 28 2021SoCal Explorer Partner Destination Feature: Ventura
Ventura, formally named “San Buenaventura,” was founded in 1782 when Saint Junipero Serra established Mission San Buenaventura as the ninth...
May 12 2021Escape to Los Angeles: 5 Fun Things to do in Southern California
I first visited California as a high-schooler on a college scouting trip with my mom. After several days in the...
Apr 22 2021Mustang Mach-E Is A Road Trip Ready EV
Electric Vehicles have been something I’ve been enamored with for the past several years. Ever since I got my first...
Apr 22 2021Eating And Drinking Our Way Through Ventura
Ventura California is one of those iconic Southern California “surf towns” that you probably have heard of from classic rock...
Jan 11 2021California Coastal Spotlight: Incredible Things to do in Ventura
Nestled between the mighty Ventura River and the Santa Clara River Valley, near the base of the majestic Mount Pinos,...
Dec 16 2020Cruise Along These Holiday Lights Drive-Throughs Across the U.S.
Drive-thru holiday lights are all the rage – here’s one close to you! As the current pandemic is changing how...
Dec 02 2020Visit Ventura Creates “Shop Ventura, Save Ventura”
The hard truth? Recent forecasts predict one in six Ventura retailers, and one out of two Ventura restaurants, won’t make...
Dec 01 202012 Drive-Thru Holiday Experiences in California
In a year when curbside pickup has become a way of life, the holiday season is offering up a festive...
Dec 01 20208 Must Sees On California’s Highway One
If there’s ever been a time for a good old road trip to shine, it’s 2020. Whether it be travel...
Nov 25 2020The Six Best Pedestrian Promenades to Visit Across California
As small businesses across the globe suffer from the economic impact of quarantine, municipal and state governments have been searching...
Nov 23 2020Driving People Back to Live Events
Vincenzo Giammanco had a problem. His company, CBF Productions, almost went to full stop immediately after the Coronavirus shutdown in...
Nov 19 20206 U.S. Scuba Diving Trips Worth Planning a Trip Around
One way to tune out all of the noise of this year is to escape into the water—we’re talking deep...
Nov 02 2020Regions Tourism Industry Continues Slow Comeback
The tumultuousness of 2020 makes it hard for the tourism industry to make long-term plans. In Santa Barbara County, the...
Oct 05 2020The Island Less Visited
Unless you’re a National Parks lover or live in Southern California odds are you have not heard of the Channel...
Sep 01 202011 Under the Radar National Parks
The US has 59 national parks, but you’d never know it given that a chosen few reside in the eternal...
Aug 28 2020Tourism begins long, slow road to recovery
Tourism is down but not out in the region, as businesses and tourism promotion agencies pivot to teaching visitors how...
Aug 27 2020Concerts In Your Car Combines Road Trip Plus Socially-Distanced Entertainment
If the US travel industry has an equal in 2020’s coronavirus-fueled race to the bottom, it’s live entertainment. While hotels,...
Aug 24 2020The Libations of Ventura County
This classic California beach destination has a creative craft beverage culture to match its picturesque location. Ventura, California destination expert...
Aug 20 2020The 15 Best Day Trips from Los Angeles
It’s easy to fill an itinerary for a Los Angeles vacation, even if you never venture outside the downtown-Hollywood-beach...
Aug 20 2020The Galapagos of North America Is a Marine Wonderland Hiding in Plain Sight
Known as “The Galapagos of North America,” Channel Islands National Park is home to nearly 150 endemic species that can...
Aug 15 2020Kick Back, Relax and Road Trip up California’s Central Coast
It’s a perfect pairing. The sizzle of Los Angeles and laid-back vibe of the Central Coast. Driving from L.A. north...
Aug 13 20207 Social Distanced Travel Events To Check Out This Summer
The $2-trillion dollar question: When can we travel again? There’s no clear answer. The Covid-19 curve needs to flatten then...
Aug 08 2020Know Before You Go: Channel Islands National Park
Five islands off the Southern California coast comprise one of America’s most undeveloped—and utterly magical—national parks. Visitors can choose to...
Aug 02 2020An insiders’ guide to U.S. national parks
Founded in 1916, the National Park System was famously referred to by Pulitzer Prize winner Wallace Stegner as “the best...
Aug 01 2020Amp Up Your August With These 8 Socially-Distanced Activities in LA
Tired of the same weekend activities? Switch it up and learn a new skill, listen to live music from your...
Aug 01 2020Art Outside the Gallery
There is no shortage of art galleries, museums, installations and studios in California. With many indoor museums closed, where can...
Aug 01 2020Third Eye Blind and other bands are playing parking lots to give heartsick fans their fix
Ventura, California (CNN)Stephan Jenkins, lead singer and songwriter of Third Eye Blind, felt jitters as he looked out at 700...
Jul 31 2020This tiny SoCal island, full of carnage and shrieking, should be your next day trip
On one of the smallest islands in California’s least-visited national park, my daughter, Grace, and I went in search of...
Jul 27 202010 Best Cities to Visit Without and Itinerary
While there’s a lot to be said for landing in a new destination with a mission to visit all the...
Jul 20 2020The Expansive Beaches of Ventura, California
Marlyss Auster calls this classic California beach community home. Rediscover America asked her about her go-to spots to relax and...
Jul 17 2020Tourism in a Pandemic. To Promote or not to promote?
Visit Ventura has stopped promoting Ventura as a place to travel—at least for now. “We’re not reaching out to travelers,”...
May 10 2020Iconic California Road Trip: San Francisco To Los Angeles
The best kind of road trip features great scenery, and the road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles on...
Sep 26 2019This Laid-Back Beach Town Has the Best Weather in the Country by Coastal Living
by Susan Hall Mahon In a world where there are endless ways to rank beach towns: the best ones to...
Sep 15 2019Vegan Ventura Vaca – Part 2 by Clairitage Press Blog
by Karen Dustman featured image by Heliconia Press – Paddle 365 images by Visit Ventura Ventura sites & sights: Our trip to Ventura, California was a fun “Vegan Vacay” – we dined our way through some fabulous restaurants! (For our vegan eatery itinerary, check out Part 1 of this story!) And of course, there are plenty of sights to see and things to do in Ventura, as well. Here are some of our favorites! San Buenaventura Mission and Church Museum: 211 E. Main Street. The Old Ventura Mission was the last of six missions personally founded by Franciscan Father...
Sep 15 2019Vegan Ventura Vaca – Part 1 by Clairitage Press Blog
by Karen Dustman images by Visit Ventura Ventura, California. It’s been called the “most under-rated beach town in America.”...
Aug 13 2019Uncovering Ventura’s Hidden Gems by the SoCal Scene
by Spectrum News Staff Featured image by Visit Ventura The SoCal Scene celebrates the art, food, music, and cultures of...
Aug 01 2019Top Surf Sites to Spend California Surfing Day
by Visit California Featured image by Jack Burleigh Surfing is an official lifestyle in California, with sunny vibes spanning...
Jul 11 2019The Local’s Travel Guide to Ventura, California
by AwayLands Brandon and I were both born and raised in Ventura, California – a surf town just North of Los Angeles. Despite its oceanside location, wedged between Santa Barbara and Malibu, Ventura has always been a lot sleepier, a lot less fancy, and lot more affordable than the rest of Coastal California – and even though I haven’t lived here since I was 17, it is home. While for so long we’ve been known for the Ventura County Fair, a couple of mentions in Beach Boys songs and that one level in Tony Hawk 2, non-locals coming up to...
May 22 2019Best Beach Bike Paths in Southern California
Originally appearing in Southern California Life Magazine – Inspiring the SoCal Explorer No matter where you are in Southern California,...
May 07 2019Road Trip: Six Days on California’s Central Coast by visitcalifornia.com
By Jené Shaw Join Bearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor and friends as they travel along the Pacific coast on an...
May 06 20194 Day Trips from Los Angeles
written by Bradley O’Neill from the Discoverer There’s no shortage of things to see and do, eat and drink in...
Apr 30 2019The Galapagos of California by theoutbound.com
by Kyle Frost Take Big Sur, wrap it around an island and then place some idyllic green countryside covered in...
Apr 24 2019Things to do in Ventura County Coast: Getaway Guide by anytots.com
Things to do in Ventura CA: Stroll, Shop, & Play at Ventura Harbor Village There are plenty of things to...
Apr 24 2019Cycling the Central Coast With Women Who Explore
Ambassador Kerri Jackson discovered unique small towns, cliffside bike trails, and dreamy sunsets while biking around three classic beach towns...
Apr 19 2019Bike Adventure Highlights With Professional Climber Matt Segal
The outdoors enthusiast shares highlights from his recent trip to Ventura, Santa Barbara, Mt. Baldy, and more by Jene Shaw...
Mar 21 20195 Haunted Spots to Visit in Ventura by Visit California
In the mood for something spooky? Check out these spirited locales suggested by ghost expert Richard Leonard Senate. by...
Dec 14 2018One Day, One Place: Ventura, California
Framed on one side by mountains and on the other by the Channel Islands, Ventura’s beachy setting along California’s Central...
Dec 05 2018VENTURA TO HOST AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S RACE START AND FINISH & MEN’S STAGE FIVE FINISH IN MAY 2019
VENTURA TO HOST AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S RACE START AND FINISH & MEN’S STAGE FIVE FINISH IN MAY 2019...
Nov 06 2018AR and VR Offer New Marketing Tactics within the Tourism Industry
Advancements in immersive technologies have made virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) increasingly accessible, allowing consumers to connect and...
Oct 30 2018Your Ultimate Guide to Southern California Craft Beer—By Train
Did you hear that Southern California has a lot of breweries? Did you hear it has a lot of traffic?...
Oct 10 2018Spotted in the news: Everything you need to know about visiting the Channel Islands
Southern California’s coast is so blessed by nature, yet so densely developed, that it’s only natural to imagine what...
Sep 19 2018Celebrate California’s first “Surfing Day” on September 20th
From Fort Point under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the virtually unparalleled Rincon Point in Ventura, from “Leo...
Sep 05 2018California’s Central Coast for Foodies
It’s all about being harborside in Ventura, California. Ventura Harbor Village has a mix of restaurants and activities, which makes...
Aug 30 20185 Reasons to Venture to Ventura
Look just beyond L.A. and discover a beachfront getaway without the big spend. With its abundance of affordable (and...
Aug 13 2018Spotted in the news: Secondary cities can be first-rate bargains
Ventura is a bargain destination compared with Santa Barbara, about 28 miles farther up the coast. In addition to...
Jul 21 201810 Day Itinerary – Best Places to Visit in Southern California (Beyond Disneyland)
Looking for tips on the best places to visit in Southern California? Are you ready for some SoCal adventure...
Jul 16 2018From the Sea to the Sky: Road Tripping California’s Central Coast
If you are looking for world class adventure on land *and* the sea, the Central Coast of California is hard...
Jul 16 201817 Amazing Things To Do In Ventura County California With Kids
Ventura County, California is about an hour north of LA and 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara. Be sure to...
Jul 12 2018Ventura Is Still a Beach Town in the Old-School SoCal Model
Ninety minutes north of L.A., Ventura is a lot like other Southern California beach towns used to be: relaxed and...
Jun 17 2018Ace Ventura: oysters, craft beer and wildlife in California’s most laid-back town
The San Buenaventura state beach is all but empty of sunbathers. The only bodies on display are the ones at...
May 25 2018The Beach Boys-Inspired Road Trip You Have To Take This Summer
Being a beach music pilgrim is a two-track pursuit: Check out the spots your heroes hail from, and pay homage...
May 22 20185 Things to do on the Ventura County Coast
Ventura County Coast is a beautiful coastal area located just north of Los Angeles. The area encompasses Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard...
Mar 29 2018Ventura, CA, so much more than a surf town
Walking along the paved path circling San Buenaventura State Park in Ventura CA, it wasn’t hard to spot the Jolly...