For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2026 (Ventura, Calif.) — Visit Ventura is proud to announce the release of the new 2026 Ventura Inspiration Guide. Created to showcase the heart, soul, and spirit of the beachside community, the guide beckons visitors to come experience Ventura for themselves.
“We’re not like any other place, we’re eclectic, we’re fun, we’re energetic,” said Visit Ventura President & CEO Marlyss Auster at the Inspiration Guide Reveal Party hosted by Aloha Steakhouse on Wednesday. “These really are your stories, and we pride ourselves on that. It is for you, about you, done by us together collaboratively.”
This year’s cover art was designed and illustrated by Laura Greenan. Inspired by Ventura’s playful, rich, and oftentimes retro feel, the cover features a bold, 60s style that pays homage to Ventura’s spirit.
The guide was published in partnership with the Wanderlust Content Studio team, who have collaborated with Visit Ventura since 2017.
Local is always at the heart of the guide, but this year, the team leveled it up by featuring 21 local voices and favorites throughout the 81 glossy pages. Community members like Justin Lind, design engineer and deck designer at Powell-Peralta, and Alan Salazar, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians elder, not only add depth to the magazine but also help get to the heart of Ventura’s local story.
“The Visit Ventura Inspiration Guide is both an art and a resource guide for locals and visitors alike,” said Brian Pendleton, Visit Ventura Board Chair and General Manager of the Ventura Port District. “It beautifully captures the heart of Ventura—our businesses, attractions, culture, and the countless ways to experience our community’s coastal charm.”
Support through native advertising from local business owners and partners is a key part of the success of the Inspiration Guide. Funds raised by advertisements go directly towards printing the 45,000 copies that are distributed across not only the country, but the world.
“This guide is truly a labor of love that we send out into the world,” said Visit Ventura’s Visitor Center & Office Manager Michele Foster. She has taken over the helm of the annual project from beginning to the very end. “It is the creative, collaborative voice of our community coming together to say this place, our Ventura, is special, we love it and we think you will love it too.”
You can read the 2026 Visit Ventura Inspiration Guide here.
