I hadn't been to the Mission in years. This year I went to the Madonnari Chalk Festival - what a…read moregorgeous time. My mom and I had the best of times! Art, Music, food and just sooooo much fun! I danced so much and got to meet many wonderful artists. I def will be back next year and make a whole weekend out of it. I live nearby but I think, next year I'll stay a few days in SB. My mom is already looking forward to it!

Mission Santa Barbara is a historic California landmark that also doubles as a museum. They even…read morehave actual mass in the mission, as well as Sunday service. It is a beautiful space filled with so much historic value. It was founded in 1786!! We got there around 3pm and purchased the Self Guided tour for $17 per person, which was a little high in my opinion. You walk through the museum and Mission grounds at your own pace and enjoy it on your own time. There are QR Codes that provide information to go along with your tour. We checked out the museum, garden, mausoleum, and even sat in the church for about 30 minutes just enjoying the beauty and peace. There is a gift shop you exit through that sells some lovely items such as shirts, sweaters, magnets, artwork, sculptures, candles and so much more. We bought a nice sweater with Santa Barbara written on it, a beautiful candle in a glass, and a small bookmark with a prayer symbol on it. They even have snacks/refreshments. They close at 5pm but sell their last ticket at 4pm. Parking is also free, which is always a plus. This was our third time here over the last 2 decades, and I'm not sure it's necessary to come back again. Once you've seen it, you've seen it.

Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in…read morethe night. I will go Lord, if you lead me... A beautiful parish. Had the pleasure to stop by for a daily Mass and if I was in the area I'd be here every day. The outside and inside of the parish is serene and peaceful. I didn't walk thru the garden area near the parking lot but seemed like a perfect place to sit and let God's peace be with you. Didn't have a chance to take photos as I was captivated by the beauty of the altar and stained glass windows. It also has one of my favorite sculptures of Michelangelo's Pieta. You can definitely find the Kerygma proclaimed here daily. If you're nearby, make this a stop for some prayer and worship. God bless

Sunday church this morning with the family . This is such a beautiful church . Easy parking . They…read moreoffered donuts after mass which was lovely .

Bethania is about love, community and of course Jesus. You can't have one without the other 2…read more Pastor Chris and everyone else are so welcoming. Definitely stop by on a Sunday if you are local or just visiting

Pastor Chris Brown is very welcoming. Not only does this…read morechurch building have historical significance - but it is a great place to worship with fellow Lutherans. We came for worship while staying in Solvang for the weekend. There is coffee and fellowship for all after worship.

We stumbled upon Mission Basilica San Buenaventura by chance and didn't even realize it was right…read morein downtown Ventura! Unfortunately, we didn't have time to see the whole place, but we did get to step inside the church, and it was absolutely beautiful -- peaceful, historic, and full of charm. We're definitely planning to come back to tour the entire mission next time. A lovely hidden gem in the heart of Ventura!

First time actually checking out VTA properly and had to make a stop at the Mission, which is…read moreprobably the most OG thing in the city. It is a bit whitewashed (real talk: The Chumash were not as happy as portrayed) but regardless, it is a part of California history, and I respect that. I visit cathedrals/churches/missions whenever I travel internationally (Mexico, China, and Italy already this year), and would place the historical significance of the Missions near the top of any global list. $8 at the door, and worth it, if for nothing else, the peacefulness and tranquility...

I can't say how grateful and happy we are to be part of this school. This place is truly a great…read moreschool. The Principal Mrs Morrow is outstanding, she really has a love for the Lord and a love for every kid there. The teachers from Preschool to 2nd (so far) have been absolutely lovely. They truly take interest in teaching the kids academically, but also responsibility, respect and faith which are all as important if not more so I believe. If you are curious, I would honestly suggest scheduling a visit. We toured several schools before deciding to go here, and I have to say that there was definitely something special about this place. My kids and myself have made some very sweet friendships and can honestly say are very blessed to be here.

Bethany Christian School is a unique and wonderful community. My daughter attends preschool there,…read moreand is thrilled to be there every day, and comes home talking excitedly about all she learned. The staff and teachers approach their job with a level of professionalism and organization that I didn't see at the other preschools I toured. It's very "buttoned-up", well-kept, and bright, and that all sets a tone that education is important. It's also a FUN place to learn. You couldn't ask for a better playground, and tables outside are set up with Brio blocks and various hands-on toys. The best part about Bethany is how the students are taught about God. The teachers there all care very much about communicating to students, in age-appropriate stories and concepts, about how much God loves them. My daughter's class, for instance, focuses on a different fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) each month. I like that this genuine desire for kids to know Jesus, seems to infuse every aspect of the day, rather than it feeling cheesy or obligatory. We live nearby, but I noticed in the student directory, there are families as far away as Oxnard and Malibu who drive out to Thousand Oaks to send their children to Bethany, and I can see why. What a warm, inviting, special place to get to be a student!

As a parent, I enrolled my child in this Christian school with the hope of finding a true…read morepartnership--one that would nurture both spiritual and academic development. Sadly, that hope has turned into deep disappointment and frustration. From the beginning, the administration frequently spoke about "partnering with families" and "supporting every child," but our experience revealed these to be nothing more than well-rehearsed talking points. When real concerns arise--particularly when it comes to your child's individual needs--you quickly find that your voice as a parent is dismissed. The Head of School and Principal may smile and nod, but in practice, they act as though they know your child better than you do and are unwilling to make any meaningful changes that could actually help. There is also a serious lack of consistency at this school. Teacher turnover is high, and it's hard for students to build any real stability with constantly changing staff. In fact, most families tend to leave after preschool or first grade, and that speaks volumes about the experience many have here. Rather than address these retention issues, the school seems more focused on maintaining strong ties with families who are heavy donors--families who often seem to get preferential treatment and can pay their way into getting what they want. To make matters worse, the school appears more concerned with building a new gym than fixing the areas that truly need attention. Classrooms, curriculum, and student resources are outdated or lacking, yet fundraising efforts are aggressively geared toward facilities and image. It's hard to watch tuition dollars and donations go toward expansion projects while core needs are neglected. What made this situation even more infuriating was the transition to a new school. Once we left, we realized just how far behind our child was academically. After being assured for years that this school offered a higher standard of education, we were devastated to find out that was far from the truth. It felt like everything we had invested--financially and emotionally--was for nothing. Many and I mean many families when leaving Hillcrest will home school or go to another school and the first thing they say is I should've done it sooner!! This school promotes a beautiful mission on paper, but in practice, it falls far short. Unless you're part of the "inner circle" or a major donor, true partnership and support are unlikely.

Our daughter began attending Hillcrest in 9th grade. She has flourished with the love of Jesus…read moreChrist evident in the teachers, staff, and fellow students. The small class size and exceptional teachers help each child to thrive. Our family is grateful to be a part of Hillcrest Christian School.

A Warning to Parents: Our Traumatizing Experience at PVCS…read more As an associate marriage and family therapist, I never thought I would encounter such a neglectful and dismissive environment in a school setting -- especially one that claims to operate under Christian values. For several months, my daughter was subjected to repeated physical and emotional harm by another student in her class. She came home with glue in her hair, sand in her mouth, and bruises on her body. Despite numerous attempts to alert her teachers and administrators, including Mrs. Wilson -- the school's principal -- no meaningful action was taken to protect my child or address the behavior. When I attempted to speak calmly with the parent of the other child, I was dismissed and deflected. I approached the teachers, including a daycare staff member whose training and experience appeared insufficient for the role, and received minimal acknowledgment. At no point did I demand the child be expelled -- I asked only for accountability and protection. Instead, my concerns were reframed and misrepresented by the administration. I ultimately made the decision to withdraw my daughter, and she is now thriving in public school. She no longer returns home in tears or covered in bruises. She is safe, learning, and happy. In my professional opinion, the school failed in its duty of care. It seemed more concerned with image management than the well-being of its students. There was also a troubling pattern of older children -- including a second-grade boy who repeatedly displayed aggressive behavior -- being allowed unsupervised or inadequately supervised access to younger students, including kindergarteners. These decisions put many children at risk. Several other parents I know made the difficult decision to remove their children as well. We were all met with the same pattern: avoidance, minimization, and spiritual language used to deflect responsibility. It pains me to write this about a religious institution. But in my experience, it is precisely behind religious language and rhetoric that some of the most egregious forms of gaslighting and inaction are allowed to persist. If you are a parent considering this school, I urge you to ask direct questions about their conflict resolution processes, staff qualifications, and discipline procedures. Make sure your child's safety is prioritized -- not just spoken about, but truly upheld.

Terrible food. The school has you pay for food and constantly has to make budget cuts. The teachers…read moreare very sexist and like the girls more than the boys. Even though I am Christian I see them force the students to and if they are not christian than the teachers will make you feel guilty. Just not a good school. I prevously went there and the staff there would spread rumors about me being a bad kid even though I was pretty nice. What did I do to deserve this life at the terrible school. Its not a school more like a Prison.

JeanieC Charcuterie | Featured at Santa Barbara Weddings' Whimsical Spring Showcase…read more We had a wonderful experience hosting our grazing table display at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church for Santa Barbara Weddings' Whimsical Spring showcase. The event staff were incredibly helpful and attentive to our needs from start to finish. The kitchen facility exceeded our expectations--beautifully maintained, well-stocked, and spotlessly clean. Creating our Whimsical Spring forward grazing table in such a well-designed space was a true pleasure. If you're planning a wedding or social celebration, we highly recommend Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church. The venue, facilities, and warm, supportive team make it an ideal choice for your special event.

I had the pleasure of attending an event recently here and it is such a unique space! It has…read moreseveral different areas that can be used and tailored to the type of event you are planning. The larger indoor area would work well for a reception, and even a wedding, although one of my absolute favorite parts of this venue is the gorgeous little zen garden, which would be my ideal spot for a ceremony. It's just a short walk down the hill and you're rewarded with a peaceful little oasis. Such a cool venue, had no idea it was there and hope to be able to be back to enjoy the venue again one day!

Rated year after year by Ventura county parents as the worst private school in Southern California…read more 1. Constant staff turnover - Currently the principal, treasurer, and athletic director tenured their resignations for the end of the school year and there are no replacements lined up to fill the vacancies. The teacher lined up to be the new science instructor decided not to take the job so a volunteer parent will continue teaching the class for the third year. This is par for the course since the soccer, baseball, and track teams are all coached by parents and not the athletic director. 2. The school only hires Adventist teachers so even if the most qualified candidate is a devout Christian they are barred from working at the school because they are not of the Adventist faith. 3. The state of the building is in disrepair. Ventura County Health Dept reports show constant rodent and feces infestations. (I have linked the health inspection reports below) Even worse is the staff housing located directly behind Home Depot. The homes are in such poor condition the health department was forced to perform a surprise inspection last summer due to an open sewer running out of one of the homes carrying urine and feces into the front yard. If you are considering the Academy I encourage you to tour the staff housing behind Home Depot. 4. The school is often used as a "dumping ground" for troubled students expelled from other public and private schools. In 2026, a student called in violent threats against staff and students necessitating police intervention. Below is the e-mail to parents from the principal about the threat. "Dear NPAA Families, I learned early this morning that several parents have heard via police scanner about a student who has threatened NPAA's physical plant. This threat therefore involves student and staff safety. Of course, this incident is alarming, and their concern is understandable. However, since rumors fly quickly -- and change in shape and detail and intensity as they travel -- I want to inform the NPAA community what is happening so as to prevent the rumors from worsening. First of all, and most important for the safety of students and staff, I asked the student's parents to keep their student at home until further notice. They have agreed to do so, starting today. In the mean time, I have stayed in touch with local law enforcement. Yesterday afternoon I sat with deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. I have a case number that I can use to update authorities on developments. NPAA administration have notified the school's governing body, the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, of these developments, and we are in constant contact with officials there. Again, the student's family will keep the student home until further notice. The family will continue their work with a team of professionals who follow the student's progress daily. If you have any questions, you may reply to this email. Yours sincerely, Joel Albritton ('88) Principal / English 12 " All items mentioned above are accurate and can be verified by the school itself. Ventura County Health Inspection Reports 2026 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pGY6FBEOyCkZ2JsMnbrbGFHeMP_Zcz4I?usp=sharing

Our son has been attending this high school for two years and we can't say enough great things…read moreabout Newbury Park Adventist Academy. If you looking for a school where you child can be a big fish in a little pond then look no further. There are approximately 35 kids in each grade. Excellent individual attention in a Christian environment. Kids are kind and accepting and lift each other up. Teachers are available everyday after school to work with the kids and to ensure their success. We could have been happier to discover this great gem in Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks.