Bells Art Factory is one of Ventura's true gems. Located in a beautifully repurposed former…read moremattress factory, this nonprofit community arts center is deeply rooted in creativity, accessibility, and community care. The space is home to 30+ local artists working in painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and more. In addition to artist studios, Bells offers youth art classes, artist-led workshops, and cultural programming including Ballet Folklórico, Aztec Dance, and yoga (Monday-Friday) with a suggested donation, making wellness and movement accessible to everyone. I've personally attended donation-based sound baths and their Día de Muertos event, and both were thoughtfully organized, welcoming, and grounded in community and cultural respect. The value here is undeniable. You are getting high-quality programming, meaningful cultural experiences, and direct support of local artists and educators, all without high price barriers. Parking is available in a small lot on site, though spaces are limited. Street parking is also available in the surrounding neighborhood. They also host First Fridays, which are always a great way to experience the space, meet artists, and support local creativity. Everything here feels intentional and community-driven. If you're looking for an affordable, enriching space that truly invests back into the community, Bells Art Factory is absolutely worth visiting and donating to.

Checked out a free Zumba class tonight! I had a blast! It was only 45mins but I really got a…read moreworkout!! Lots of smiles and so much fun!!! I think they also offer free art classes. I had never been here before and I'm so happy my friend recommended this place. What an maxing community center. I was told there is a Day of the Dead event November 2,2023. Not sure if I will be able to make it but will try :)

Heads up to local seniors who may want to build up their aerobic fitness in the foothills above…read moreVentura Harbor with a perfectly maintained path, gentle rise, and fabulous scenery. For a $45/year membership you can train all year on a 2.5 mile loop through the plants native to Chili, South Africa, Mediterranean, Australia and CA with blooms that change through the seasons. There's no gym that can provide the meditative immersion in nature that the botanical garden gives you. The path's surface is amenable to walkers. There's only an outhouse -so that may be a problem. Coming from out of town? Got children? Perfect place to take them for breathtaking views of the harbor, fun exhibits (like the one on hummingbirds going on now) and a place to eat your bagged lunch. Kids under 18 free. Adults $7 without a membership.

Happy Earth Day to my fellow tree huggers. In honor of the occasion, I'd like to share one of my…read morerecent faves - a gem of a botanical garden that's hidden in the heart of downtown Ventura. When driving up the 101 from LA to the Bay Area, I love to make a pit stop in Ventura. It's the perfect place to stretch your legs out. And if you're looking for a little more to get your heart rate up, Ventura Botanical Gardens offers a lovely stroll-style hike to unwind from the one-hour-plus drive. The grounds are a mix of tiered levels, winding walkways, and lots of exotic plants. There are stretches of shaded areas, but SPF/hats are advised as it's still exposed to the seaside sun & haze. There are quotes carved in stones along the pathway that are nice to read. And when you get to the top, you get sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Time it right, and you can watch the sun dip into the sea. Admission is very reasonable. $7/person and FREE on Fridays. Feel free to bring your dog on a leash on Fridays too. I went on a random Tuesday and arrived at 9:15am, close to opening time. There was lots of free parking near the entrance. That's also where the cutest little gift shop greets all guests. Here, you'll find lots of charming gifts & knick-knacks & small plants to take home too. For those who prefer to lend a hand and yank out the Mustardweed to save the natives, then Tuesdays are a good volunteer day Note: The bathrooms take a little bit of patience. They're built on a septic tank system so just try to follow instructions if you see them posted. According to some intel, permanent bathrooms are in the city's near-future plans. Also note that they are CLOSED on Mondays. So take in all that natural beauty, breathe out all that stress. And make sure you've roamed the gardens enough to work up an appetite. Downtown Main Street is nearby and there's a strip of charming diners, cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops. For the true eco-conscious tree hugger, you'll find stores with handcrafted souvenirs, artisan plant trinkets, and even vintage/used books just about any day of the week. After all, every day is Earth Day, right?

I walked alongside the front of San Buenaventura City Hall recently. I enjoyed my visit. The…read morebuilding has beautiful architecture. There are some great landscape views from it. I would recommend taking precaution when venturing to or from the city hall on foot as there are some steep streets surrounding it.

This is a premier building in downtown Ventura, with Father Serra statue front and center in the…read moregardens below the building. Check out the friars' faces, all different, festooned below the roofline. This building is a classic, resisted being torn down in the 60s- if it is old tear it down and build a box- mentality. City offices are located inside, and strolling the lovely hallways is recommended. Parking is available in a side lot. Access to Grant Park above is via the narrow roadway on the left of the building. Even better, ample parking for the botanical garden trails is directly behind the building.

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...

Ending our weekend getaway, we took a stroll down Main Street in Downtown Ventura to do a little…read moreshopping. On a Sunday most stores open at 11am. So, it's best to grab brunch or visit nearby sites like Serra Cross or the Ventura Pier before you shop. There are free parking lots in the area, but by the time we headed over around 11:30 am, all the free spots were taken, so we used the metered parking which was pretty reasonable. Mission San Buenaventura is located on Main Street and offers services. The church is beautiful and Sunday service was very well attended. You'll also find many thrift and antique stores with reasonable prices. I loved that Main Street included a variety of stores and restaurants without including the cheesy and touristy gift shops. We had an enjoyable lunch at Immigrant Son caffe, purchased some sodas at a really cool candy store called Rocket Fizz and visited Very Ventura, a gift shop with a nice collection of Ventura related gifts. I purchased some stickers for my Yeti and a hat.

The weekend is a great time to visit DT Ventura. Main street is blocked off from…read moreVehicle traffic letting pedestrians and pets stroll through the shops and pop up vendors carefree. There is a small stage in the center of downtown with live music. We had a great time exploring the area. There are a lot of thrift stores and even more places to eat lol. There are multiple free public parking lots so it might be a little hunt for a spot but it's free all day. Great place to spend a day or evening.

A laid-back art gallery with lots of blowups of local photographs. Friendly staff, with a…read moreconstantly changing variety of art and reasonable prices compared to other upscale galleries. When walking Main Street, this is a pleasant place to wander in and check out the local art scene.

Great place to find unique & unusual pieces of art. There are some touristy items here. But it's…read moremostly about the art. Prices vary due to what you pick and the sizes you pick and framing. Staff are friendly and willing to give you advice and answer your questions. Very nice layout and displays.

I love this venue! It's a large and spacious venue and all of the staff are really nice! I've been…read moreto 2 different shows here now and each have been a great experience. Is this venue one of those fancy LA venues? No, but if you want that, go to LA! This place is a Ventura classic and has chill, laidback vibes, much like our city. Pro-tip: bring cash for the bar and enough to tip your bartenders! Bar is cash only, so avoid ATM fees by being prepared. Drink selection can be updated for an even better experience, but honestly have never had an issue having a good time here!

Ok music venue. It's not set up for a sit down stage show. Rows of folding chairs directly behind…read moreeach other and behind the sound board creates limited visibility. Sticky, dirty carpets but who cares when dirt has a history! Bathrooms are upstairs. Security was over the top. They searched my wallet!!! Is there a drug problem in Ventura? They allow vapes, not sure what banned substances they were looking for. They missed the taser in my sock and the pepper spray in my underwear...

We just happen to be driving to Ventura for the day and found parking right in front. While paying…read morefor parking the music they had playing drew my attention. It so happens the day we went it was free admission. We come to the area every now and then from the valley (near studio city ) but never really noticed this place. I enjoyed seeing different artists woks. They had some parts where you had to guess which image is Ai out of three pictures. It was fun trying to figure it out. I could see myself coming back again.

We have been coming to this museum in downtown for the last couple of years. We had recently…read moreenjoyed their free admission which was a lot of fun and my children looked forward to coming at least once a week. We came in today and found out that starting February 1st this museum won't be free anymore! But they have memberships and honestly they are super affordable and it helps keep the museum open for families here in Ventura and those who are visiting! They change their exhibits few months. It's fun to come and learn new things plus they have a beautiful garden where children have space to play and explore

Such a cool ace with live jazz, both with a cover in the main room and as general ambiance during…read morehappy hour. The drinks are fantastic and very reasonably priced. The bartenders were super and made me feel like a regular on my first visit and were just fantastic. If you haven't been yet and you like Jazz, you need to go. Like now. Just go. Also, good parking in the back!

Another great afternoon at The Grape- Great music and a good…read moretime every time I go-Thank you!