Hours: 
Mon - Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Major Holidays

Admission: 
Donation for the Museum and a self-guided tour is $1.00 for adults and 50 cents for children.

Originally planned to be the third mission in the California chain, San Buenaventura's founding was postponed for 12 years due to problems at other missions. 

Once established on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782, the mission became the ninth mission founded and was reputed to be Father Junipero Serra's favorite mission.  

In June of 1836 it was secularized and essentially pillaged, sold and its lands given away to local farmers.  It was returned to the church in 1862. It was "modernized" and then "restored" in 1957.  Parts were burned in fires and other parts were toppled by earthquakes.  Nearby Albinger Archaeological Museum even shows the original foundation of the very first rendition of the Mission.

It was truly the tenacity and dedication of Ventura residents over the last 200 years, who have rebuilt and restored this wonderful building, that have allowed it to be standing today to remind us of its amazing past.

Directions:

Northbound:  From the 101 take the California Street off-ramp.  At the top of the ramp go straight to Main Street.  Turn left.  The museum is four blocks and on the left.

Southbound:  From the 101 take the Main Street exit.  At the bottom of the ramp turn right and stay on Main Street until you reach the Museum on your right.