Mission guide

California Ventura Mission

A California mission guide rooted in Ventura’s coastal history, local culture, and English and Spanish traditions.

  • English
  • Spanish
Shop the shirts
California Ventura Mission Heart Map design

California Ventura Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

California Ventura Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

California Ventura Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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California Ventura Mission Heart Map shirt in White: California outline with a red heart, front view

California Ventura Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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California Ventura Mission Flag Map shirt in White: California state flag in the outline of California with navy lettering, front view

California Ventura Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in English on White: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Spanish on White: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Spanish

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Spanish, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Spanish

$29.00

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See every mission language →

About the mission

The California Ventura Mission is connected with Ventura, officially the City of San Buenaventura, on California’s coast. The city grew around Mission San Buenaventura, founded by Junípero Serra in 1782.

English and Spanish are the main languages listed for the mission. Spanish is part of Ventura’s name, history, and local heritage.

At a glance

Country
United States (California)
Main city
Ventura (110,763 people in 2020)
Time zone
Pacific Time (UTC−8 standard time)
Climate
Mediterranean, with temperatures moderated by Pacific sea breezes
Mission languages
English and Spanish
Church in California
725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations

A short history of the area

People, including the Chumash, have lived in the Ventura region for at least 10,000 to 12,000 years. The Spanish Portolà expedition made the first recorded European visit to inland California in 1769. Junípero Serra founded Mission San Buenaventura near a Chumash village in 1782.

Mexico’s secularization act in 1833 led to mission lands being sold or granted as ranchos. Ventura became a municipality on April 2, 1866. The city later grew through its pier, oil industry, and coastal trade. The Ventura Oil Field helped drive a major boom during the 1920s.

The Church here

  1. 1782Junípero Serra founded Mission San Buenaventura near a Chumash village.
  2. 1846Latter-day Saint immigrants first arrived in San Francisco.
  3. January 1847The Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego.
  4. January 1848Six Mormon Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered.
  5. 1850The Church’s colony of New Hope was founded in California.
  6. 1850California’s first Church building was completed.
  7. 1851Church leaders encouraged colonization in San Bernardino to strengthen a travel route from the coast for Utah-bound Saints.
  8. 1920sA California land boom attracted many members to the state.

Temples nearby

Los Angeles California Temple

Dedicated March 11, 1956 · About 60 miles from Ventura

Bakersfield California Temple

Announced · About 75 miles from Ventura

Yorba Linda California Temple

Dedicated June 7, 2026 · About 90 miles from Ventura

Newport Beach California Temple

Dedicated August 28, 2005 · About 90 miles from Ventura

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

English Read it free → Spanish Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

  • HolaHello
  • Buenos díasGood morning
  • ¿Cómo está?How are you?
  • GraciasThank you

Foods to try

  • Chili products associated with the Ortega family, who once lived in the Ortega Adobe
  • Seafood served at restaurants in Ventura Harbor
  • Acorns, historically traded by mainland Chumash communities
  • Deer meat, historically traded with the Channel Islands Chumash

Fun facts

  • Ventura Pier was built in 1872 for $45,000 and reached 1,700 feet by 1917.
  • The macOS Ventura operating system was named after the city and presented on June 6, 2022.
  • Ventura appears as “Skatestreet Ventura” in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, based on a real indoor skate park.

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