Living in Ventura, California

Ventura sits on the Southern California coast, between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. It’s a true beach town, casual and unpolished in the best possible way. Locals love that Ventura has stayed grounded while coastal cities around it have gotten expensive and glossy. The harbor, the historic downtown, and the consistent ocean breeze all give the city an easygoing, lived-in feel.

People move here to be close to the beach without giving up space or affordability. Compared to Santa Barbara or Malibu, Ventura offers a more attainable path to coastal living. Live music, surfing culture, indie shops, and a growing food scene shape the downtown vibe. Ventura has all the perks of a beach town without feeling like a resort community.

It’s one of those places where you can surf before work and still make a meeting in LA if you need to.

Ventura lives outdoors. Surfing before school or work is daily for many. You’ll see wetsuits hanging over fences across the city. The Ventura Pier and promenade are always active, with walkers, bikers, runners, and dog people all sharing the same space. Downtown is compact and easy to explore. It's filled with record stores, bookstores, casual breweries, and independent restaurants.

The arts scene reflects Ventura’s scale, not flashy, but creative and real. The city’s cultural backbone comes from community organizations like Bell Arts Factory, small galleries near the mission, and the energetic local music scene.

Ventura also has more hiking and open space than most coastal cities. Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura Botanical Gardens, and nearby trails in Ojai give outdoor lovers endless options. Weekends often mean swapping the coast for the mountains or a short drive north to wine country.

Want to feel like a local fast? Spend a Saturday at the Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market, then walk to the pier for sunset.

We highly recommend visiting Ventura and staying in the community at a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our [partnership with Expedia](https://expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ).

Ventura absorbs part of the Southern California economy without the intensity of Los Angeles. Many residents work in:

• Healthcare (Ventura County Medical Center + Community Memorial Hospital)
• Public sector and education
• Remote creative or tech roles
• Outdoor/gear companies in Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo

Remote workers thrive here because Ventura offers coastal living without LA commutes. Coworking spaces like [Workzones](https://workzones.com/santa-barbara-co-working/) (in Santa Barbara) or [**Coastal Coworking](https://www.coastalcoworkingvta.com/)** in Ventura give options if working from home doesn’t fit your rhythm.

The presence of nearby Port Hueneme and the Naval Base Ventura County adds stability to the economy and brings diversity to the population.