VenturaSan Buenaventura

The questions people ask first about Ventura, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetyVentura is a low-crime beach town and safe to walk downtown after dark.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–6
• Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main courseAdd 18–22% tip and sales tax.$20–35
• Street or quick mealBurrito or taco plate$12–18
• BeerDraught beer$7–10
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$15–22
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
• Museum or sight ticketMission San Buenaventura entrycheck$2–5
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
• High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$240

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

LAX Los Angeles International (About 110 km (68 mi) south on US 101; 1.5–2.5 h by car depending on traffic.) · SBA Santa Barbara Airport (About 45 min north on US 101; smaller and easier than LAX, fewer nonstops.) · OXR Oxnard Airport (Nearest field but no scheduled airline service; general aviation only.)LAX Los Angeles International (About 68 mi (110 km) south on US 101; 1.5–2.5 h by car depending on traffic.) · SBA Santa Barbara Airport (About 45 min north on US 101; smaller and easier than LAX, fewer nonstops.) · OXR Oxnard Airport (Nearest field but no scheduled airline service; general aviation only.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–140 excl. bed

Mid

$150–230 excl. bed

High

$250+ excl. bed

• US 101 jams northbound on Friday afternoons and southbound on Sunday evenings: add an hour if you drive to LAX.
• Coastal fog (May grey, June gloom) can hide the sun until midday in late spring and early summer.
• Channel Islands ferries sell out in summer and sailings are cancelled in high wind or swell: book ahead and keep a backup day.
• Beach water here is cold year-round (about 15–18 °C (59–64 °F)); rip currents are the real risk, not sharks.Beach water here is cold year-round (about 59–64 °F (15–18 °C)); rip currents are the real risk, not sharks.
• Prices are quoted before sales tax; restaurants expect 18–22% tip.