Ventura Pier, Ventura, CA

Ventura Pier
was established in 1872

Ventura Pier (est. 1872) Originally built in 1872 by R.G Salisbury, the pier once served steamships and was a vital mode of transportation in and out of Ventura until 1936. With the advent of the pier and the visiting steamships, the areas rich and abundant produce could make it off to market. New settlers and their supplies also found it easier to boat in than to go over the mountains. The large warehouse used for holding goods was so large that it started being used for exhibits, which became the County Fair.

The Sespe Oil Company commissioned the World’s first oil tanker, the "W.L. Hardison in 1898 which started its service at this pier. This pier also unfortunately saw the 160 foot oil tanker become the first to catch fire and burn in a spectacular series of explosions on June 25, 1899. Tragedies such as the W.L. Hardison along with storm and fire damage to the Ventura Wharf/Pier have been familiar to the pier.
In 1874 the schooner Lucy Ann went aground in swells near the pier. In 1876 two steamships the Kalorama and the Crimea were driven ashore during a spring storm. In 1914 large storm swells caused the S.S. Coos Bay to sever the pier in half and then forced the S.S. Coos Bay onto the beach and pounded it to pieces. When an oil barge cast off the last line from the wharf in 1936, an area of 64 years of the structure's service to the community came to an end and it took on its new role as a RECREATIONAL PIER that we enjoy today.

The Pier upgrades happened in 1993 when the pier underwent an ambitious $3.5 million restoration effort. It went through another $2.2 million upgrade - steel reinforced pilings and the square deck at the end in 1998. Individuals and businesses can obtain a plank "Grant Deed" for donations to the pier (starting at $1,000.00). These donations go to keep the $1 million endowment fund to maintain, enhance and preserve the pier via the Ventura County "Pier Into The Future" organization.

Todays Events

Ventura Map

CommunityWalk Map - Marina Park

Ventura County Calendar

Marina Park

With over fifteen-acres there is plenty of room to explore the warm sand dunes, kayak, or just find a quiet place sit and read under the tree at the southern edge of the park. Located across from the Ventura Harbor, Marina Park has stunning views of the Channel Islands, mountains, Ventura Pier and Ventura harbor. The Ventura Pier is located west of the park and can easily be seen from the nearby sand dunes.

While windsurfers slice across the ocean, vibrant sailboats head out towards the Channel Islands National Park, and children climb aboard the San Salvador. The San Salvador is a replica of the 105-foot, two masted schooner “San Buenaventura” which carried lumber and goods from Washington and Oregon to Ventura until it was lost at sea during a storm off Point George, Oregon in 1910.

Sailing and kayaking lessons are offered by the City of Ventura (with advance reservations) and beach cruiser bike rentals are offered nearby. Individual picnic/barbecue facilities, sand volleyball court, a hand-launch boat dock, children’s play area with a unique view of the channel islands, and public restrooms can also be found at the park.

Historically, the coastline just west of the pier was a popular launching and landing site for the native Chumash Indians' plank canoes called "tomols". It was at the nearby village of Shisholop, meaning "in the mud", that Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first encountered California Native Americans living there in 1542. Shisholop was settled about 1,000 A.D.

CommunityWalk Map - Marina Park