Ventura is a city located in the southwestern part of the state of California. It is officially called San Buenaventura, and serves as the seat of Ventura County. It was officially incorporated in 1866 and serves as the service, retail trade, and manufacturing center for a region that's highly agricultural and oil-producing.

Ventura is famous as the best surfing beach in Southern California, the most popular being Surfer's Point at Ventura County Fairgrounds. Tourists also love downtown Ventura, where the Adobe home of the Ortega family is a popular sight, as well as the contrast between high-end boutiques and thrift stores. Downtown Ventura is also home to the Mission San Buenaventura, to several museums, as well as various galleries, and restaurants for fine dining.

Ventura's picturesque views lure Hollywood directors in filming some shots in the area. Motion pictures like Erin Brockovich (2000) and Swordfish (2001) featured scenes shot in Ventura. The city was home to novelist and lawyer Erle Stenley Gardner, the creator of brilliant investigator and lawyer Perry Mason.