ventura city hall

KarenLeeREqueen

The City Hall building is a wonderful building on the outside with its array of heads and its grandiose style. But inside you can find art in the lobby and along the hallways both upstairs and downstairs. Fun place to wonder and it is always cool, even on a really hot day.If you go in the back and go up the elevator you get to the floor where Focus on the Masters resides and there you can see art photos of our most well known local artists.

991debbiec

Loved all the Spanish tile work and fantastic architecture! A real jem, over 100 years old and still amazing. The gardens surrounding it are so lovely to walk in.

ivordavisbeatlescom

Venturans are proud of City Hall. It's a throwback. and I first saw it in A Woody Allen film (could be "Take the Money and Run") in a memorable scene in which Howard Cosell did a running commentary as Woody Allen's character made love to his leading lady (it could have been Diane Keaton, but was probably the actress who was Woody's first wife.) As soon as I saw Ventura City Hall I decided to move to Ventura. Jack Nicholson likes City Hall. He shot "The Two Jakes" there.From time to time--every so reluctantly-- the City Council meets there but the building is unique and its worth going to a string quartet concert there. Or if you have a complaint that your water bill is excessive. It's definitely a must for anyone who likes old buildings. And as I said at the outset, any South American dictator would love to call the place home!

CarmichaelVentura

This is likely the most interesting building in Ventura. Once the County Courthouse and Jail, it is now the City Hall. There is a modern annex to the rear which thankfully is kept out of view. The most interesting aspect of the facade are the multiple blank faces which line it. They were designed so that their expressions change according to the way the sun strikes them. This is the only building in the world that features them.

gardener4313

On a hot day go inside and lean against the cool marble walls! Down a corridor to the left is an alcove with a beautifully carved statue of Father Sierra. Look high up on the column to the right of the statue and see the Chumash icon put there when the building was "blessed"

4AlanR

The architecture here is lovely. The facade is designed with a european influence, with the monk statues pay respect to the cities founders.

367tt

The view is spectacular like most people have noted. However, the building itself has a sordid past; such as Ma Duncan being the last person to be sentenced to death in the state of California. It is said that she haunts it still! Look at the super creepy relief sculpture's outside the building as if she is coming out of the plaster! The best thing about this place is that the restrooms are the best in town. So if you need a place to do some dooty do it here! They could absolutely improve it buy having some of the Chumash influence represented; instead of the dirt lot on Thompson where the current Chumash Memorial Park is. What they do have is a gargantuan bronze sculpture of a Catholic priest that supposedly "settled" the place. I checked out several of the memorials in Ventura it seemed more like exploitation of workers for industry nothing to celebrate. I don't believe I have ever noticed any Chumash artifacts at City Hall this does not fully represent the cities citizens or the true nature of Ventura.

396gaild

Its an amazing building with all its history. The art work, sculptures are great. The view from the front down California St. to the Ocean is unbelievable. A wonderful experience.

AlbanyProf

As we explored the bistros and interesting small shops in Ventura on foot, we were drawn to the City hall: an imposing "beaux-arts" style 1912 white structure, located above the shopping district on Poli Street. Twenty four faces of Fransiscan padres adorn the facade and murals and other artwork line the interior walls. The second floor City Council Chamber features three stained glass domes and lovely views of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. In front of the City Hall is bronze statue of Padre Junipero Serra.

Albizia

It is hard to explain how pretty this complex is. There's the excellent terra cotta exterior with monks heads all around, the exquisite marble thru out the interior, and the beautiful council chamber room. Out front is a wonderful sculpture of Fr. Serra and the whole thing looks out over the Pacific. It's free so take 30 minutes and check it out.

grammawa44

Wonderful, well kept building and grounds with information abounding. Wish all cities had the many activities found in Ventura

SusanT930

My friend and I spent July 4th visiting the Ventura City Hall and scouring the fun thrift stores and street vendors on Main Street. The City Hall is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. The beautiful marble and wood interior is something one does not see anymore in newer buildings. There is also a marvelous "huge" wood carving of Father Junipero Serra inside the building. We also spent time on Main Street Ventura. My friend and I live approximately 50 miles from Ventura and we took the Amtrak train that dropped us off at the Ventura Fair Grounds and we only had to walk 2 blocks to Main Street. We passed by interesting murals and fountains and old historic buildings. If you like history, then you would like this day trip.

MaxieD_13

That is what us hometown folks call our City Hall in a very affectionate manner. We love to look up the hill on California Street and see this great white edifice looking over our beautiful city! The architecture is fantastic inside and out so you will want to take a tour.If you get a chance to look into the City Council room, you will see a bit of literary history. Before it was City Hall, the Marble Mansion was the main court house and Erle Stanley Gardner use to practice law there before he became famous for writing Perry Mason books. You can tour his old office still if you just go two blocks down California Street to the Erle Stanley Gardner building.

ahessoniam

We visited this building for business purposes and loved walking around seeing all the beautiful marble and staircases. This is a grand building, very historic, and is located at the end of California street, right near the Mission. In the back of the building is the new Botanical gardens hiking train which traverses the hills behind main street and takes you up to several scenic lookout spots. Its a great hike.

katies165

This is a great place to wander around and make sure to take a walk down California street to Main Street to check out downtown.