Epiphany: Chapter 9

The "Mission Hunt" (on August 4, 2011) continued after a brief stop at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (pictures from this adventure to come), where we stopped to visit the next Mission on El Camino Real (The King's Highway), Mission San Buenaventura, in Ventura California. The 9th of the 21 California Missions (also the final Mission founded by Father Junipero Serra) was founded March 31, 1782, and nicknamed "The Mission by the Sea". From the front steps, there is a clear view of the Pacific Ocean down the street, which lends itself as the why the Mission was nicknamed such.

Mission San Buenaventura is still an active parish in Ventura, CA.

When we arrived, the Mission tour was closed; however, we were able to walk the gardens and take pictures of the outside of the Mission itself. In the heart of the city, I found this Mission to be simply unique and beautiful from the outside. The gardens were well-manicured and the old town charm of historic Ventura gave me a feeling of nostalgia (nostalgia for what, I'm not sure, but I was nostalgic nonetheless). According to history, Mission San Buenaventura was intended to be the 3rd Mission, but due to lack of military support, it ended up being the 9th completed (http://www.sanbuenaventuramission.org/).

My favorite picture of Mission San Buenaventura, Mission #9 of 21 California Missions.

There is more history that I am unaware of, mostly in regards to the five Mission Bells - maybe we'll have to come back and tour this one in the future. I would say that the simplicity of this Mission and its coastal location caught my eye and attention.