Museums of Ventura County
and other useful museum links

(All telephone numbers listed below are in the 805 area code, and admission fees and other information is subject to change.)

City of Ventura  
Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau  
Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau
California Association of Museums
American Association of Museums

Albinger Archaeological Museum, 113 East Main Street, Ventura, 648-5823. The only archaeological museum in California, the Albinger tells the archaeological story of the Mission. An earth oven and the original mission foundation are exhibited outdoors. Wednesday-Sunday 10-2 (Memorial Day to Labor Day 10-4), free.

Aviation Museum of Santa Paula, Santa Paula Airport, 830 E. Santa Maria St., Santa Paula, 525-1109. Antique, classic, experimental planes, autos, race cars, motorcycles, radios, artifacts, and much more in a "chain of hangars." Open 1st Sunday of each month, 10-3.

Bard Mansion, Naval Base Ventura County (Off Ventura Road at the Bard Gate), Port Hueneme, 982-2757.
Restored home of Ventura County pioneer Thomas R. Bard. Docent led tours 2-4 p.m. Fridays, by appointment.

California Oil Museum, 1001 East Main Street, Santa Paula, 933-0076. The Museum is housed in a beautiful restored Queen Anne Italianate-style building, an exhibit itself, built in 1890 by the Union Oil Company. Inside, visitors will find models, games, photographs, and traditional exhibits relating to oil explorations, particularly in the local area. Art and history exhibits are also provided. Thursday-Sunday 10-4, free.

Adolfo Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo, 389-8182. Recently restored 1892 Adolfo Camarillo home, barn, stables, and gardens. Call for tour information.

Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C Street, Oxnard, 385-8157. Art, photography and decorative arts by international and regional artists are exhibited in a beautiful Neo-Classical building built in downtown Oxnard as a Carnegie Library in 1906. Thursday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5, admission $3, $2 for seniors and students, children 16 and under $1.

CEC and Seabee Museum, Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, 982-5170. Exhibits feature memorabilia from the Navy's Seabees and its Civil Engineering Corps. Models showing uniforms, military settings including weapons and battle scenes, as well as arts and crafts. Monday-Friday 8-4-30, Saturday 9-4:30, Sunday 12:30-4:30, free.

Channel Island National Park Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura Harbor (west of Harbor Boulevard on Olivas Park Drive/Spinnaker Drive), 658-5730. Exhibits of natural history pertaining to the eight islands in the Channel Islands chain and an indoor tide pool. Call for information about park ranger presentations. Weekdays 8-5, weekends 8-5:30, no admission charge.

Dudley House Museum, Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets, Ventura, 642-3345. Living history museum reflecting the life of the Dudley family and the Ventura farming community from 1892-1925. Open 1st Sunday of each month from 1-4 p.m.

Fillmore Historical Museum and Park, 350 Main Street, Fillmore, 524-0948. In an 1887 Southern Pacific depot building, Sespe bunkhouse #2 and a 1905 Craftsman bungalow home, the exhibits include Pioneer memorabilia and changing displays. Wednesday-Friday 9-Noon (Call for weekend hours), contributions accepted. 

Fillmore & Western Railway Company, 351 Santa Clara (next to Fillmore City Hall), 524-2546 or 1 (800) 773-TRAIN. Ventura County's moving museums, the trains out of Fillmore travel the "Heritage Valley's" rails from Piru to Fillmore to Santa Paula. Call for schedules and fees.

Gull Wings Children's Museum, 418 West Fourth Street (also 4th and C Streets), Oxnard, 483-3005. Children will enjoy many interactive hands-on exhibits and activities. Wednesday-Saturday 1-5, Saturday 1-5, Admission $3, 2-12 $2.

Heritage Square, 715 South A Street, Oxnard, 483-7960. Eleven restored turn-of-the-century mansions and farmhouses; summer concerts, weddings, and live theater. Tours every Saturday from 10-2. Call for information.

Oakbrook Chumash Interpretive Center, 3290 Lang Ranch Parkway, Thousand Oaks, 492-8076. Exhibits of Chumash culture and history; wildlife programs. Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5, suggested donation: $3 adult; $2 child, student with I. D., and senior citizen.

The Ojai Valley Museum, 130 West Ojai Avenue, Ojai, 640-1390. The museum is in a newly renovated "Mission Revival" style building (formerly St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel) in which the environmental, cultural, and historical exhibits of the Ojai Valley may be enjoyed. Wednesday-Sunday 1-4, admission $2, members and children free.

Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura, 644-4346. Built by Don Raymundo Olivas as the main house of Rancho San Miguel in 1849, this is a fine example of a two-story adobe of the California rancho period. Grounds open daily 10-4; house open Saturday and Sunday 10-4. Free.

Pleasant Valley Museum and Botanical Gardens, 720 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, 482-3660. Exhibits feature antiques, photographs and memorabilia from the greater Camarillo area; the garden contains more than 100 native California plants and trees. Saturday and Sunday 1-4, contributions accepted.

Port Hueneme Historical Museum, 220 N. Market St., Port Hueneme, 488-2023. Artifacts and exhibits related to the early history of Port Hueneme.

Rancho Camulos Museum, Highway 126, Piru, 521-1501. Original Mexican land-grant rancho. Call for tour information.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley,  1-800-410-8354. In a large Spanish Mission-style building, visitors will find a National archives Presidential Library record of Ronald Reagan's presidency. The museum features President Reagan's life and presidency through photographs, memorabilia, a replica of the Oval Office, a section of the Berlin Wall, and changing cultural exhibits. Daily 10-5, Adults $4, under 16 Free, 62 and over $2.

San Buenaventura Mission, 225 East Main Street, Ventura, 643-4318. Founded by Father Junipero Serra on March 31, 1782, this was ninth mission established in Alta (or Northern) California. The Mission Church was completed in 1809 and subsequently restored. A small museum exhibits Chumash Indian and early Mission artifacts. Monsignor Patrick O'Brien welcomes visitors to the active church (when services are not in progress) and to the courtyard that features a beautiful garden and a Spanish-style fountain. Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4, admission $1, under 16 $.50.

Scandinavian Cultural Center at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Rd., Thousand Oaks, 492-3089 or 495-7274. A special collection of Scandinavian books, artifacts and oral history tapes housed in the Pearson Library at CLU. Call for hours and appointments.

Skatelab Skateboarding Museum Park, 4226 Valley Fair St., Simi Valley, 578-0040. The world's only skateboarding museum. over 2,000 items on display showing the complete history of California's sport. Call for current information.

Stagecoach Museum Complex, 51 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park, 498-9441. The museum is a replica of a Monterey style inn, the 1876 Grand Union Hotel. The complex also includes a Chumash Indian village, an early California adobe, a pioneer house, and a few other buildings. Wednesday-Sunday 1-4, $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children.

Strathearn Historical Park and Museum, 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley, 526-6453. A journey through time is experienced in the 1883 Strathearn House, originally the Pico/De La Guerra Adobe; the Colony House and Library; barns and farm equipment; and the memorabilia of pioneer families. Saturday/Sunday 1-4, Wednesday 1 p.m. and by appointment, donation of $2 adults.

Ventura County Maritime Museum, 2731 South Victoria Avenue, Oxnard, 984-6260. An internationally renowned collection of maritime art and ship models dating from 1540 to the present and guest artist exhibits illustrate maritime history. Thursday-Monday 11-5, donations appreciated.

The Ventura County Museum of History & Art, 100 East Main Street, Ventura, 653-0323. The Museum was established in 1913. Exhibits include an award-winning interpretation of the history of the County, "Ventura County and the New West," changing art and history exhibits, George Stuart's world-renowned Historical Figures which portray the famous and infamous of world history, and an exhibit of horse-drawn agricultural implements. The home of the Ventura County Historical Society, the Museum houses a research library and an excellent Museum Store. Tuesday-Sunday 10-5, admission $4, free to children 5 years of age and under and Museum members.

World War II Aviation and Airliners of America Museum, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, 482-0064. Indoor displays and aircraft tours led by docents. Aircraft rides by appointment. Museum open Tues.-Sun. 10-4.

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