Background

Ortega Adobe: A Glimpse into Ventura's Past

Step back in time at Ventura's Ortega Adobe, the city's only surviving mid-19th century middle-class home and birthplace of Ortega Chili.

4.2

The Ortega Adobe, built in 1857, stands as a testament to Ventura's early days. Once home to the Ortega family and the birthplace of the Ortega Chili Company, this historic landmark offers a peek into mid-19th century California life.

A brief summary to Ortega Adobe

Local tips

  • Check the City of Ventura website for the most up-to-date opening hours before your visit.
  • Allow ample time to explore the site and learn about the history of the Ortega family.
  • Combine your visit to the Ortega Adobe with other nearby historical sites in Ventura, such as the Mission San Buenaventura.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Walking

    The Ortega Adobe is located on Main Street in downtown Ventura, making it easily accessible on foot from many points in the city center. From the Ventura Visitor Center at 101 S California Street, walk west on Main Street for approximately 0.2 miles. The Adobe will be on your left. There are several free and paid parking lots downtown. Paid parking on Main Street costs $1 per hour.

  • Public Transport

    Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) provides bus service in Ventura. Several routes stop near the Ortega Adobe on Main Street. Check the GCTD website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and route information. The fare is $2 for adults. Youth 18 and under can ride for free.

Unlock the Best of Ortega Adobe

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Ortega Adobe

The Ortega Adobe, located on Main Street in Ventura, California, is a preserved piece of history that provides visitors with a glimpse into the past. Built in 1857 by Emigdio Ortega, it stands as the city's only remaining example of a middle-class home from the late 1800s. The adobe was constructed on land that was once owned by the Mission San Buenaventura. The building showcases the architectural style of smaller adobe homes that once lined Main Street. For over 40 years, the Ortega Adobe served as the home for Emigdio Ortega and his family, including his wife Maria Conception Jacinta Dominguez Ortega, with whom he had 13 children. In 1866, a flood swept away one of the rooms on the west end of the adobe, after which two new rooms were added. Later, Emilio Carlos Ortega, one of Emigdio's sons, started the Ortega Chili Company in the adobe, marking one of California's first commercial food operations. The Ortega family sold the property in the early 1900s, and it passed through several hands before being acquired by the City of Ventura in 1921. Over the years, it has served as a boarding house, restaurant, office building, and meeting place. Saved from demolition by volunteers, the adobe was restored in the 1970s and designated as City of Ventura's Historic Landmark No. 2 in 1974. Today, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the three rooms on display, furnished as a kitchen, bedroom, and living room, and learn about the history of the building and the Ortega family through interpretive panels.

Popular Experiences near Ortega Adobe

Popular Hotels near Ortega Adobe

Select Currency