This is a nicely restored adobe house from about 1848. The house is open for visitors on weekends and contains furniture and other objects belonging to the Olivas family, who owned a large rancho before California became part of the US. You can get some idea of how life was lived back then. The garden area is also nice.
I visited with my yr old niece's class and was impressed by the docents who worked very hard to educate. It's interesting to know how people lived back 150 years ago and the story of the family and owners of the adobe. Worth a visit.
They have great summer concerts, you can choose to have your food catered or you can take your own food and drink. It's a great opportunity to enjoy and great night out with your significant other.
The "Adobe" is located about a mile from the Ventura Marina along Olivas Park Drive. My club just held a function in the courtyard of the Adobe providing me my first opportunity to see the authentic Spanish Adobe, go through it's rooms and learn the interesting history of the Olivas family. Make sure to go when there are docents available -- the tour is about an hour. I think this is on the weekends.
History abound about the area and the house. You can only tour on Sat. and Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. With everything else to see it was hard to get there when it was open. But worth the tour.
I love our Olivas Adobe! Really fun for kids, you can walk along the building and look in to see the rooms all set up with original pieces of furniture and items of the time. Docents are really wonderful there and it's on such a beautiful piece of property with a beautiful courtyard and a historic rose garden. In the summer they have "Music Under the Stars" which is an evening in the courtyard with touring and local bands, always top notch talent! A great date night for adults!
This place is not somewhere I like to visit unless there is a special event (dinner, silent movie night, live music, etc.).
It's a bit frayed around the edges, but maybe that's the way life was back in the day. Gives one a very good idea of what life was like back in the days of the ranchos.
I love to go to the Summer Saturday night concerts. They are fun, the music is good, the ambience is friendly, you get to dance. And you can bring your own picnic. Can't be beat.
We took the family tour for $10 and had Marsha for a guide whom I cannot recommend enough. She knew her history and made an execellent presentation, answered our questions,and was very enthusiastic. Olivas Adobe is not a "must see" if you are in the area for only a day, but for those who want to learn about the CA history, or have a little more time to enjoy, it was very informative. For locals who are interested in the history of the tri-county region, I recommend it highly, similar to La Purisima mission though about 1/4 the size and scale. Tickets are $3ea or $10 for family.