Serra Cross Celebration
Nine years ago this week, I married my best friend ( @suddelysee ) under the beautiful Serra Cross in Ventura California surrounded by our dearest family and friends. Today on the blog, I’m thrilled to take you with me and introduce you to this spot that holds such a special place in my life and heart.
History
Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish missionary, founded San Buenaventura on March 31, (Easter Sunday) 1782. It was the ninth and final California mission he founded. He blessed the spot and planted a wooden cross, known as La Loma de la Cruz. The cross currently standing here, which is the fourth cross to stand in this spot, was erected in 1941. Winds, rain, and earthquakes destroyed three previous crosses over the last 200 years. The cross site is a designated Ventura Historic Landmark, as well as a California Historical Landmark.
Present Day
Serra Cross is managed by the Serra Cross Conservancy, and it stands inside Serra Cross Park, a 1 acre parcel of land located in the 107 acres of open space at Grant Park. The cross boasts some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Ventura, as well as the Pacific Ocean below (sunsets here can’t be beat). Serra Cross is a marvelous place to view the Santa Barbara Channel, as well as Anacapa and Santa Cruz Channel Islands.
Thomas Fire
In December 2017, the historic Thomas Fire swept through the surrounding park and destroyed much of the vegetation here, but the cross miraculously survived with minimal damage (a slightly singed arm). The Thomas Fire burned over 280,000 acres in and around Ventura County, including much of Grant Park and the Ventura Botanical Gardens, which are still recovering from the massive devastation.
Special Events
The Serra Cross Conservancy rents out the site for special events (such as weddings😉). These grounds can comfortably hold over 250 people for seated events. Electrical outlets are located at the cross. However, there are no restrooms or water available on site, so if you want to hold an event here, plan vendors who are able to bring everything you might need...but I promise it’s worth it and not terribly difficult to arrange. You can find important information and Serra Cross rental details here.
Know Before You Go:
• Official park hours are 8am to 8pm
• Ample parking is available
• It’s 1.5 miles from the cross to the Ventura Pier.
• Perfect place for picnicking and hiking
• There are no lights on the winding dirt road, so if driving here do so slowly and with caution.
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
Thanks for joining me today at the Serra Cross. If you find yourself in Ventura, definitely make time to stop here! For a closer look at this spot, see my Behind the Blog Video below…and until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
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