LIFESTYLE THE
of
104 S. DUNNING STREET Presented by
Toni Guy
WHAT’S INSIDE The Story of Ventura Top 10 Things We’ll Miss A Street with a Story Things To Do Around Ventura
STORY THE
OF VENTURA
Ventura is a small coastal town situated along
Ventura is known for its scenic coastline and
the southern California corridor, conveniently
beautiful beaches, including Ventura State
located between the two major cities of Los
Beach and Surfer’s Point. The Pacif ic Ocean
Angeles and Santa Barbara.
is not only within easy reach but also feels like
Ventura has been inhabited by different peoples, including the Chumash Native Americans, for at least 10,000 years. With the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1782, Mission San Buenaventura
an integral part of Ventura. The city has a rich cultural and culinary diversity, with a variety of great taquerias, ramen joints, and Tex-Mex bars along the coast.
was established by Junípero Serra, giving the city its name. The mission played a central role in the region’s development.
Ventura’s combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, cultural offerings, and community events makes it an appealing place to live for those who appreciate a coastal lifestyle with a mix of urban and natural amenities.
Spanish Revival,
104 S. DUNNING STREET VENTURA, CA 93003 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,493 Sq. Ft.
LEARN MORE ABOUT 104 S. DUNNING ST.
With A Poet’s Soul Authentic, soulful and wonderfully individual, this home’s warmth unfolds slowly and stays with you. Built in 1929, it carries nearly a century of stories within its walls—and 26 years filled with poetry, music, lingering dinners and everyday beauty. The 1,493-square-foot home offers two bedrooms, two baths and a den/off ice, with an easy flow f rom one inviting space to the next. Fresh interior paint gives the rooms a light, welcoming feel, while the recent exterior paint, graceful lines and original details celebrate the home’s Spanish Revival character.
The living room centers around a curved 1920s fireplace, while gorgeous refinished oak floors carry you into the formal dining room. This is a home made for gathering— whether around the fireplace, over dinner with friends or for an impromptu dance when your favorite song comes on. The remodeled kitchen has been the heart of countless dinners, often with music playing and a bottle of Malbec nearby. There is plenty of room to cook, while the sunlit breakfast nook is the perfect spot for morning coffee or a quieter meal. An oversized separate pantry
offers wonderful storage, and the side door makes it easy to bring in ingredients from the garden or unload groceries from the car. Added by the current owner, the spacious primary suite opens to the backyard through sliding glass doors, allowing the garden to feel like part of the room. Its en suite bathroom has a timeless personality of its own, with a high ceiling, generous shower and skylight. Earthy green tiles give the space a grounded calm that feels beautifully at home with the character of the original house.
The hall bathroom retains its period charm, with another skylight bringing in natural light f rom above. The den/off ice, which leads to the primary suite, also opens to the garden through sliding glass doors. It is an inviting space for reading, working, watching a favorite film or simply leaving the doors open and letting the garden become part of daily life. A n d w h a t a g a rd e n i t i s ! S e t o n a 6,098-square-foot lot, the backyard is private, lush and just a little bit magical. Droughttolerant landscaping feels anything but sparse, with sculptural succulents, flowering
plants and plenty of activity among the blooms. Hummingbirds dart through the garden, Monarch butterflies make regular appearances and bees are absolutely mad for the succulent flowers. An olive tree casts welcome shade, while the grand old avocado tree— affectionately known as “the old man”—feels almost like part of the family. A childhood treehouse once rested in its branches, and when the tree produces, there are enough avocados to share with the neighbors. The detached two-car garage is
arranged as a studio with a full bathroom. It was originally converted by the owner ’s husband and his father into a music studio, where he composed and taught as a member of the California Institute of the Arts faculty. Today, it remains an inspiring and flexible place for art, writing, work or guests. Nearly a century after it was built, this is still a house filled with words and music—ready for someone new to bring their own stories, songs and everyday beauty.
TOP 10 THINGS I’LL MISS By Homeowner Kim
1.
The Wonderful Neighbors They shared fresh vegetables, watched over the house and made this street feel like a true community.
2.
3.
Having So Much Close at Hand Trader Joe’s, Target, the mall and the gym are all just a short stroll from the front door.
The 1920s Spanish Architecture Dunning Street has a special place in Ventura’s history, and its neighbors take pride in preserving that character.
4.
5.
6.
The Garden Visitors Hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies and bees are always busy among the blooms.
7.
8.
Music, Meals, and Slow Dances Mark loved to cook with music playing and a glass of Malbec nearby— occasionally dropping the spoon for a dance in the living room.
The Way The House Flows The primary suite, with its doors opening to the garden, has always felt like a private sanctuary.
The Ever-changing Light The way it moves through the house and garden has inspired more than one poem.
The Ancient Avocado Tree It once held our son’s treehouse, and when “the old man” produces, there are plenty of avocados to share.
10.
9.
The Studio Turned Guest Casita Originally created as a composer’s studio, it became a welcoming and flexible space for guests.
The Poetry Box Seeing neighbors and passersby stop to read a poem—and sometimes leave a note or small offering—has brought so much joy.
A HOUSE FILLED WITH WORDS AND MUSIC For 26 years, this has been a home filled with poetry, music and creativity. I’m a writer and poet, and after seeing a poetry box in Santa Cruz, I dreamed of having one of my own. My sweet neighbor, Roland, built the box in the front garden, and every two weeks, I filled it with a new poem. I loved seeing neighbors and passersby stop to read, sometimes leaving thank-you notes and small offerings of appreciation. Inside, my husband Mark, a composer, filled the rooms with music. Together, we created a home where words were shared, music was played and creativity was part of everyday life.
THOUGHTFUL IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE YEARS Over the years, we thoughtfully updated the home while preserving the character of its 1920s Spanish architecture. We added the spacious primary bedroom and bathroom, creating a private retreat with doors opening directly to the garden. We remodeled the kitchen, and Mark and his father converted the garage into a composer’s studio, which I later transformed into a welcoming guest casita. Outside, we created a colorful, low-water garden that is easy to care for and loved by hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies and bees.
A STREET WITH A STORY
I
n the late 1920s, Ventura was finding a new architectural voice.
Spanish Revival homes and charming Tudor cottages were appearing in the neighborhoods near downtown and along the hillsides of Hobson Heights. Farther east, beyond the city limits and surrounded by orchards and open farmland, another small pocket of homes was beginning to take shape. The Clarence Chrisman Tract was approved in November 1928, and 104 S. Dunning Street followed in 1929—part of that same beautiful moment in Ventura’s history.
Clarence Lyle Chrisman came from one of Ventura’s prominent early development
families and helped guide the city’s growth into Midtown and the East End. Dunning Street and nearby Ocean Avenue were among the places where he developed and built homes. At the time, this little enclave stood somewhat on its own, but its location along the growing East Main corridor made it an early foothold for the Ventura that would eventually expand around it. The old photograph offers a glimpse of that landscape: a ribbon of roadway running through acres of orchards, with the hills rising almost untouched in the distance.
Because the tract developed gradually through the Depression and the decades that followed, Dunning Street became a wonderful mix
of architectural styles rather than a row of matching homes. That individuality remains part of its charm today, along with a genuine neighborhood spirit. Neighbors know one another, share vegetables from their gardens and watch over each other’s homes. Church bells drift through the air, birds gather in the trees, and Midtown shops, cafés, restaurants, the farmers market and everyday essentials are close at hand—a little pocket of Ventura history that still feels warmly and joyfully lived in.
THINGS TO DO AROUND VENTURA CHILL AT THE BEACH
WANDER THROUGH DOWNTOWN VENTURA
Relax on the beaches of Ventura,
Downtown Ventura is the historic and cultural heart of the
including Ventura State Beach and
city, offering a mix of charming architecture, eclectic shops,
Emma Wood State Beach. Enjoy
restaurants, bars & breweries, and cultural venues.
sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, and beach volleyball.
WALK ALONG VENTURA PIER
VENTURE TO CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK Resting off Ventura’s coast, the f ive islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park are a wonderland like no other.
Take a stroll along the Ventura Pier,
Sweeping ocean views, tiny foxes, hiking, snorkeling, sea cave
enjoy scenic views of the coastline,
kayaking, and backcountry camping, all just a boat ride away.
and explore the nearby promenade featuring shops, restaurants, and
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
street performers.
Ventura offers several
DROP BY THE FARMERS’ MARKETS
hiking and biking opportunities with scenic trails that showcase the city’s
Experience the local flavors by visiting
natural beauty and stunning
one of Ventura’s farmers’ markets.
coastal landscapes.
VISIT THE VENTURA BOTANICAL GARDENS
SURF AT SURFER’S POINT
The Ventura Botanical Gardens is a public garden with
Ventura is known for its surfing culture, and Surfer’s
diverse plant life that provides visitors with stunning
Point is a popular spot for surfers of all levels. You
panoramic views of the city of Ventura, the Pacif ic
can either catch some waves or simply enjoy
Ocean, and the Channel Islands.
watching the surfers.
CHECK OUT THE LIVE MUSIC VENUES
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO OJAI
Ventura has a diverse and lively music scene that caters
Venture to the nearby town of Ojai, known for its
to various tastes. The Majestic Ventura Theater is a
artistic community, outdoor activities, wine tasting,
historic venue that hosts concerts, while smaller spaces
and more.
like The Hong Kong Inn provide more intimate settings.
These are just a few of the many wonderful experiences to enjoy in and around Ventura, offering a blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and culinary delights for everyone.
104 S. DUNNING ST. PROPERTY FILM
Toni Guy is a top-producing Ventura County real estate advisor with over 20 years of full-time experience, known for pairing creative storytelling with smart, steady negotiation. She specializes in character homes, hillside properties, and legacy neighborhoods — with Hobson Heights at the heart of her work. Born in New Zealand and happily rooted in Ventura, Toni brings Kiwi humor, deep local knowledge, and a genuine love of place to every client experience. A longtime Hobson Heights resident and advocate, she wrote, produced, and narrated the 50-minute documentary The Legends of Hobson Heights, celebrating the neighborhood’s architecture, triumphs, and layered human stories. In 2025, she also created and hosted the Hobson Heights Home & Garden Tour, raising over $23,000 for the Ventura Land Trust. Recognized as the #1 Individual Agent at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties in Ventura for 2023—2025, Toni takes her clients, their homes, and their decisions seriously — while keeping the experience collaborative, thoughtful, and truly human.
TONI GUY
REALTOR® | Luxury Specialist
#1 Real Estate Agent in Ventura - RealTrends Verified
805.570.0265
Top Individual Agent GCI and Production 2023. 2024 & 2025
ToniGuy22@yahoo.com toniguyrealestate.com DRE 01491191
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Ventura
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