Ventura is well known as a beach town and for its excellent surfing. With miles of beaches in Ventura County, Ventura offers many options to lie on the sand and soak up the sun or take advantage of the many activities available. Ventura has some of the best surf in the world and attracts surfers from all over the globe. You can find small waves if you’re a beginner or waves that challenge the best surfers in the world.
Ventura beaches offer family-friendly activities such as playgrounds and safe beaches where the big swells won’t devour your kids. The stunning views along the entire Ventura coastline include mountains, hills, sand dunes, and more. Options for waterfront activities abound on Ventura’s beaches, such as kayaking, kitesurfing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding. Or rent a bike and cycle down the Ventura Beach Promenade. Free parking is available nearby, making it convenient for visitors.
The Ventura Pier is one of the longest wooden piers in California, attracting fishermen and those out to see the Channel Islands and the beautiful sunsets on the Pacific. The annual summertime Ventura County Fair takes place right at the beach at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Between the Ventura Beach Marathon, Pier Under the Stars, Surf Rodeos, bikini contests, and much more, there are always fun activities at Ventura beaches.
Are you ready to grab your board or feel the ocean breeze at some of the best beaches on the Ventura County coast? Our complete guide covers all the fun and interesting things to do and see at Ventura California Beaches.
Ventura California Beaches Overview
You’ll find many beaches while living in Ventura County. These include iconic beaches with epic surf and soft, golden sand. With beaches for surfing, family-friendly beaches, and beaches with loads of activities, finding the perfect Ventura County Coast beach for you isn’t hard to do.
Some of the top surfing beaches in Ventura County are Surfer’s Knoll, Mondos Beach, and Solimar Beach. Harbor Cove Beach and Mother’s Beach are great for families and safe for swimming. Marina Park, Oxnard State Beach, and Mandalay State Beach feature biking paths, playgrounds, volleyball, kite flying, and much more.
Some of the other fantastic beaches in Ventura include Surfer’s Point, Promenade Park, and Rincon Beach. Hollywood Beach, made famous during the Golden Age of film, attracted movie stars like Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and John Wayne in the 1920s through the 1950s. It is one of Oxnard's most frequently visited beaches, offering warm sand, sea glass hunting, dolphin watching, and a great spot for a seaside picnic for visitors of all ages.
History of Ventura California Beaches
Ventura was once home to many native tribes, many of which were dependent on the ocean for food and survival. The area was settled by the Spanish in 1769, followed by the Mexican era after Mexico won its independence from Spain. The American era began in 1848.
The city was officially founded in 1782, six years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. The beaches have always been a part of life in Ventura, right up to the present day. Surfing has been around since the early 1900s. The Ventura Pier was first built in 1872 as a commercial wharf, bringing in merchandise and lumber and exporting local agricultural products and crude oil. The pier became a fishing and pedestrian structure decades later and is now a centerpiece for fishermen, locals, and tourists.
Where Are the Beaches in Ventura County? | Ventura California Beaches Hours & Location
Ventura County cities have a number of scenic beaches that cater to loads of ocean activities, including the ever-popular sunbathing and surfing. Here are some of the best beaches in Ventura:
Mother’s Beach
Known for its safety, due to jetties and a breakwater that shelter it, Mother’s Beach, also known as Harbor Cove Beach, features small lapping waves and soft sand. Mother’s Beach is a great place for families with kids. Dogs are allowed on leashes. The Beach offers views of the Channel Islands and is located next to Ventura Harbor, where beachgoers can enjoy seafood, cafes, shops, and games. The beach is free and parking is also free.
Marina Park
Just off Ventura Harbor, Marina Park is a 15-acre beachfront park with nearly a mile of beachfront and flat sand. The park features a large open grassy area for kids to play, families to picnic, or to just enjoy the California sunshine. The grassy area is a great place to play, with a play area and a pirate ship. The park has a fishing dock, and paved walkways lead to the jetty where you can watch boats come in and out.
San Buenaventura State Beach
San Buenaventura State Beach features two miles of shoreline and is a popular beach due to its proximity to town. Activities on the beach include volleyball, and picnic areas, and lifeguards are on duty year-round. Many do body surfing, boogie boarding, and fun games like corn hole. The Ventura Pier sits at the north end of the beach, where you can bike along the Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail. Parking lot fees at the beach are $10.
Surfer’s Knoll Beach
The best place to surf in Ventura is Surfer’s Point, or Surfer's Knoll, a sandy beach connected to the Ventura Pier by an oceanfront promenade pathway and bike trail. This beautiful beach has a boardwalk and is lined with palm trees and white sand. Surfer's Point is close to the Ventura fairgrounds and only a handful of blocks from Downtown. Parking is free, but the beach is often crowded.
Rincon Beach
Rincon Beach is a very popular surfing destination and is about 14 miles north of the Ventura Pier. The famous right-hand break coming off the east side of the point is a dream for surfers from all over the world. Dogs are allowed on the beach.
Mondos Beach
Mondos is a small beach sandwiched between Faria Beach Park and Solimar Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway. The beach is a popular spot for activities such as stand up paddleboarding and beginner surfing due to the small, consistent, waves. Parking is free, but Mondo’s Beach has no restrooms.
Emma Wood State Beach
Emma Wood State Beach is a local favorite away from the crowds of the more popular surfing and swimming beaches. Only about a 20-minute walk from downtown, the beach is near the famous Rincon Beach. Emma Wood State Beach is popular among cyclists with the Pacific Coast bike trail being just steps away. Dolphins sightings are common, and the beach is a hot spot for fishing as well. You can see the ruins of a World War II artillery site on the beach. The windblown sand dunes add to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the beach, making it a perfect place for activities like kayaking and flying kites. Parking is free.
Are Dogs Allowed in Ventura California Beaches?
Dogs are allowed on Ventura City beaches as long as they are on a leash.
Ventura California Beaches Activities
Ventura California beaches offer much more than swimming and sunbathing. Biking paths, walks along the soft sand, surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking are just a few of the options available.
Surfing
Surfing is what Ventura beaches are famous for. The Ventura coast is one of the best places to surf in the country. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, you can find the perfect spot for you in the Ventura beaches.
Swimming and Sunbathing
For traditional beach activities like swimming and sunbathing, nearly every Ventura beach fits the bill. The beaches are typically crowded during the summer months, with locals and visitors alike splashing in the surf and soaking up the rays.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Kayaking has long been a common activity along the Ventura beaches, and paddleboarding is fast becoming one of the most popular sports for locals and visitors.
Beach volleyball
Beach volleyball is a popular sport on the Ventura beaches, and many beaches have volleyball nets that stay up all year round.
Whale watching
Local wildlife cruises bring you close up to humpback whales and the endangered blue whales. Other marine animals you might see include dolphins, sea lions, and birds.
Ventura Pier
Built in 1872, the Ventura Pier is the oldest pier in the state and was the longest from 1938 to 1995. The pier is a Ventura Historic Landmark. The pier is the heart of the city and a great place for fishing, picnics, sunset strolls, stunning views of the horizon, fishing, and eating at Eric Ericson’s Fish Co.
Ventura Harbor Village
A hotspot for shopping, entertainment, and dining, Ventura Harbor Village is located right on the waterfront. Rent a boat or a kayak for some fun in the water. Dogs are welcome at the village, and you can explore the many boutiques and specialty shops for hours.
Channel Islands National Park
Known as the “Galápagos of North America”, the Channel Islands National Park is made up of five distinct islands that are only a quick ferry ride away from Ventura Harbor. The park features 2,000 different plant and animal species, 150 of which are found nowhere else in the world. You can camp in the park, kayak through sea caves, and enjoy the pristine beauty all around you.
The Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail
The Omar Rains Coastal Bike trail is a paved pedestrian trail that takes you along the beach from the Ventura Pier up the Ventura Promenade to Surfers' Point and down past dunes toward San Buenaventura State Beach. The trail is flat, allowing you to enjoy the breeze and the scenery.
Oxnard Beach Park
Oxnard Beach Park is an extensive park with wide open spaces and lots of parking. A horseshoe-shaped trail spans the park, lined with palm trees where you can stop at picnic tables and playgrounds. Dunes separate the grassy area from the beach and are a great place for kids to play.
Ventura California Beaches are world famous and have plenty to offer. It’s no wonder they attract tons of visitors every year. The best Ventura beach for you is a matter of what you’re looking for, but they all come with soft sand and lots of sunshine. Now that you have a taste of some of the best beaches in Ventura, it’s time to head out to one of Ventura’s iconic beaches for a day of sun and fun.
There's so much to love about Ventura. Whether you're going to jet ski or check out the great surf, there are so many reasons people are moving to Ventura. When relocating, you need the best Ventura moving company to help you get there, and Movegreen is the top choice. Contact us today at 866-684-7336 for a free quote!
