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Posted on July 3, 2025 by Ventura County Coast Staff
Looking for a beach day without the crowds? We’ve got you covered. Just an hour north of L.A., Ventura County Coast is home to a stretch of coastline where the pace is slower, the parking’s easier, and the views are stunning.
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes checking places off your list, or just finding your own corner of California — these five California State Beaches are worth the stop. Each one offers a different vibe, and all of them are big on space, scenery, and that laid-back feel that’s getting harder to come by.
Here’s your round-up. Bring a towel, take your time, and maybe don’t tell everyone about them.
Emma Wood State Beach
Perfect waves, diverse shoreline, picturesque views, and fewer crowds make Emma Wood one of the most desirable California State Beaches to visit on the Ventura County Coast.
Emma Wood State Beach is best known for its exceptional surfing. This beach is a must do for surfers with intermediate to advanced skill levels. The outer reef, known as Ventura Overhead produces the largest waves in the region during the winter months with waves can reach sizes of over twenty feet in height.
But you don’t have to surf to appreciate this stretch of coast. Pull off Highway 101, find a spot to park, and take a moment. Here, time feels measured by the tide, not the clock. Bring binoculars for dolphin spotting, or a book to read with the sound of waves as your soundtrack.
📷 by Ventura County Coast Staff: Emma Wood State Beach
When to Go
Like many California State Beaches, Emma Wood offers seasonal experiences that change with the seasons.
Winter and Fall (October–March) bring the biggest surf.
Spring and Summer (April-September) offer calmer waters ideal for family beach outings.
Know Before You Go
Dogs allowed in campground and day-use areas. Dogs not allowed on the beach.
Parking can fill up on weekends.
Where is Emma Wood State Beach? Emma wood state beach is located just off the State Beaches exit on Highway 101. View on Google Maps
Features
- Sandy Beach
- Rocky Shoreline
- Picnic Areas
- Paid Parking
- Free Parking (limited, near the park entrance)
- Light crowds
- Lifeguard tower (seasonal)
- Public Bathrooms
Activities
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach Play
- Beach Picnic
San Buenaventura State Beach
Stretching from the heart of Ventura to the base of the pier, this beach blends accessibility with a laid-back charm that’s hard to fake. Families barbecue under shady trees, and cyclists cruise past on the beachfront path. Spanning two miles in length, San Buenaventura State Beach features 360° panoramas of Ventura’s unique landscape, dreamy sand dunes, and sweeping views of the Channel Islands.
Wildlife enthusiasts can stroll along the designated trails to explore the park’s protected sand dunes to spot local wildlife and diverse plant life.
Beachside activities include bicycling, walking, and running along the scenic path to Ventura Pier and the downtown area. San Buenaventura State Beach is also a favorite spot for families and group gatherings, offering forty picnic areas spread across six acres of grass.
Not planning a picnic? No problem, the park’s official concessionaire serves fresh oysters, craft brews, and soft drinks, with even more dining options just a stroll away. San Buenaventura is one of the most versatile California State Beaches, combining nature, recreation, and easy access to Ventura’s vibrant downtown.
📷 by Ventura County Coast Staff: Couple enjoying fresh oysters at San Buenaventura State Beach.
Pro Tip for Visitors
Be sure to stay on designated trails as the sand dunes provide safe haven for the endangered Snowy Plover’s nesting sites.
Know Before You Go
Dogs allowed in day-use area. Dogs not allowed on the beach.
Where is San Buenaventura State Beach? San Buenaventura State Beach is located just off the Seaward and the Sanjon exits on the 101 Freeway.
Address: 901 San Pedro St, Ventura, CA 93001
View on Google Maps
Features
- Ample paid parking
- Bike/walking path
- Picnic areas with BBQ grills
- Oyster Bar
- Nearby hotels and restaurants
- Sandy beach
- Rock structures (jetties)
- Bike rentals
- Public bathrooms
- Lifeguard towers
Activities
- Bicycling
- Walking/running
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Family/Group gatherings
- Volleyball Courts
- Wildlife Viewing
Mandalay State Beach
Located on the edge of Oxnard, this underdeveloped swath of coastline stretches wide and wild, buffered by dunes and fringed with coastal grasses.
This is the beach for introverts, birdwatchers, and early risers. Bring a windbreaker, a thermos of coffee, and your camera — it’s not uncommon to catch pelicans gliding in formation or the glint of sunlight off a distant wave. It’s less a scene, and more a sanctuary. This protected shoreline boasts impressive wetlands and diverse wildlife by land and sea, with sweeping views of Ventura and Channel Islands National Park.
To get here, park at the end of West 5th Street. On the left will be Oxnard Shores and ‘oloÅ‚koy Beach Park, while the right lies Mandalay State Beach. Continue walking for about half a mile until you reach McGrath Lake, the border between Mandalay and McGrath state beaches. While McGrath State Park is currently closed due to flooding from the neighboring Santa Clara River Estuary, visitors can explore the shoreline between the mean high tide line and the water. Continue along the shoreline until you reach the Santa Clara River estuary, where you’ll find a wide array of natural wetland habitat and wildlife viewing.
📷 The sandy shores of Mandalay State Beach offer sweeping views of the coast and solitude.
Pro Visitor Tip
Winter sunsets along the river estuary are breathtaking. Please stay in designated areas to avoid disturbing sensitive wildlife habitats.
Know Before You Go
Dogs not allowed on the beach. No restrooms around.
Where is Mandalay State Beach?
At the end of West 5th Street in Oxnard
View on Google Maps
Features
- Free street parking
- Sand dunes
- Sandy beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sweeping Views
- Solitude
- Wetlands
Activities
- Fishing
- Surfing (intermediate and advanced level)
- Sunbathing
- Reading
- Photography
Point Mugu Beach
Point Mugu Beach may be one of the most dramatic pit stops along the Pacific Coast Highway. Just south of Point Mugu Naval Base, this beach sits below the iconic cliffs of Mugu Rock — a geological monument that feels almost mythic in person. The beach is minimal in facilities but rich in coastal drama: crashing surf and long views toward the Channel Islands.
It’s not built for crowds, which is exactly its charm. However, it is becoming busier during holidays and weekends. If you truly want to get in the coastal vibes, visit a weekday morning, you might have the place to yourself, save for a few pelicans and maybe a boogie boarder chasing the tide.
This is an ideal spot for family outings, beach play, surf fishing, boogie boarding, and soaking in the breathtaking coastal environment along Ventura County Coast’s.
📸 Point Mugu Beach, photo by King of Hearts
Know Before You Go
Dogs not allowed on the beach. Stay clear of Mugu Rock it is beautiful but dangerous due to crumbling terrain.
Where is Mugu State Beach?
Mugu Beach is located on Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Naval Base Point Mugu.View on Google Maps
Features
- Sandy Beach
- Stunning scenery
- Light crowds on weekdays
- Lifeguard towers
- Porta potties
Activities
- Fishing
- Boogie Boarding
- Sunbathing
- Picnics
- Photography
Sycamore Cove Beach
Where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the sea, you’ll find Sycamore Cove. A beautiful stretch of sand embraced by trees and trails. Popular with day-trippers and weekend grillmasters, this beach sits off Pacific Coast Highway and is part of Point Mugu State Park.
While the beach fills up fast on weekends, weekdays are still quiet enough to hear waves lapping against shore, and find shaded picnic spots. For more adventure, hop across the highway into Sycamore Canyon to explore the park’s biking and hiking trails with scenic overlooks of the coast. If the surroundings look familiar, it’s because this picturesque beach has appeared in a number of television shows and films.
📷 by Ventura County Coast Staff: Families enjoying a peaceful sunset at Sycamore Cove State Beach.
Pro Visitor Tip
Arrive early during weekends or visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds and secure a shaded picnic spot.
Know Before You Go
Dogs allowed in day use areas. Dogs not allowed on trails or the beach.
Where is Sycamore Cove Beach?
9000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura County, 90265View on Google Maps
Features
- Scenic location
- Picnic tables
- BBQ grills
- Shaded areas
- Paid parking
- Sandy beach
- Public bathrooms
- Lifeguard towers
- Light crowds on weekdays
- Wheelchair accessible
Activities
- Swimming
- Sunbathing
- Boogie boarding
- Family and group gatherings
- Picnicking and grilling
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Photography
Honorable Mentions
Hueneme Beach Park
Arguably one of the most picturesque beaches along Ventura County Coast. Hueneme Beach Park has stunning views of Channel Islands National Park and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Visitors can enjoy a 1,400-foot-long wooden pier, a seafood restaurant, and a paved bike and walking path, making it a popular spot for both locals and travelers alike.
Thornhill Broome State Beach
A semi-sandy beach located between Mugu Beach and Sycamore Cove. Thornhill Broome offers a rugged coastal experience with stunning ocean views.
County Line Beach
A small beach with an epic surf spot. County Line is a California State Beach, renowned for its historical significance in surf and pop culture. Just across the highway, you’ll find Neptune’s Net, one of the most iconic eateries along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Ventura County Coast proves that not all California beach days need a crowd or a celebrity sighting to be memorable. Here, the wildness is still intact, the beaches are easy to reach, and the ocean always feels like it’s just for you.
Plan Your Visit
So next time you are looking for surf without the stress, or sand without the shoulder-to-shoulder squeeze, point your compass north of LA. These beaches are calling, and this time, you’ll actually hear them.So next time you are looking for surf without the stress, or sand without the shoulder-to-shoulder squeeze, point your compass north of LA. These beaches are calling, and this time, you’ll actually hear them.
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