New Year’s Resolution: 6 Coastal Adventures for 2025

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Find Inspiration for Your New Year’s Resolution in Ventura County Coast

This coastal region in California is the ideal place to kickstart your New Year’s resolution, offering abundant natural beauty, exciting outdoor activities, and perfect weather. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, a physical challenge, a reset, or simply a relaxing getaway, Ventura County Coast has something for everyone. Discover seven unforgettable coastal adventures that will help you fulfill your New Year’s resolution, leaving you with a sense of personal growth and accomplishment.

Surf Lessons

#1 Take Surf Lessons

Learning to surf is an exceptional personal accomplishment and an ideal New Year’s resolution. Surfers often say it’s one of the most rewarding activities for personal growth, uplifting both the mind and spirit. With 44 miles of pristine beaches and world-class surf breaks, Ventura County Coast is a surfer’s paradise. The region boasts beginner-friendly surf spots and is home to top-notch surf schools led by some of the area’s most skilled surfers.

Here are our top recommendations for surfing academies:

Mary Osborne Surf
Ventura Makos Surf Camp
Ventura Surf School
Ohana Surf Camp

#2 Run a Marathon

Running a marathon, whether it’s a 5K dash or the full 26.2-mile race, is a challenging New Year’s resolution that will leave you with a deep sense of accomplishment. Ventura County Coast is home to a variety of running events, including several Boston Marathon qualifiers, half marathons, 5K races, and triathlons.

Looking for the perfect place to train? Our Mediterranean climate offers ideal conditions, with warm summer weather and mild winters, plus an abundance of running tracks and hiking trails to explore.

Add running a full marathon to your new year's resolution
Skydiving in Camarillo, CA.

#3 Take Flight

Push yourself beyond your limits and conquer your fear of heights with thrilling aerial adventures. These activities make perfect New Year’s resolutions to help you build confidence and courage.

First on the list is skydiving, the ultimate adrenaline rush. There’s nothing like free-falling from an airplane and safely landing on the ground.

If you’re looking for a safer alternative, try parasailing over the Pacific Ocean, where you’re tethered to a boat 1,000 feet below.

Still feeling unsure? Take smaller steps toward your goal with a flight in an ultralight skyrider or enjoy a scenic helicopter tour over this coastal paradise.

#4 Take Time to Unwind and Recharge

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of self-care and relaxation. Yet, neglecting downtime can take a serious toll on your mind, body, and overall well-being.

Ventura County Coast offers the perfect escape to recharge and unwind. With 44 miles of stunning coastline, you’re sure to find a peaceful, uncrowded beach to truly relax.

Prefer a more pampered experience? The region boasts an array of day spas and tranquil hotels designed to help you rest, rejuvenate, and reset.

Go diving

#5 Dive a Kelp Forest

Here’s a little-known secret: just off the Ventura County Coast lies an enchanting underwater forest teeming with vibrant marine life.

Legendary scuba diver and conservationist Jacques Cousteau once described California’s Channel Islands as one of the most exciting and diverse dive sites he’d ever explored.

With vast kelp forests and a dynamic underwater landscape, Ventura County Coast offers an incredible setting for both beginners and seasoned divers to experience the magic of scuba diving.

#6 Explore Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is a must-visit destination that deserves a spot on everyone’s bucket list.

Often considered one of the most underrated national parks in the country, it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976 and is home to one of the largest National Marine Sanctuaries in the United States.

The park spans five protected islands and is home to over 2,000 species of flora and fauna. Among them are 145 species found nowhere else on Earth.

If you’re planning your New Year’s resolutions, make exploring this unique natural wonder a top priority. Popular activities at Channel Islands National Park include kayaking, diving, wildlife tours, hiking, fishing, and boating. Be sure to check out our visitor’s guide for more details about visiting this majestic natural wonder.

Explore Channel Islands National Park

Plan Your New Year's Resolution

Kickstart your New Year with inspiring experiences in Ventura County Coast, from surfing and skydiving to tranquil beach retreats.  This coastal paradise offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation to help you achieve your new year’s resolution. Get started planning your visit by reviewing our hotels, places to stay, and activities guide.

 

Tag your Ventura County Coast photos with #VCCVibes for a chance to be featured!

REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES

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Visit these regions of Ventura County Coast

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Visit California
Camarillo
Oxnard
Ventura
Port Hueneme
Channel Islands National Park

Regions

Ventura County Coast

Ventura County Coast is a string of four communities that radiate warmth from welcoming people and California sunshine. The region embodies the casual and active spirit of classic, where the seafood is fresh, the beer is handcrafted and the weather is the kind you dream about. Spend the day exploring miles of beaches, incredible harbors or lush green golf courses. Hop on a boat for a day trip to the Channel Islands National Park, where you can see breathtaking views of the Southern California coastline. With a bustling culture, high end and vintage shopping, a lively culinary spirit and beautiful outdoor experiences, Ventura County Coast calls on every visitor to find their vibe. From hiking and biking to sailing and snorkeling, from shopping and dining to just plain relaxing, Ventura County Coast will fill your days with a lifetime of memories.

Camarillo

Camarillo

An hour north of Los Angeles, Camarillo is nestled at the base of the Conejo foothills surrounded by verdant green fields and cool ocean breezes. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, enjoy Camarillo alfresco. From outdoor shopping and concerts, to delicious dining and fun events, Camarillo has it all. With small town charm and a rich history, it is the place for romantic weddings and corporate venues. Visit the historical sites and museums during the day, and walk along Old Town for dinner and drinks at night. A great getaway for everyone, Camarillo is the ideal place to Come for the Sun, Stay for the Fun.

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Oxnard

Oxnard

Rally your tribe and head for the Central Coast. California cool, panorama-perfect, culturally authentic and vibrant beyond measure. Oxnard is home to miles of pristine white sand beaches, electric nightlife, some of the best taquerias in the state, historic Victorian era architecture, the California Strawberry Festival, and an expansively picturesque harbor that serves as the closest access point to the Channel Islands National Park. Just sixty miles northwest of LAX and in close proximity to Santa Barbara and other major destinations, Oxnard is one of California’s best kept secrets.

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Ventura

Ventura

A place that embodies a casual soul and unexpected allure, Ventura is a vibrant town that checks stress and pretense at the door.  Its artistic culture, enduring history and privileged locale is crazy-inviting, very much alive, and refreshingly human.

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Port Hueneme

Port Hueneme

Just sixty miles northwest of Los Angeles, in the heart of the Central Coast, you’ll find Port Hueneme, the friendly city by the sea. Port Hueneme is the place for travelers looking to dig their toes in the sand, take a long walk, drop a fishing line off the pier or just kick back and relax. With walking and biking trails winding throughout the city and a perfect climate almost year round, you can revive your soul in Hueneme.

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Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is an American national park that consists of five of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of the U.S. state of California, in the Pacific Ocean.

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