From the land, air and sea

Outdoor Road Trip

Is there a special place in your heart for the great outdoors and wide-open spaces? Do you love the feel of sunshine on your skin and the wind in your hair? Ventura County Coast has the perfect road trip for you. In five days, you’ll experience what our spectacular region has to offer from the land, air and sea. Grab some sunscreen, a bathing suit, and a good pair of hiking boots. Your outdoor adventure is calling! Check out the video below for inspiration. We have also put together an itinerary just for you. While there are endless outdoor adventures in the region, the following itinerary will be a great first trip.

Land, Air and Sea Adventure – 5 Days, 50 Miles

Ventura County Coast is accessible from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Start: Ventura
End: Camarillo
Coming from the south? Flip the itinerary!

When planning your trip, remember to check for the latest on COVID-19 in Ventura County.

Don’t forget to tag your photos with #VCCVIBES and #VCCOUTDOORS

Day 1: Ventura

Stop 1: San Buenaventura State Beach
901 San Pedro St., Ventura, CA 93001

San Buenaventura State Beach is an outdoor lover’s dream. Not only does it have a gorgeous beach, like its name suggests, it also has a picturesque pier, picnic area, and small lagoon overflowing with wildlife. Spend the morning swimming, surfing, or kayaking and then have a picnic lunch before playing some beach volleyball or cornhole. Want a little wind in your hair? Jump on a beach cruiser! Wheel Fun Rentals is there on the weekends and holidays renting bikes!

Stop 2: Beach Fish House and MadeWest Brewing Company Taproom
Ventura Pier, 668 Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001

You can’t go to Ventura without seeing the historic Ventura Pier and Beach. Enjoy the sunset reflecting on the waves while sipping award-winning craft beer at MadeWest Brewing Co. Taproom on the pier. A local (and not-so-local) favorite is the Standard Blonde Ale, which won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2018. It pairs well with any of the seafood dishes from the taproom’s next-door neighbor, Beach Fish House, which serves food in both locations.

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Day 2: Oxnard

Stop 1: Silver Strand Beach
2517 Ocean Drive, Oxnard, CA 93035

Experience a California beach like it used to be decades ago. Oxnard’s pristine, uncrowded Silverstrand Beach offers a long list of sunshine-soaked activities, including world-renowned surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, or peddling a four-wheel surrey along the coast. The year-round good weather promises you’ll have a beautiful, relaxing day on the sand. Looking for extra thrills? Take to the sky with Oxnard’s Channel Islands Parasail!

Stop 2: Squidly’s Coffee, Sandwiches & Acai Bowls
2929 Ocean Drive, Oxnard, CA 93035

Take your board or kayak across the harbor to this local gem of a restaurant, which serves flavorful sandwiches and acai bowls made with the freshest ingredients. And don’t forget Squidly’s famous coffee, served hot or cold for whatever suits your mood!

Oxnard Details

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Day 3: Port Hueneme

Stop 1: Port Hueneme Beach Park and Pier
East Surfside Drive, Port Hueneme, CA 93041

Continue your epic Ventura County Coast adventure with a barbecue at Port Hueneme Beach Park. The local scenery simply can’t be beat as you’re strolling along the beach or boardwalk. If you’re looking for a little more excitement, try casting a line at the Port Hueneme Pier. Fishing is considered one of the area’s most popular year-round activities. Those who have had their fill of the beach can take advantage of Port Hueneme’s 12 miles of walking and biking trails or head over to Moranda Park for a game of tennis, pickleball, basketball or softball.

Stop 2: Surfside Seafood
550 East Surfside Drive, Port Hueneme

End your day with a generous serving of that beloved seaside classic, fish and chips, at Surfside Seafood located right on Port Hueneme Beach. Their menu also includes a long list of other locally caught fish and seafood, so the world is your oyster! Sit back around the outdoor fire pit and take in the California sun and the epic views of the Channel Islands National Park.

Port Hueneme Details

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Day 4: Channel Islands National Park

Stop 1: Island Packers
Channel Islands Harbor, 3550 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93035
Ventura Harbor, 1691 Spinnaker Dr #105B, Ventura, CA 93001

If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world adventure, hitch a boat ride with Island Packers from either Channel Islands Harbor or Ventura Harbor to Channel Islands National Park. Known as the Galapagos of California, the Channel Islands have some of the world’s most breathtaking sea caves, which can be explored on a kayak. You can also get a gorgeous, underwater view of the local sealife by snorkeling! If you’re more interested in the islands themselves, take in the rugged landscape and thriving wildlife on a hike unlike any other. Guests on the islands are allowed to bring food, so make sure to pack a picnic lunch before you go!

Channel Islands National Park Details

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Day 5: Camarillo

Stop 1: Skyrider Ultralights
865 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010

You’ve experienced Ventura County Coast by sea—now it’s time to get a bird’s-eye view! Take a flight you’ll never forget with Skyrider Ultralights, Southern California’s finest ultralight and light sport aircraft flight training center. One of the center’s certified pilots will take you soaring “low and slow” over the Camarillo mountains or the Pacific Ocean for thrilling views of the local landscape.

Stop 2: Waypoint Cafe
325 Durley Ave., Camarillo, CA 93010

After coming back to Earth, fill up on a delicious, all-American breakfast or lunch (or breakfast for lunch) at the Waypoint Cafe located at the Camarillo Airport. Watch planes land and takeoff while enjoying a buttery Belgian waffle or breakfast burrito with homemade enchilada sauce. Now that’s a meal with built-in entertainment!

Photo Credit: Waypoint Cafe Camarillo

Camarillo Details

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Things to Pack

Sunglasses

Get your sunnies out

With year-round sunshine, you can bet you will need your sunglasses at the X Games Finals.

Bathing Suit

The sun is out

You will need your bathing suit or board shorts for our 22 miles of beaches and surf. Get ready to soak in the sun.

Camera

Or phone

Capture all the action at the X Games 2023 Finals! Be sure to bring your camera.

Hiking Shoes

The trails are calling

Ventura Coast Coast has miles of trails to explore. From coastal walks to mountain treks, there’s something for everyone.

Sweater

Just a light one!

The Ventura County Fairgrounds can get breezy and cool in the evenings. Be sure to bring a light jacket to throw on at night and in the mornings.

Sunscreen

Eat lobster. Dont be one.

Spending all day in the sun? Protect your skin! It’s what the dermatologist ordered.

Your Favorite Hat

Snapback? floppy? visor? cowboy?

Being outside all day can take it’s toll. Make yourself more comfortable and keep the sun out of your face with your favorite hat.

Outfit for a Night Out

Dress to impress

Don’t forget an outfit for a nice dinner and a night out on the town.

Binoculars

Views every where

No matter what city you are in, there are views everywhere. Maybe you will spot dolphins or even a whale!

Pack Like a Local

Get recommendations from locals on what to pack

Check out what our Local Vibe spotlight participants recommend you bring on your next road trip to California’s Ventura County Coast Read More

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

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

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

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.