Summer Road Trip: 5-Day Coastal Itinerary

Updated: June 30, 2026.

Summer in Ventura County Coast means warm days, ocean breezes, and a packed calendar of festivals, farm stands, and beach towns to explore! We mapped out the ultimate 5-day, 50-mile road trip through Camarillo, Oxnard, the Channel Islands, Port Hueneme, and Ventura, with farm trails, taco trails, wine tasting, kayaking, and small-town charm along the way.

Grab your sunglasses and hit the coast. Here’s how to spend five perfect summer days in Ventura County Coast.

5 Days, 50 Miles

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

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

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

Day 1: Camarillo

Stop 1: Stop in at farms, farm stands, and kidSTREAM

Connect with Mother Nature and savor the season visiting the farms and farm stands along the Camarillo Farm Trail Tour.

Bring the kids to Underwood Family Farms for hands-on educational fun, or shop seasonal produce at The Store at McGrath Family Farms.

Families with young kids should also carve out time for kidSTREAM Children’s Museum, now open in the former Camarillo library building. The hands-on STREAM exhibits (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math) make it an easy add to any Camarillo stop.

Stop 2: Stroll tree lined paths, shop antiques, and sip quality wine in a welcoming atmosphere

Old Town is where Camarillo slows down in the best way. Spend the afternoon browsing antique shops, flipping through records, and popping into local boutiques along the boulevard.

When you’re ready for a drink, you’ve got options! From craft cocktails, to a decorated Tiki Bar, local wine tasting rooms, cold beers on tap, and cozy wine bars are all within walking distance of each other.

Grab a bite at Twisted Oak Tavern, settle in for brunch or dinner at Twenty88. The Saturday farmers market is worth timing your visit around too.

CAMARILLO SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS: Summer Concert Series (June-August), 4th of July Fireworks (July), Heritage Days Midsummer Fiesta (July), A Taste of Camarillo (July), and Wings Over Camarillo (August).

Plan Your Trip

Eat and drink in Camarillo
Learn more about Camarillo
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Day 2: Oxnard

Stop 1: Relax beachside or jet ski with the family

Get a big fill of sunshine and white sands at Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, where you’ll find a variety of beachfront lodging options. Rent electric bikes at Wheel Fun bike rentals and ride around feeling the sea breeze on your skin. Lounge by the hotel pool or find a perfect stretch of sand to relax on the beach.

Feeling more adventurous? Head to Channel Islands Harbor for an exhilarating ride on a Jet Ski rental. This fun and exciting water-sport gives you the opportunity to explore the coastline on a solo cruise or with the entire family on one of their double surrey bikes.

If you’re craving a change of pace, head inland to The Collection at RiverPark, an outdoor shopping and entertainment center with national retailers, the Annex food hall for a casual bite, and a Cinemark theater if you need an air conditioned break.

Stop 2: Oxnard’s Taco Trail

After all that activity, it’s time to fill your bellies and get your taco on! Next to strawberries, tacos are arguably Oxnard’s signature dish. There are so many tacos to choose from that the town is often referred to as “Tacs-nard!”

Whether you’re a foodie looking for bold flavors or a family looking for something everyone can agree on, you can choose from dozens of Mexican restaurants, taquerias and taco trucks along the Oxnard Taco Trail—yes, there’s a taco map for that!

Local favorites include: Taqueria Cuernavaca, Taqueria El Tapatio, Tacos La Bonita, Tacos Jerez, and Yolanda’s Mexican Café.

OXNARD SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS: Dallas Cowboys’ Training Camp (July/August), 4th of July Fireworks (July), and Heritage Square Summer Concert Series (June-August).

Plan Your Trip

Eat and drink in Oxnard
Learn more about Oxnard
Learn more about Channel Islands National Park
Learn more about Island Packers
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Day 3: Channel Islands National Park

Island Packers
Channel Islands Harbor, 3550 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Ventura Harbor, 1691 Spinnaker Dr #105B, Ventura

Families and nature lovers will enjoy the thrill of a lifetime exploring Channel Islands National Park in the summer. Hiking, snorkeling and kayaking adventures will bring you up close and personal with incredible sea life and adorable critters like Island foxes. Want to go super off grid? In mid-August, Santa Rosa island opens for backcountry beach camping. Imagine waking up 25 miles offshore of the mainland on a pristine stretch of coastline and rolling out for an outdoor adventure unlike any other in Southern California.

The islands and surrounding marine sanctuary are protected habitats that can only be accessed by private boat, the park boats run by Island Packers or planes through Channel Islands Aviation. If you take a sea-faring route, on the way out to the islands you will likely spot blue and humpback whales breaching. Summer also marks the start of pupping season for California sea lions and northern fur seals who make their home in our waters.

LOCAL TIP: This is generally the busiest time of the year for island visitors, so plan and book in advance. Please leave no trace behind.

Plan Your Trip

Learn more about Channel Islands National Park
Learn more about Island Packers
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Day 4: Port Hueneme

Stop 1: Hueneme Beach Park

Port Hueneme Beach Park is one of the most relaxing stretched of sand. The waves are big enough for a good ride, but gentle enough for new surfers, so bring your boards for surfing or bodyboarding—or take a lesson with Ventura Surf School. The nearby grassy park has plenty of picnic tables and barbecues for an oceanfront grill and chill with the fam, or order some crispy, golden fish and chips (with an ice cold one) at Surfside Seafood right on the beach.

Stop 2: Panaderia Conchita Bakery

Satisfy your sweet tooth with delectable Mexican-style treats at Panaderia Conchita Bakery, best known for their churros, colorful cookies and twists and savory cinnamon coffee, a traditional recipe brewed to perfection. Anacappuccino is another sweet local spot for an afternoon pick-me-up, with specialty ice-blended coffee drinks like banana split, peppermint patty and pink panther.

PORT HUENEME SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS: Hueneme Beach Festival (July) and Banana Festival (September).

Plan Your Trip

Learn more about Port Hueneme
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast

Day 4: Ventura

Stop 1: Ventura Harbor Village
1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura

Live the laid-back harbor life at Ventura Harbor Village, a waterfront hub of family-friendly activities, souvenir shops, eateries and entertainment. During summer weekends, catch live music in the afternoons on the Oceanfront Promenade Stage. Many restaurants like Water’s Edge Restaurant & Bar and Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room feature great atmospheres and views of the harbor.

Looking to get out on the water? Rent a boat, kayak or paddleboard from Ventura Boat Rentals and explore the Ventura Keys. Don’t miss the magic on weekend evenings when pedal boats light up and sparkle on the water. And you can’t leave the harbor without trying one of the special summer themed Taiyaki Fish Cones at Coastal Cone.

Stop 2: Downtown Ventura – Main Street

A visit to Main Street in historic Downtown Ventura will be the cherry on top of your Ventura County Coast summer road trip! Close to hotels and only a few blocks from the beach, Ventura’s walkable downtown is both pedestrian and bike friendly, with local landmarks like the San Buenaventura Mission and Ventura Botanical Gardens also nearby.

Spend the afternoon checking out unique shops ranging from vintage clothing and thrift stores to indie-spirited jewelry and surf shops. Grab a pint at a local brewery or plot a craft brew tasting tour with stops at Fluid State Beer Garden, Ventura Coast Brewery, Topa Topa Brewing Company and Barrelhouse 101. After the sun sets, settle in for a memorable dinner at one of many chef-driven restaurants and bars in the neighborhood.

VENTURA SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS: 4th of July Fireworks (July), Ventura County Fair (August), The Throwdown Cornhole Festival (August) and Aloha Music Festival (September).