Summer Road Trip

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Updated: July 3, 2024.

Summertime is good… especially in Ventura County Coast! There are no bad days here, thanks to the endless rays of sunshine. While Ventura County Coast serves up summer vibes all year, this season is particularly spectacular. Imagine long sunny days filled with laid-back adventures, lazy beach hangs, and refreshing seaside strolls.

With a fun mix of activities, and events, there’s always something to do. We’ve put together the ultimate summer road trip to help you cruise like a local through our charming beach towns and national park. From summer events, taco trails, and wine tasting to farm tours, beachside bike rides, and shopping extravaganzas, it’s time to plan your perfect getaway.

So, grab your sunglasses, pack the sunscreen, and come ride the waves of summer on 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 and farm stands

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. Explore local farmers markets and shop for seasonal produce at The Store at McGrath Family Farms.

Stop 2: Sip quality wine in a welcoming atmosphere at Back Patio Cellars
537 Constitution Ave., Unit D, Camarillo

Continue sampling the fruits of local vines at Back Patio Cellars. This small, boutique winery sources grapes from all over the Central Coast to create crisp whites and juicy reds that will no doubt tempt you to purchase a bottle or two to take home—or enjoy later on your road trip. If you’d like to explore wine in greater depth, book a private wine tour with Explore Wines Tours. Spend a day tasting your way through wine country with a knowledgeable sommelier as your guide and designated driver. They’ll even pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.

CAMARILLO SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS: Summer Concert Series (June-August), 4th of July Fireworks, Heritage Days (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 sail the skies in Oxnard
Channel Islands Parasail, 3600 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard

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 a flight with Channel Islands Parasail. This safe, family-friendly* activity will have you soaring up, up, up to get a birds’ eye view of the harbor and coastline below (*children as young as two can go up with a parent or guardian).

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—so much so, the town is often referred to as “Tacs-nard!” Whether you’re a foodie looking to broaden your taco connoisseurship 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 Jerez and Yolanda’s Mexican Café.

OXNARD SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS: Oxnard Salsa Festival (July), Dallas Cowboys’ Training Camp (July/August), Heritage Square Summer Concert Series (June-August) and Oxnard Jazz Festival (September).

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. 

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 (August) 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
Downtown Ventura Visitors Center
101 S. California St., Ventura 

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 DIY 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: Tequila & Taco Music Festival (July), Surf Rodeo (July), Ventura County Fair (August), Boots & Brews (August) and Aloha Music Festival (September).

Plan Your Trip

Eat and drink in Ventura
Learn more about Ventura
Stay the night in Ventura County Coast
Find more things to do

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

Good Times Ahead

Find Your Vibe in Ventura County Coast

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Visit these regions of Ventura County Coast

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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