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By Brigitte Najarian-Mier on August 28, 2025
It’s a well-known secret among Southern Californians that fall is, hands down, our favorite time of year. Is it the incredible weather? Not too hot and not too cold. Definitely. Or maybe it’s the smaller crowds? Absolutely.
But to be honest, one of the lesser-known benefits of experiencing our Mediterranean climate during the fall is the nature–particularly in Ventura County Coast. You’ll need a whole weekend to enjoy all the wildlife activity, like whale watching, bird migrations, and foxes.
Why Is Fall Prime Time for Wildlife Viewing?
It’s all about the temperature. For example, ocean temperatures along Ventura County Coast are warmer during the fall. Locals are still hitting the beach and surfing well into October, and we’re not the only ones enjoying the nicer temps.
Blue and Humpback Whales
The Santa Barbara Channel was designated as the 9th Whale Heritage Area in the world, which means it’s formally recognized as a destination that supports and demonstrates the importance of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and their ocean habitats.
It’s known that 25 different species of cetaceans reside in the Santa Barbara Channel, and 15,000 Pacific gray whales migrate to get to their breeding grounds in Baja, Mexico.
Keep your eyes out for blue and humpback whales. They’re often visible during this time of year because of upwelling. That’s when high winds push out the warm water from the surface and bring up the colder, nutrient-rich water from the ocean depths. The result? An environment teeming with life.
Here are some of our favorite whale watching tours:
- A Visitor’s Guide to Channel Islands National Park
- A guide to Whale Watching in Ventura County Coast
- Visit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum
- Where to Stay while visiting
📷 Photo by Susie Jensen Photography @aquasooz
Birds
The central coast is located on the Pacific Flyway (great band name), a major north-south migration route for birds stretching from Alaska to Patagonia. Along the way, millions of these birds seek breeding grounds, food, and locations to nest over the winter.
Some of the rare sightings you’ll catch in the fall are brown pelicans, cormorants, a variety of pelagic species, and Sci Scrub Jays
Want to see more birds? We got you:
- Book a wildlife tour with Island Packers
- See them in the wild while on a hike, visit Hiking in Ventura County Coast
- Learn more about the Scrub Jay
- Visit the Museum of Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology
📷 Wacky Walter the Pelican, photo by Susie Jensen Photography @aquazooz
Island Foxes
Since there are fewer crowds during the fall, you may spot one of the smallest canid species in the world, the island fox. They’re found only on the Channel Islands and have recently made an incredible comeback thanks to the tireless efforts of the Channel Islands National Park.
Pro tip: Island foxes have no natural predators, so they’re more active during daylight hours from dusk and dawn.
Here are some fun resources to see the island fox yourself!
- Book a trip with Island Packers
- Learn more about the Island Fox
- Visit the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center
📷 Island Fox off the trail at Santa Cruz Island, photo by Chris Ryan Photography
Needless to say, there are plenty of reasons to visit the Ventura County Coast during the fall. Plus, hotels drop in price after Labor Day. You’ll probably need a weekend-long stay just to see all the wildlife action, not including some local-favorite restaurants.
Here are some dining options
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- Lure Fish House is a big family favorite in our household–order the oysters (you won’t regret it!).
- Toppers Pizza Place is a Ventura County classic. Would recommend visiting the Channel Islands location (harbor and waterfront views), or the Ventura Front Street location (in combination with a local brewery, great blend of views and vibes).
- Visit our Eat and Drink page for more local favorites.
- Plan your visit around food festivals happening in the fall: Chowderfest, the Banana Festival, Camarillo Wine Walk, Multicultural Festival, and El Panteón Celebration.
