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Ventura Beaches are perfect for relaxation and good times. Get away from it all in a sandy oasis with plenty of sunshine, awesome surf, exciting wildlife and out-of-this-world views. No matter what kind of beach experience you’re looking for, there’s a stretch of sand with your name on it. Here’s a list of some of our region’s most popular beaches.
Port Hueneme Beach
“Pier” Out in Port Hueneme
Just off the Pacific Coast Highway, Port Hueneme Beach is known throughout Ventura County Coast as a cool spot to kick back, grab a bite, or do some serious pier fishing. This picturesque Southern California beach is a great getaway location for family, friends, or just yourself, and it’s located walking or biking distance from local hotels, so you don’t have to worry about parking. Don’t forget to go for a stroll on Port Hueneme Pier and snap a pic or two before calling it a day!
Ormond Beach
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of California’s tidal wetlands. Here you can get a glimpse of what California’s beaches looked like before development. The stretch of shoreline spans from the south of Hueneme Beach Park and extends all the way to the borders of Point Mugu Naval Air Station. A popular spot for bird watchers with over 200 migratory bird species and dozens of shorebird species frequenting the salt water marshes. Looking for solitude? This is the perfect beach for some me time.
Beaches Near Camarillo
Make Camarillo a Home Base
Conveniently located halfway between Santa Barbara and LA, Camarillo is a family-friendly home base for exploring Ventura Beaches. This sunny, welcoming town is just minutes away from California’s iconic Pacific Coast highway and its majestic beaches. For more info about the best Ventura beaches near Camarillo, view Visit Camarillo’s website.
Sycamore Cove State Beach
More than just a beach. It’s a state park complete with an epic hiking/mountain biking trail, picnic benches, BBQ Grills, and white sand. Staying till evening? Don’t forget to bring firewood and marshmallows. Sycamore Cove is one of the few beaches in California with fire pits on the entire coast. The best BBQ areas have shade from small trees. A prized shaded area is the big pine tree towards the end of the parking lot as you’ll get plenty of shade all day. Be sure to bring your boogie boards for some exciting shore-break rides. With all of it’s scenic beauty, the location is often selected for major T.V. shows and motion pictures. Tag #vccvibes when posting your awesome selfies and reels when visiting this classic Ventura beach!
Thornhill Broome State Beach
A popular beach across the street from one of Pacific Coast Highway’s most popular hiking trails, the Chumash Trail. The shore is sandy lined with cobblestone. This is a great beach with a small crowd.
Point Mugu State Beach
Home to one of California’s most iconic landmarks on Pacific Coast Highway. Point Mugu State Beach is a stretch of sandy beach that extends into rocky outcroppings created by ancient lava flows and fossilized shellfish. Be careful to not pass the closed off areas, the rock falls are frequent and potentially dangerous. The beach area is perfect for laying out, getting sunshine, and beach activities for all ages.
Oxnard Beach Spots
Silver Strand Beach
Silver Strand Beach is a local favorite and is one of the most well known beaches on the Ventura County Coast. Named after the “silver screen” of Hollywood, this mile-long stretch of white sand is relatively private with stunning views of the Channel Islands and nearby harbor. It’s the perfect place for year-round surfing, kayaking and relaxing. Take a short stroll down the street and you’ll find a few sandwich shops, a corner taqueria with killer fish tacos, and a cafe with mouth watering vegan options.
Lay Out Like a Movie Star at Hollywood Beach
Funky, fun and culturally diverse Oxnard has seven beautiful beaches along its coast. Here, you can access the unparalleled Channel Islands National Park, sink your toes in the sand at Hollywood Beach, a destination made famous during the Golden Age of film, and even explore a shipwreck.
Movie stars like Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable and John Wayne flocked to Oxnard in the 1920s through the 1950s to explore the specially-designed neighborhood “Hollywood-by-the-Sea.” Today Hollywood Beach is one of Oxnard’s most frequented beaches. Lay out on the warm sand, look for sea glass on the shore or dolphins swimming by, or have a delish seaside picnic. It’s a location all ages will love!
Olołkoy Beach Park
Prounounced Oh-lote-koy formerly known as Oxnard Beach Park, the beach is named after one of the Chumash people’s most adorned creatures, meaning dolphin. This gorgeous beach boasts island views, a bike path, playground for the kiddos, picnic benches, barbecue grills, and sand dunes with plenty of beach to sink your toes into. Head over to Wheel Fun Rentals at Zachary Dunes to get in some pedal time, or bring your own bikes. This is a great beach for observing sea mammals, migratory birds, fishing, and beach activities. Wanna ride some waves? Olołkoy is an uncrowded beach break with fast waves for short board and boogie board riders.
Ventura Beach Spots
Harbor Cove Beach
Also known as Mother’s Beach by long time locals. Known as one of the safest Ventura Beaches along the coast with little to no current and smooth conditions. The beach is protected by jetties which make it the perfect spot to launch kayaks, inflatables, and paddle boards. Nearby attractions include Channel Islands National Park visitor’s center, Island Packers cruises, and Ventura Harbor Village.
Marina Park
Imagine a scenic beach that embodies the best of Ventura’s natural beauty. The panoramic views of Marina Park are absolutely stunning with rolling hills, harbor views, and plenty of sandy beach to soak it all in. Your kids will love Marina Park’s playground that features an enchanted pirate ship the San Salvador. Looking to try your luck with saltwater fishing? You came to the right place. The fishing dock and jetties are great places to catch numerous species like croaker, perch, and even glory fish like the California Halibut. Water activities include sailing classes, kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing! Be sure to bring a windbreaker or a coat for late afternoon winds. Park closes at sunset.
San Buenaventura State Beach
One of the best of Ventura’s beaches. San Buenaventura State Beach is surrounded by sand dunes, scenic hillsides, and island vistas. The beach features plenty of parking space and amenities for gatherings, parties, and large events. If you’re an oyster aficionado, then this is the beach for you. The location features an Oyster stand with craft brews, shuck your own, and tasty prepared dishes. Bicyclists can peddle their cares away with a paved bike path that spans the entire beach all the way to Surfer’s Point and the Ventura River Estuary.
Ride the Waves at Ventura Beach
Whether you want to surf, paddle board, kayak, jet ski, catch a professional surfing tournament or take a surf lesson from a professional, Ventura Beaches have it all.
The north end of San Buenaventura State Beach is best known for its historic pier and promenade, but it’s also ideal for picnics, viewing wildlife and water activities. Want a little wind in your hair? Jump on a beach cruiser! Wheel Fun Rentals rents out bikes, surreys and more.
North of Ventura Beach
Just north of Ventura is Rincon Parkway, with some of the best surf and sandy beaches on the coast. Mondos Beach offers beginner-friendly waves and long rides. Mondos is a must-go spot if you’re new to surfing. Solimar beach has some of the best boogie boarding and body surfing among Ventura Beaches.
Hang with family and friends at Emma Wood State Beach or Faria Beach, both one-stop spots for surfing, birdwatching, fishing, biking, and hiking.
Explore the Channel Islands
Set sail the crown jewel of the coast, Channel Islands National Park. The islands can only be described as an adventurer’s dream! The five islands—Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Anacapa, Santa Barbara and Santa Rosa—provide a peaceful escape from Southern California’s metropolitan areas, with miles of breathtaking coastal views, beautiful beaches, excellent hiking trails and more. (Heads up: There aren’t any sandy beaches on Santa Barbara Island, just rocky cliffs).
The islands are a playground for water lovers with unbelievable scuba diving, snorkeling and cave kayaking. Channel Islands Adventure Company offers guided tours that include rental gear, and check out Island Packers for transportation to and from the islands, as well as whale watching tours
Ventura’s Beaches Have Something for Everyone.
Ventura Beaches have something for everyone. Book your stay at Ventura County Coast today!
Get more travel inspiration with our guide to amazing things to see and do in Ventura County.
Things to Pack
Sunglasses
Bathing Suit
Camera
Hiking Shoes
Sweater
Sunscreen
Your Favorite Hat
Outfit for a Night Out
Binoculars
Pack Like a Local
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