Are you looking to spend some time at an incredible California beach? Ventura, California is the perfect place to go! In this article, we’re going to share 15 of the best Ventura beaches.
Situated in Southern California between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Ventura is home to delicious food, top-notch surfing waves, and picturesque scenery. Locals and travelers alike enjoy visiting beaches in Ventura County to surf, sunbathe, stroll, swim, and relax.
If you have pets, you’re in luck because most of the beaches are pet-friendly! And, if you’re looking to visit Ventura for a vacation, you can find plenty of accommodations.
While the entire Ventura coastline is stunning, let’s take a look at the best Ventura County beaches!
1. Marina Park Beach
Marina Park is a 15-acre waterfront park located at the end of Pierpont Boulevard. It’s lined with palm trees and is easily one of the best beaches on the California coast. It’s pet-friendly and great for families with little ones.
At Marina Park Beach, you can find a playground and volleyball nets. There’s also a dock and sailing marina. You can enjoy swimming, kayaking, sailing, and even fishing at Marina Park.
If you’re looking to catch some waves, check out this surf camp at Marina Park!
Amentities: paid parking, restrooms, grills, picnic areas, and showers
2. Harbor Cove Beach (Mother’s Beach)
Harbor Cove Beach is also referred to as Mother’s Beach, and it’s another dog-friendly destination. The scenery is unmatched, with views of pristine waters and rolling hills.
With jetties and a breakwater, Harbor Cove Beach is known as the best swimming spot in Ventura. Visitors also enjoy kayaking and catching the sunset at Harbor Cove.
Next to Harbor Cove is the popular Ventura Harbor Village, a waterfront shopping complex that’s well worth a visit!
Amentities: free parking, restrooms, showers, and lifeguard services
3. Hobson Beach Park
If you’re looking for a popular spot in Ventura, check out Hobson Beach. This long beach sits by the southern part of the private gated Seacliff Beach Colony and offers stunning views of the Channel Islands.
Surfers love Hobson Beach Park for its great surf, and they usually come early and take up the spots, especially during summer. You can also tent and RV camp here.
Amentities: minimal free parking, camping restrooms, showers, picnic tables, camp store, and cafe
4. Seaside Wilderness Park
Seaside Wilderness Park is next to Emma Wood State Beach Park. You can bike to this seaside spot on the Omer Rains Trail or park at Surfers Point, a nearby beach park.
If you enjoy hiking, birdwatching, surfing, or sunbathing, you’ll enjoy a trip to Seaside Park. It’s home to a breathtaking coastline and nature trails. It’s easy to spend an entire day here!
Amentities: free and paid parking and portable restrooms
5. Emma Wood State Beach
Emma Wood State Beach is an amazing, no-frills destination. This sandy beach is perfect for surfing, fishing, and swimming.
If you enjoy primitive camping, you’ll love Emma Wood. While there are few amentities, the views are unmatched. You can find about 90 self-contained vehicles campsites (no tents) that book up quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Best of all, each site is right on the edge of the ocean!
Amentities: camping, portable restrooms, and campfire rings
6. Sycamore Cove Beach
Sycamore Cove Beach is a day-use space in Point Mugu State Park between the Pacific Coast Highway and Sycamore Canyon Road. While the beach is amazing, its main attraction is its campground and extensive hiking trails.
The sandy cove is a great spot to relax, stroll, and go for a swim. Visitors also enjoy watching for wildlife and fishing.
Amentities: camping, restrooms, lifeguards, paid parking, and picnic tables
7. County Line Beach
If you’re looking for the perfect surfing beach, check out County Line Beach. This fun destination is a part of Leo Carrillo State Park and offers tons to do!
Beachgoers love surfing, scuba diving, fishing, and sunbathing at County Line Beach.
While there aren’t many amentities right at County Line Beach, you can find a campground, visitor center, lifeguards, and more at the main state park beach.
Amentities: restrooms and free street parking
8. Oxnard Beach
Oxnard Beach is an excellent family-friendly destination. It’s situated next to an ocean resort, making for the ideal vacation spot.
You can find a playground, oceanfront pathway, and barbeque grills at this palm-tree-lined beach. Visitors can play volleyball, sunbathe, and swim at Oxnard Beach. It’s also a great spot to hunt for seashells and sand dollars!
You can get to Oxnard Beach by going to South Harbor Boulevard, which has two paid parking lots. You can even find another lot to park your car on the southern end of the shore.
Amentities: grills, public parking, and parking
9. Silver Strand Beach
Silver Strand Beach is a visitor and local favorite as it’s one of the best California state beaches. There’s something for everyone, including fishing, water activities, and scenic views.
Experienced surfers love the wave quality at Silver Strand Beach, while calm bay waters are great for sailing and swimming. Another unique activity is strolling the sand to hunt for moon snail shells, cockle shells, and sand dollars.
Amentities: lifeguards, public restrooms, showers, grills, fire rings, and parking
10. Mandalay Beach
Mandalay Beach is situated next to Oxnard Beach, so this is a great spot to add to your Ventura, CA itinerary. You can find this beautiful stretch of shore next to a protected area with sand dunes and wetlands that boasts various wildlife.
Enjoy sunbathing, surfing, and strolling at Mandalay Beach. There are also unmatched views of Channel Islands National Park behind the water.
Amentities: Bike path, paid parking, and playground
11. Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach is located on the south end of the peninsula between the ocean and Channel Islands Harbor. Many celebrities used to own waterfront homes at Hollywood Beach. However, its residents are now mostly local families with tourists hanging out on the coast.
Beachgoers flock to Hollywood Beach to swim, play beach volleyball, and take a walk with their pets during the morning or evening. While it’s a frequented destination, the mile-long sandy shore offers plenty of space so you never feel crowded.
Amentities: free and paid parking, lifeguards, volleyball courts, restrooms, and showers
12. Solimar Beach
If you’re looking for hidden gems in Ventura you’ll love Solimar Beach! This long stretch of scenic coast is nestled in the Solimar Beach community. It’s a local spot with no facilities that offers peace and quiet.
If you visit at high tide, you’ll find a rocky shore. However, Solimar Beach is an excellent place to relax and walk along the shore during low tide. It’s also a great destination for surfing and exploring wildlife.
Amentities: free street parking
13. Faria Beach
Faria Beach is another community in Ventura that boasts a stunning shoreline. It’s the ideal destination for campers as Faria Beach Park offers campsites for tents and RVs.
While Faria Beach isn’t the best shore for swimming and sunbathers, it’s great for surfing, fishing, and paddleboarding.
Amentities: first-come-first-serve camping, parking, restrooms, showers, and camp store
14. Surfer’s Point Park
Surfer’s Point Park is near the city center and is the hot spot for local and visiting surfers. With that said, it’s really a nice beach for anyone who’s looking to enjoy beautiful views, catch picture-perfect sunset scenery, or stroll along the shore.
Not only do surfers and windsurfers enjoy catching the waves at Surfer’s Point, but you can also find the Ventura Promenade running along the shore with picnic tables. The Ventura Pier is just right of the beach, perfect for a scenic stroll.
Amentities: parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and showers
15. Mondos Beach
If you want to hang out at a dog-friendly beach where you can spend the day fishing, surfing, or paddleboarding, join the locals and head over to Mondos Beach.
The small lapping waves as Mondos is perfect for beginner swimmers, surfers, and paddleboarders. Anglers also enjoy coming here at dusk to catch fish.
You can find this simple, small sand and rock shore between the houses on the Pacific Coast Highway west of Ventura. To park, head to the dirt strip of spots across from the highway by the railroad tracks.
Amentities: free parking
Enjoy Ventura Beaches!
We hope we’ve inspired you to visit Ventura’s coastline. From beautiful beaches to exciting water adventures, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect piece of shoreline for pet owners, surfers, sunbathers, and anglers. Enjoy!
