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Ventura California is a delightfully unassuming beach town located 62 miles north of L.A. and about 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara. A beach vacation here is more of a quiet, laid back affair compared to most other Southern California beaches.
There is a small historical downtown which includes the Ventura County Museum of History and Art. Nearby is the Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782.
Mission San Buenaventura In Ventura
The Ventura Beaches
The beach just north of the old fashioned pier is called Seaside Park. It has a wide promenade that goes along it. The Ventura County Fairgrounds are adjacent.
South of the pier has San Buenaventura State Beach, which bears much wider sands. A bike path runs along the coast and there are lifeguards, a snack stand and volleyball courts.
Marine Park is a great place to bring kids and kites. Ever hear of the Ventura Beach pirate ship? What the heck is a pirate ship doing on the beach? It's parked on the sand and there's this zip line kids like to swing from and fall in the sand.
A Beach In Ventura California
There is a small sandy beach next to the old ship, but the water is rough and current strong. A playground sits just behind the beach with a large, hilly grass park beyond. At one end there is also a walking path along between the beach and the harbor.
A better place for children to swim is the beach across from the Channel Islands National Park Visitor's Center near Ventura Harbor Village. This beach is protected by jetties, so has no waves and a roped off swimming area with an overlooking lifeguard stand. However, check signs or the lifeguard if you go because the water quality is sometimes not good for swimming.
For a real back to nature Southern California coastal experience, you can take an excursion to the
Channel Islands National Park.
The Ventura Harbor Village is nice for a stroll along the walkway overlooking the fishing boats and sailboats. Waterfront restaurants afford pleasant views of the picturesque marina. Whale watching, kayak rentals, pedal boats, electric boats and harbor cruises can all be found here.
Watching The Boats In Ventura Harbor
Where To Stay
Camping:
Emma Wood State Beach has a group campground for RVs or tents and a family campground for RVs only.
To view available vacation home rentals online at VacationRentals.com, including pictures and detailed information, see Ventura Vacation Rentals.
Ventura Hotels:
See
Ventura California beach hotels
for a directory of places you can stay in this beach town. Some of the more popular ones include the Ventura Beach Marriot, the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach and the Four Points By Sheraton in Ventura Harbor.
Ventura California Events & Festivals
The Ventura Music Festival happens in early May at various venues around downtown. Each year there is a different theme.
The Ventura County Fair happens at the fairgrounds each August, lasting around 12 days. There are all kinds of shows and exhibits and rides. The Ventura County Fairgrounds are right across from the beach.
The WSA Ventura Tournament is a surfing competition sometimes held at Surfers Point.
About 15 minutes north on the 101 in Carpinteria, the annual California Avocado Festival draws huge crowds each October to enjoy food, music, fun and...avocados.
About 15 minutes in the other direction is Oxnard, where the annual Tall Ships Festival is held in Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.
Getting To Ventura
Ventura is right off the 101 freeway near the junction of the 126, which goes inland through the beautiful Heritage Valley towards Santa Clarita and the Interstate 5 freeway (about 45 minutes away).
McGrath State Beach May Be Saved One of many California State Parks and Beaches in danger of being closed this year due to lack of funding, McGrath's future looked dim. A recent grant for a quarter of a million dollars from the U.S. Department of Interior's Land and Water Conservation Fund, along with grants from individuals, Ventura County and the City of Oxnard have been donated. These funds will go a long way towards badly needed sewer repair on the site.
