Ventura, California
Ventura, California is a great place to explore the great outdoors. With its beautiful beaches, scenic trails, and plenty of outdoor activities, there is something to satisfy everyone. From hiking and biking to fishing and kayaking, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, there are plenty of outdoor attractions to explore. Popular attractions include the Ventura Pier, the Channel Islands National Park, and the Ojai Valley Trail. For those seeking a more peaceful experience, there are plenty of scenic trails to explore. The Topatopa Bluffs, the Ventura River Trail, and the Santa Clara River Trail are all great options. No matter what type of outdoor experience you seek, Ventura has something for you. So, come explore the best trails and outdoor activities Ventura has to offer.
Top Spots in and near Ventura
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Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura Promenade
0.5 mi / 0 ft gainThe Ventura Promenade is a .5 mile long biking and walking trail that runs from the Ventura Pier to Sufer's Point, eventually connecting to the Ventura River & Ojai Bike Trail. It is also part of the the larger "Omer Rains Trail" which runs some 3.5 miles to the south through Buenaventura Sta...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura, Santa Paula, and Ojai Loop
48.8 mi / 2081 ft gainThe Ventura - Ojai - Santa Paul loop is a classic half-century loop throughs some of the most beautiful cycling roads on the Central Coast. Beginning in Ventura and heading on the off-road (but paved) Ventura / Ojai trails, this loop then heads into downtown Ojai before following Ojai Valley Road...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Rincon Trail
5.028.4 mi / 720 ft gainThe Rincon Trail between Ventura and Santa Barbara is part of the wonderful Pacific Coast Bike Route, and features two-wave paved cycling lanes with beautiful views up and down the central coast. There are numerous places to stop along the way for food and relaxing, including the great seaside to...Read more -
Ventura, California
Surf Ventura Point
4.0Surfer’s Point, off Figueroa Street, includes one of California’s premier surfing and windsurfing spots. A landscaped promenade and the Omer Rains Bike Trail connect this sandy beach to the Ventura Pier. Promenade Park, next to the beach commemorates the site of an ancient Chumash village. Beach ...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Lake Casitas Loop
1.048.9 mi / 3635 ft gainThe Lake Casitas Loop s a fantastic cycling trail leading from Ventura, California through Ventura Canyon, around Lake Casitas and up over Casitas Pass, down through Rincon Canyon to the ocean and south on Rincon Trail back to Ventura. It covers almost all of the ecological zones and topographica...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura River and Ojai Bike Trails
32.6 mi / 1030 ft gainThe Ventura River and Ojai Valley Trail, effectively the same trail, is a gorgeous 32 mile trail that runs from Seaside Park in Ventura to downtown Ojai. It runs along and across the Ventura River and through the Ventura Canyon, with views up and down numerous side canyons and ravines. The trail ...Read more -
Ventura, California
Kiteboard Surfer's Point
Surfer's Point aka Ventura Point is a well-known kite boarding/surfing (and surfing) spot due to its (when conditions are right) great wave quality, favorable wind direction (sideshore with occasional side-off), friendly locals, rider capacity, and a nearby point break with. When conditions are e...Read more -
Ventura, California
Stand Up Paddleboard the Ventura Harbor
The Ventura Harbor provides a protected entry/exit to the Pacific Ocean and is a great place to start a paddleboarding adventure. Marina Park, at the end of Pierpont Boulevard, has a ton of parking, a free public launch, and there are boards to rent along the harbor. From the launch you can head...Read more -
Ventura, California
Camp at the Water Canyon Campground in the Channel Islands NP
1.5 miYou can get a wonderfully detailed description of what to expect from the Channel Islands/Santa Rosa Island and how to get there from fellow Explorer Michael Wigle's "Beach camp on Santa Rosa Island" adventure (which I highly recommend you check out for the information and the photography https:/...Read more -
Ventura, California
Hike the North Bluff Trail to Potato Harbor
5 miThe 5-mile North Bluff Trail traverses the colossal cliffs of Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park from Scorpion Anchorage to Potato Harbor. Arrive via an Island Packers boat to Scorpion Anchorage and, upon disembarking, walk straight ahead. Just past the restrooms (one of only two ...Read more -
Ventura, California
Hike to Cavern Point & Potato Harbor
5 miTucked away in the Pacific Ocean just 25 mile from the coast, the Channel Islands are one of Southern California’s hidden gems. With towering cliffs and isolated beaches that hug the coast, this place makes you feel worlds away from home. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five islands...Read more -
Ventura, California
Hike East Anacapa Island of the Channel Islands
2 miLeaving from either Ventura or Oxnard via Island Packers, this full-day hike is in the middle of the Santa Barbara Channel on a small island, about one hour from Los Angeles by car and one additional hour by boat. Without a beach on which to anchor, your boat will pull into Landing Cove and idle ...Read more -
Ventura, California
Camp at Scorpion Ranch, Channel Islands NP
4.00.5 miAccessible only by Ferry, this little known national park is a backpackers dream. You can catch the ferry out of Ventura or Santa Barbara, only a short distance from LA. The ride to the island is around 1 hour.We chose to take Island Packers Ferry out of Ventura to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry le...Read more -
Ventura, California
Backpack to Del Norte Campground on Santa Cruz Island
5.07 mi / 700 ft gainDel Norte Backcountry Campground is located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the islands that makes up Channel Islands National Park. It is California's largest island and is almost three times the size of Manhattan. The easiest way to get to the island is to take Island Packers, a ferry service that...Read more -
Ventura, California
Hike to Chinese Harbor on Santa Cruz Island
14.2 mi / 750 ft gainThe hike to Chinese Harbor is a 14.2 mile out-and-back hike from Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island or a much more manageable 8 mile out-and-back hike from Del Norte backcountry campground. If you are spending the day on the island curtesy of Island Packers, a trek to Chinese Harbor might be d...Read more -
Emma Wood State Beach, California
Surf Emma Wood State Beach
3.0Park your car along the famous Pacific Coast Highway and watch the waves roll in. Go out surfing, kiteboarding, swimming, or kayaking. Emma Wood State Beach is a fairly exposed beach and reef break that has reliable surf. Summer offers the most-favored conditions for surfing. Both breaks get cro...Read more
Camping and Lodging in Ventura
Santa Paula, California
Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday
Delight in the incredible Southern California landscape with majestic oaks and giant sycamore trees shading RV, Deluxe Cabin, safari tent...
Ojai, California
Wheeler Gorge
Overview
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great place for families to explore the Los Padres National Forest all year long. Informative tour...
Ojai, California
Holiday Group Campground
Overview
Holiday Group Campground is a relaxing location to enjoy nature all year long; a quick escape from the bustle of the city. It pr...
Smugglers Road
Santa Cruz Scorpion
Overview
Fantastic ocean views and relaxing beach time is practically guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon Campground, the most family-friendly...
Ventura, California
Anacapa Island
Overview
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground p...
Ventura, California
Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Overview
For a truly remote getaway full of backpacking and breathtaking scenery, take a backcountry trip to Santa Cruz Island's Del Nort...
