Ventura State Beach

If only we good live here!!! Stopped by on my road trip. Great big beach for dogs, where you can leave them off leash. No body said anything, and locals told me if was okay to leave ur dog off leash. Definitely better than Santa Barbara because 1. Way less crowded, 2. Not as expensive, 3. Very dog friendly town, 4. there is a great hiking trail, 5. Friendly locals, 6. Easy parking, 7. I just loved it
I will definitely go back as I have promised myself and my german shepherd a 2 day trip just for Ventura!

Nice and relaxing, during my 3 day visit the beach was never crowded. Beautiful and sandy and the water temperature was perfect and depending on location along shore either ran into rocks 5 to 10′ out or it was clear. Very well maintained and the restroom wasn’t far.

Such a great beach! We come here a few times to catch the sunset and always have a blast! This year we spent Valentine’s day dinner here with a pizza and the sunset. It was perfect! The beach is big, clean and pet friendly.

We had so much fun in Ventura!
Eclectic antique shops, lots of fun & unique small businesses (which we love to see), plenty of «thrift» stores for wonderful causes, tons of yummy food, beautiful beaches, and so much more! Though we did not partake, one can rent bikes. If you are interested in gaining a historical perspective, there are museums and a beautiful mission.
The town is dog friendly. Most restaurants and shops had water dishes outside. Many even allowed dogs inside or on the patio.

Enormous state beach. Always a place to catch waves. Dog friendly. Ample parking and amenities. Walking distance to a variety of restaurants and shopping.

Most beautiful place to live. Take great walks with my husband. Feeling blessed to live here.

Beautiful weather and ocean. There’s less sand than I expected but it was probably due to the area we went to. There was a lot of rocks to climb down. Did not know the tides could get so high. We had fun running away from the coming tides and racing to keep out things from getting wet

I recently discovered this place and came two days in a row!
The water is clean and the color of the water reminded of me of the waters of Hawaii as the waves crashed.
The beach is uncrowded and parking is free in the lot for two hours. Similar to the feel of the uncrowded, secret beach I go to in Malibu, except this one has restrooms and a shower.
One of those places that gives you a feeling of a vacation. It’s a laid back environment and a low key crowd that doesn’t feel like anything like LA. The reason I love the Oxnard and Ventura areas.
Only a 45 minute drive from home to escape the Valley heat. The Valley was a scorching 104 degrees and decided to cool off at the beach. Once we arrived in the Camarillo area, it was overcast, gloomy, and a temperature was very cool at 75 degrees.
One of the many secret beaches I love in Oxnard and Ventura. My favorite quick escapes out of LA.

Nice beach not to many people there.

Beautiful beaches and village of shops. Ran a half marathon here and was a treat to be along the coast the whole way and among the public. A little on the crowded side, but what do you expect with such a great attraction.

Ventura has beautiful beaches, and a georgeous harbor, it’s clean and always fun to go to.
Great parking, good food, and drinks
You can bring your dog on a leash and have a blast.

This is a popular surf spot for Ventura. The parking only cost 2 dollars and you can bring some lawn chairs and just take in the crashing surf. Personally, I like to get out there practice paddling, and fingers crossed I get up on the board with some great sets. My wife enjoys people watching as pedestrians cycle or walk up and down the promenade as well as laughing at my attempts of doing what I love (surfing). This is a great way to relax and have fun without spending a fortune.

Very nice and quiet beach. Beautiful sand and awesome waves. Great park with lots of picnic areas and fun play area for kids.

A less crowded option than around the pier is the state beach. I have a state park pass so I avoid the $ 10 parking fee for the lot near San Jon Road, or the state park picnic area at the end of Pierpont. I used to visit this beach as a kid and it is still a great place to beach walk, swim, play volleyball, and watch a sunset, which I do frequently like almost every night I am in town.

Very nice quiet beach — we didn’t venture too far from our hotel but just that proportion alone was very nice.
Definitely not a lot of people but then again it was kind of cloudy and cold last weekend. Perhaps more people when it’s actually hot and sunny.
Interesting thing with this beach is that the shore is super short — in some areas there aren’t that much space in between the ocean and the beach. and in some portions it’s rocky with stairs leading directly into the water.
We mostly walked on the pavement — didn’t really want to get sandy and wet but it was still very pleasant and relaxing. They don’t have a lot to do — only a children playground but I didn’t see any volleyball courts or grills or bonfire pits. especially areas where the shore is very short.
Nonetheless it was kind of nice — we also walked to the end of the pier — which was very dirty (bird crap everywhere!) but I guess good for people who are fishing.

This beach is great! It was the beach my mom took us to as kids. She would rescue us from the high temps of the desert to cooler and overcast climate of Ventura. Loading the station wagon with the siblings and friends to risk the perils of «Dead Man’s Road». Thank GOD they made the 126 wider and safer. Sunburns. Sun in. The picnics. The times we went in sweat pants when it was cold. The time my mom found a box of rubbers under the pier.
Ventura feels like home. Mom made it our summer home. As an adult person I truly enjoy this beach. I actually prefer it over the southern beaches.
You can pack your lunch or head to fine dining off Thompson or Main Street. Café Fiore is one amazing place within walking distance of the beach. Busy Bee café is a great place to eat after a visit to the beach.
Do yourself a favor and visit Ventura!

Wonderful state beach with lifeguard on duty. Sand is clean, the crowds are everywhere else and there are public restrooms and an outside shower to rinse off.
If you are looking for a pier or for shopping go a couple miles down to the Ventura Pier. If you are looking for a nice place to come with your family and enjoy the water and view this is your place.