Best Camping Beaches In Ventura

24 / 7

Emma Wood State Beach

United States, California, Ventura

Emma Wood State Beach is a picturesque coastal destination located in Ventura, California, on the Santa Barbara Channel. It offers a serene environment with sandy shores, rocky tide pools, and diverse wildlife, making it a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The beach is named after Emma Grubb Wood, a prominent figure in Ventura's history, and it was established as a state beach in 1957. Visitors can enjoy activities like swimming, surfing, and fishing, while also exploring the nearby Ventura River estuary, which attracts a variety of birds and other wildlife.
The beach features a primitive campground for recreational vehicles, though it lacks hookups for RVs. Additionally, remnants of World War II artillery installations are present, adding a historical dimension to the site.
Emma Wood State Beach is easily accessible by car and offers stunning ocean views, making it an ideal spot for both day trips and extended stays.

24 / 7

Emma Wood State Beach – North Beach

United States, California, Ventura

Located a few miles west of the city of Ventura, Emma Wood State Beach - North Beach is situated along the southern Ventura County coastline. Emma Wood State Beach - North Beach is a part of an oceanfront state park known as Emma Wood State Beach. The beach is narrow, has light brown sand, and is located near a state park campground. Parts of the beach also have rocky man-made embankments to prevent erosion.

24 / 7

4.1

Mcgrath State Beach

United States, California, Ventura

To access McGrath State Beach, you will need to walk one mile north or south from Mandalay State Beach or Surfer’s Knoll Beach. If you are camping, you can find the campground’s entrance on North Harbor Boulevard between W Gonzales Road and Olivas Park Drive. Another way to access McGrath State Beach is parking in front of a gated road signed "State 735 Tank Battery" on the south side of the campground entrance and walking a few yards west to the beach.Located in the city of Oxnard, McGrath State Beach is a two-mile-long and wide beach situated at the point where the Santa Clara River meets the North Pacific Ocean. McGrath State Beach is a natural preserve and is protected by a state park of the same name and Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve. McGrath State Beach is on the north side of McGrath Lake and is a well-known destination for birdwatching.