Mussel Shoals Beach(Rincon Island Beach)

Located in the community of Mussel Shoals, Mussel Shoals Beach is a long and narrow beach situated in the northern part of Ventura County. A part of the beach is lined with a row of houses situated side-by-side and has light brown sand. The beach also has a gradual slope, and parts of Mussel Shoals Beach have been fixed with rocky embankments to prevent erosion. The southern part of the beach is narrower than its northern part, and there are also patches of vegetation on the beach. An artificial islet spread over two acres called Rincon Island (which was previously used for extracting oil) is present near Mussel Shoals Beach. This island is located around 3,000 feet away from mainland Ventura County and is connected to the mainland via an oil pier (known as Richfield Pier) situated near the southern end of Mussel Shoals Beach. However, it is important to note that both Richfield Pier and Rincon Island are currently off-limits to public. 

Mussel Shoals Beach does not have lifeguards or other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Dogs are allowed on leash here.

Mussel Shoals Beach offers many fun activities including swimming, beachcombing, fishing, sunbathing, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, surf skiing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching. If you are planning to go in the water at Mussel Shoals Beach, we recommend being careful since the water here is known to have dangerous rip currents and strong waves. Nevertheless, the water here is a great spot for wildlife watching as it is home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins and migrating grey whales (between December and April). Another popular activity in Mussel Shoals Beach is fishing - popular catches here include salto, corbina, and halibut.

Getting to Mussel Shoals Beach is easy – the entrance to the beach is located a short walk away from the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Breakers Way, where limited street parking is available (it is advisable to look out for signs demarcating private street areas in Mussel Shoals). We recommend being careful as the access point for the beach is rocky.

There are many attractions near Mussel Shoals Beach. Mission Basilica San Buenaventura is a Catholic mission and historical landmark featuring a museum and a gift shop. It also offers interesting tours around the mission premises, giving a unique insight into the early history of Southern California. Art City Studios features many art studios and showcases artworks by up-and-coming artists of Ventura County and Southern California. Seaside Wilderness Park features 24 acres of undeveloped coastal areas featuring a variety of landscapes including wetlands, sand dunes, and coastal scrub which can be explored via hiking trails. If you’re looking for another good attraction near Mussel Shoals Beach, Seaside Wilderness Parkis also a great bird watching spot.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near Mussel Shoals Beach. Casa Bella Prime Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant which offers excellent seafood and steaks. Shoals Restaurant offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves excellent gourmet seafood dishes. If you’re looking for a modestly priced restaurant near Mussel Shoals Beach, Spencer Makenzies’ Fish Company offers delicious seafood tacos, burritos, clam chowder and ceviches.

If you are looking for a hotel to stay near Mussel Shoals Beach, there are many great options nearby. The 4-Star Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn offers many amenities including a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a hot tub, an exercise room, and a garden. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star The Cliff House Inn which offers many amenities including a restaurant, a seasonal pool, a private beach club, and complimentary breakfast. If you’re looking for another affordable hotel near Mussel Shoals Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Sandyland Reef Inn offers many amenities including a pool and a hot tub.