Ventura pier is a long walk over the ocean. Offering cool breezes, the smell of fish and lots of…read morepelicans and seagulls hoping for a bite. I spent many cool summers here as a kid fishing with my dad. The slits in between the wood used to be a lot longer when I was a kid. The pier is a great way to get away from the world. Sometimes you can catch sight of dolphins and seals.

I visited there two days after that Ventura-to-Barstow CHP chase, where a Subaru drove 200 miles in…read moretwo hours while being pursued by the CHP the entire way. Even NBC 7's helicopter eventually ran out of fuel while trying to film the event! It took me almost an hour in the morning to drive from Pasadena to Ventura Beach. I set the GPS to navigate to the pier, where there is a garage nearby. I drove in and found it completely unattended; the fee booth was empty. After driving around inside, I found an outdoor parking lot that was even closer to the pier. There was no one at the entrance, likely because it is the "off-season." It was less than 20 meters from the parking lot to the wooden steps of the pier. There were fewer than 20 people on the pier that morning, even though it was nearly 8:00 AM. The restaurant wasn't open yet, and they likely don't open during this time of year. Walking on the pier is very peaceful, even if the sound of the sea is quite loud. The public restrooms were clean as well. It is a wonderful break to have on the drive from Los Angeles to San Jose. My recommendation: go there early during the quiet season.

Went for a walk along the water. Very calm and peaceful. Saw lots of family's enjoying their day…read more Not overpacked or too busy. Would go back.

Very easy access I was shocked Wasn't too busy and perfect for family and friends. Of course, it…read moreis a prominent surfer beach so you'll see a lot of surfer traffic walking back up and down. Bars and restaurants within walking distance- overall beautiful views! I love the salty beach air, but if you're not into that, might not be your favorite. Either way you'll LOVE it no matter what. I already Miss it!!!

Cruisin' for a Bruisin'…read more The only way to get to Channel Islands National Park is by boat. And, unless you're Captain Stubing, Jr. and own your own vessel, then Island Packer Cruises is the official partner of the NPS to transport visitors between the mainland and the island. The Good: * Currently offering services to Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and San Miguel Island. * Staff was friendly and helpful based on the minimal interactions we had with them. * Covered and uncovered seating on the boats, but you'll want to bring a hat regardless. * If you're lucky, you'll spot some dolphins and/or whales along the way. * Manage bookings online through their website. * They do send out emails updating you on the weather status and such in case there might be a chance of cancellations. * Prices vary depending on what you want to do, but they range from $15 per person to several hundred per person for 12-hour cruises. The average is probably around $70-100 each, though, which isn't bad for a round trip. * They do have a snack bar complete with beers on tap on the boat, so if you need some extra goodies to take along with you, now is your chance. I'm sure the prices are obscene, but you're in the middle of the ocean; you pay or you don't. The Meh: * They noodge you for tips on the way out. Listen, I get it. Times are tough, but maybe raise prices a touch instead of noodging customers for remuneration. The Ugly: * No service currently to Santa Barbara Island due to dock damage. * If you are visiting during the storm season, then there's a very good chance your trip might get canceled, at which point you can choose to get a refund or take a credit for a future trip. This happened to us this past December, but luckily we're only a few hours away, so it wasn't a big deal to rebook for this summer. Conclusion: The only way to the Channel Islands and it's a fun ride. Book it!

This was an amazing ferry and crew! Laura, Marc, Danny and Felisha were listed as crew. We stopped…read moreonce on the way to Santa Cruz Island as we saw a breach whale. Amazing to witness. Santa Cruz Island was beautiful. The air here is pristine. I felt sick when I woke up with a headache and a little weird on the ship but the second I stepped onto that island the fresh air took me to 100%, and I was totally fine on the way back. We hiked the trail to the right as you get off and had amazing views at the top. Unfortunately it was difficult to get a reservation to be able to go, stay a few hours and leave on another ship. Everything was booked like 2 weeks out. The only availability was a boat in that arrived late because we stopped for the whale (worth it!) at 3:45, and we had to board to get back on at 4:30. Wish we had more time, but it was worth the trip. They must be a popular ferry because it's difficult to book what you want unless you book way in advance. The ferry stopped again on the way back to Ventura to pick up a balloon so the dolphins don't eat it, and when we took off again a pod of dolphins were surfing in the waves from our boat... SO COOL!!! Some of them right next to the boat. We would definitely use this company again, maybe book in advance next time we travel here, but we would try to see another island next time. An excellent experience.

Definitely the spot to enjoy the ocean waves, hear the seagulls, and smell the sea. I saw many…read morepeople walking, surfing and sitting in parked cars along the beach. This is a great place to contemplate the future or sit and relish the moment.

This sweet spot on Hwy 1 just before Solimar used to be old Highway 101 when I was a kid. Waves…read moreused to crash up on the seawall, but now 101 is way above on the hill on the other side of the railroad tracks, and Hwy 1 is a scenic loop. It is the quickest free beach access north of Ventura, and even better new railing and ramps down to the beach have been recently added. On weekdays you can find a parking spot and enjoy a wide sandy beach at low tide without a scramble down boulders like in the old days. The Spot and Emma Wood Beach have been part of my life since I was six (a long, long time ago) and is a fitting 'spot' for my 300th Yelp review.

Great spot in Ventura county. Lots of parking (need to pay)…read more Inlet had shallow spots great for families with smaller children. I was in attendance of a blessing for haumāna by a Kumu Hula. Lots of paddlers out early in the morning. Also some folks training for triathlon. Volleyball courts. Sand dunes. Nice local spot. Clean beach.

Always a "go to" spot for us! Beautiful beach! Clean! Soft sand and great location right across…read morefrom the Harbor Village! There's a small parking lot with public restrooms and if that's full there's plenty of parking on the street or across the street as the Harbor Village lot is huge! I have to say...growing up in LA Ive always been a Malibu/Zuma Beach girl but the beaches in Ventura and Oxnard-Mandalay Shores and Hollywood Beach are much nicer-cleaner! Quieter and free parking too! Highly recommend! Local or visitor! Welcome to Ventura!

Grant Park in Santa Barbara is seriously so pretty The views of the coastline are amazing and it's…read moresuch a great spot to just stop and take everything in. At the top there's a big cross that makes it feel really peaceful and kind of special. There are also a few different trails you can walk, some easy, some a bit more of a hike, plus little fun details along the way like bird statues. It's a great place whether you want to hike, chill, or just enjoy the view. Super relaxing overall and definitely worth checking out if you're in Santa Barbara

Dear Hubby and I took a drive out to Ventura for my birthday, which happened to be mid-week this…read moreyear. Big hooray - it was sunny; no fog in sight. It was on the coolish side, but the abundance of sunshine made it seem warmer. We had an early dinner down on Main Street. Where we parked there was a sign indicating that the eastern entrance to Grant Park was nearby. We had been up there perhaps only once in the past, and we'd gone in from the west. The drive up in the late afternoon / early evening had the golden glow magic to it. The light was amazing! I was driving and marveling at every twist and turn on the roadway while ascending the hills. The wildflowers and green groundcover from winter's rains made the scenery even more breathtaking than it might be when the grasses start to turn golden instead of green. I was able to drive all the way to the top parking lot, which overlooks the Serra Cross, and the entire Ventura coastline. The view encompasses the pier, the harbor, then beyond out to Channel Islands Harbor, Port Hueneme, and the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains. It solidified my feelings in that moment of gratitude for enjoying life in Ventura County for the past 40 years. A gorgeous view on a clear day can do that for a person. When a sunny day happens, and the winds are calm, I can recommend taking a drive up to the top of Grant Park to make some of your daily cares seem very small. Looking down on the city / county from on high helped lift my spirits and added joy to my birthday celebrations.

I like walking this area. You pay for parking or you can pay you can park on San Pedro St. Parking…read moreis limited on the street so you'll likely have to pay. There's camping here too. I usually come to this state Beach for different events, such as different walks and fundraisers. I start my walk here and walk all along the Ventura Promenade ! The bathrooms are not the cleanest, no soap to wash your hands but there's running water :) I do prefer Oxnard Beach as cleaner.

California State Beaches are the best and San Buenaventura is a great spot. Plenty of parking,…read morenearby bathrooms, lots of beach space and a park if you want less sand to play on. Wish they would rake it more often the beach can get lots of drift wood and spent seaweed but it's not terrible. Grab your beach chairs, frisbee and sunscreen and enjoy

I really loved this National Park! Not too far from LA in Ventura and you have to take a ferry to…read moreget to it. Your America the Beautiful Pass does not work for the ferry. We went in January so the greenery was still that winter brown but it was not very busy which is nice. We decided to do a kayaking tour with the Santa Barbara Adventure Group so they booked our ferry times for us. Beware of the specific ferry times cause if you miss it your S.O.O.L After the kayaking tour we got to walk a little bit around parts of the island before heading to the ferry. On the way home on the ferry we say killer whales which was truly mesmerizing! One of the best things I've ever seen.

We visited the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center and we definitely weren't disappointed!…read moreThere was so much for our nine-year-old to enjoy. He received a Junior Ranger packet with activities to complete, and once he finished, he was officially sworn in as a Junior Ranger. He even got a little wooden badge, which was such a cute touch! The visitor center is also in a great location, right by the Ventura Harbor, with plenty of places to grab ice cream, eat, or do a little shopping. The whole area was clean, nice, and easy to walk around. Such a fun and family-friendly stop, especially if you have kids who love adventures and earning Junior Ranger badges!