Posted: Thursday, Mar 27th, 2025
Updated: Friday, Mar 28th, 2025
The Ultimate Ventura Travel Guide and California Road Trip
Worldclass surfing on an epic point break? ✅Kayaking through massive sea caves? ✅ A laid-back coastal escape where plans are optional, but adventure is inevitable? ✅ A taco district lined with authentic hole-in-the-wall taquerías? ✅ It’s time to cross some things off your California bucket list.
Ventura, California, has everything an adventurer dreams of: sunny coastlines, hiking trails with breathtaking views, and exploring the untouched beauty of Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, one of the least visited national parks in the country. Whether you’re exploring on foot, by bike, or by kayak, Ventura offers endless ways to play outside.
If you’re planning an epic California road trip, Ventura should definitely be a stop along the way. We’re an affordable beach getaway, and spontaneity runs in our DNA — it’s the perfect recipe for an unforgettable trip.
Now let’s get into it: read on for the ultimate Ventura travel guide!
Table of Contents
How to Get to Ventura
Situated between California’s major gateways, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Ventura is the hidden gem along the coast you’ve probably driven through but never stopped in.
Just 70 miles/112 kilometers from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 60 miles/96 kilometers from Hollywood Burbank Airport, and 36 miles/58 kilometers from Santa Barbara Airport, it’s easy to cruise up to Ventura from major airports nearby.
Or, if you’re taking the California road trip you’ve always dreamed of, Ventura is the perfect stop along iconic and coastal Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) and the 101-Freeway.
Last but certainly not least, see the California coast differently on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. Stretching as far south as San Diego and as far north as San Luis Obispo, the Pacific Surfliner train station is in the heart of Downtown Ventura, making it easy to jump off the train and step into your hotel room!
Learn more about getting to Ventura.
Weather in Ventura
If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Ventura is, you’re in luck: visiting Ventura is beautiful year-round.
With an average of 65℉/18℃ and an incredible average of 273 sunny days a year, you don’t have to worry about planning to visit during our ideal seasons. Whether you’re looking to visit during the summer, winter, spring, or fall, you’ll be able to enjoy everything Ventura has to offer both indoors and outdoors.
Things to Do in Ventura
From the mountains to the sea, there’s plenty of ways to find your fun in Ventura. Dive into Ventura’s rich history and vibrant arts & culture scene: take a sunset walk along the historic Ventura Pier (California’s oldest wooden pier), see a show at the Rubicon, or explore the beautiful murals across Ventura’s Westside neighborhood.
If adventure is calling, get ready to experience an outdoor lover’s playground. Ventura has a rich surf history and it’s easy to see why: with our consistent swell and beautiful beaches, we have the best conditions to catch waves. Surfers Point/C-Street is a great place to watch locals catch the ride of their life, or, if you’ve never set foot on a surfboard, Mondos is the certified beginners point break (more on beaches later).
Don’t miss out on Ventura’s epic mountain trails either. Harmon Canyon Preserve is a sanctuary of oak lined paths and great mountain biking trails, and Arroyo Verde Park calls those who are looking for a dose of adventure. For something a bit more relaxed, explore the Ventura Botanical Gardens which is home to over 100,000 plants representing all five Mediterranean climates or jump on a beach cruiser and bike along the Ventura Promenade for breathtaking views of the ocean.
Each of Ventura’s neighborhoods and communities hold something unique and special for every type of traveler. The Ventura Harbor Village is full of family-friendly waterside fun; Midtown Ventura is home to unique shops and eateries, Downtown Ventura is the heart of Ventura, and the Eastside of Ventura boasts plenty of breweries, wineries, and parks. Learn more about Ventura’s neighborhoods.
Beaches in Ventura
If you’re looking for a sunny beach getaway, you’ve come to the right place. Picture sandy flip flops, surfboards in the back of cars, and the Beach Boys blasting in the background. Welcome to the California vacation of your dreams.
Ventura is home to 30 miles of clean, uncrowded sandy beaches. You won’t have to fight for a spot on the sand to spread out and relax or spend hours finding parking.
San Buenaventura State Beach is a great place to start. With volleyball nets, picturesque jetties, and parking nearby, you can bring your whole family out for a fun day on the sand. Plus, on the weekends, make sure to stop by the Jolly Oyster for a unique oyster bar right on the beach. Mothers Beach is known for its gentle waves, excellent for little ones, and close proximity to the Ventura Harbor Village, where you can get some fresh seafood after a long but fun day on the beach.
Where to Eat and Drink in Ventura
10 craft breweries. Dozens of cocktail bars for your night out on the town. Comfortable dog-friendly outdoor dining with ocean views. A taco district with authentic, mouthwatering Mexican dishes. Killer hole-in-the-wall fish taco spots. Brunch and breakfast bars fitting for a Sunday morning. Family-friendly restaurants you’ll keep coming back to over and over again. Ventura’s food & drink scene is nothing short of extensive.
Whatever you’re craving, Ventura has you covered. If you’re planning a special occasion and looking for a restaurant to match the vibe, there’s a restaurant, brewery, cocktail bar, or taco shack calling your name.
Visiting the Channel Islands National Park
A trip to Ventura would be incomplete without visiting one of the least-visited national parks just off our coast. Dubbed the “Galapagos of North America,” visiting the Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary is like visiting a completely new world — incredible rugged island cliffs, the cutest furry island foxes you’ve ever seen, ginormous sea caves begging to be explored, and overnight camping under stars you’ve never seen so bright.
It’s easy to get to the Channel Islands National Park from Ventura. Book a day trip out to Santa Cruz Island (the largest of the five islands) through Island Packers and get ready for your adventure to begin the moment you step on the boat. Hundreds of dolphins will swim alongside your boat as sea lions sunbathe on bright red buoys. You never know what you’ll see on the ride out to the islands — an orca? A humpback whale? — and that’s the fun of it.
Places to Stay: Ventura Hotels
Is it possible to plan a beach vacation without breaking the bank? In Ventura, it’s a resounding yes.
Ventura has budget-friendly hotels just blocks from the beach and luxury boutique hotels that will make your vacation truly memorable. If you’re looking to really maximize your budget, book mid-week during shoulder seasons (aka fall, winter, and spring).
Off the Beaten Path: Unique Things in Ventura
Dino tanks, a hidden Italian restaurant where John Lennon once sang at, a larger-than-life fig tree that once served as a backdrop for President Teddy Roosevelt’s campaign speech… there are a lot of unique and quirky things all across Ventura. You may stumble upon a few hidden gems as you go about your day in town, but you can really dig into all the interesting twists and turns if you know where to look.
If you’re looking for unique things to do and see in town, Ventura is full of random, unexpected quirks just waiting to be discovered. We’re a historic beach town, filled with rich culture, colorful art, remarkable people, and, well, a whole lot of fun. There’s more that meets the eye — come see for yourself!
Things to Do
Family Fun
Ventura Shopping
Arts, Culture & History
Pet Friendly
Hotels
Parking
Outdoors
Beaches & Surfing
Biking & Hiking Trails
Bird Watching
Food & Drink
Restaurants
Farmers Markets
Discover More
Get to know Ventura, and discover the best things to do around the city.
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