Ventura, California

Ventura, California is a great place to explore the great outdoors. With its beautiful beaches, scenic trails, and plenty of outdoor activities, there is something to satisfy everyone. From hiking and biking to fishing and kayaking, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, there are plenty of outdoor attractions to explore. Popular attractions include the Ventura Pier, the Channel Islands National Park, and the Ojai Valley Trail. For those seeking a more peaceful experience, there are plenty of scenic trails to explore. The Topatopa Bluffs, the Ventura River Trail, and the Santa Clara River Trail are all great options. No matter what type of outdoor experience you seek, Ventura has something for you. So, come explore the best trails and outdoor activities Ventura has to offer.

Top Spots in and near Ventura

Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura Promenade

0.5 mi / 0 ft gain

The Ventura Promenade is a .5 mile long biking and walking trail that runs from the Ventura Pier to Sufer's Point, eventually connecting to the Ventura River & Ojai Bike Trail. It is also part of the the larger "Omer Rains Trail" which runs some 3.5 miles to the south through Buenaventura Sta...
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Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura, Santa Paula, and Ojai Loop

48.8 mi / 2081 ft gain

The Ventura - Ojai - Santa Paul loop is a classic half-century loop throughs some of the most beautiful cycling roads on the Central Coast. Beginning in Ventura and heading on the off-road (but paved) Ventura / Ojai trails, this loop then heads into downtown Ojai before following Ojai Valley Road...
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Ventura, California
Bike the Rincon Trail

5.0

28.4 mi / 720 ft gain

The Rincon Trail between Ventura and Santa Barbara is part of the wonderful Pacific Coast Bike Route, and features two-wave paved cycling lanes with beautiful views up and down the central coast. There are numerous places to stop along the way for food and relaxing, including the great seaside to...
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Ventura, California
Surf Ventura Point

4.0

Surfer’s Point, off Figueroa Street, includes one of California’s premier surfing and windsurfing spots. A landscaped promenade and the Omer Rains Bike Trail connect this sandy beach to the Ventura Pier. Promenade Park, next to the beach commemorates the site of an ancient Chumash village. Beach ...
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Ventura, California
Bike the Lake Casitas Loop

1.0

48.9 mi / 3635 ft gain

The Lake Casitas Loop s a fantastic cycling trail leading from Ventura, California through Ventura Canyon, around Lake Casitas and up over Casitas Pass, down through Rincon Canyon to the ocean and south on Rincon Trail back to Ventura. It covers almost all of the ecological zones and topographica...
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Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura River and Ojai Bike Trails

32.6 mi / 1030 ft gain

The Ventura River and Ojai Valley Trail, effectively the same trail, is a gorgeous 32 mile trail that runs from Seaside Park in Ventura to downtown Ojai. It runs along and across the Ventura River and through the Ventura Canyon, with views up and down numerous side canyons and ravines. The trail ...
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Ventura, California
Kiteboard Surfer's Point

Surfer's Point aka Ventura Point is a well-known kite boarding/surfing (and surfing) spot due to its (when conditions are right) great wave quality, favorable wind direction (sideshore with occasional side-off), friendly locals, rider capacity, and a nearby point break with. When conditions are e...
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Ventura, California
Stand Up Paddleboard the Ventura Harbor

The Ventura Harbor provides a protected entry/exit to the Pacific Ocean and is a great place to start a paddleboarding adventure. Marina Park, at the end of Pierpont Boulevard, has a ton of parking, a free public launch, and there are boards to rent along the harbor. From the launch you can head...
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Ventura, California
Backpack to Del Norte Campground on Santa Cruz Island

5.0

7 mi / 700 ft gain

Del Norte Backcountry Campground is located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the islands that makes up Channel Islands National Park. It is California's largest island and is almost three times the size of Manhattan. The easiest way to get to the island is to take Island Packers, a ferry service that...
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Emma Wood State Beach, California
Surf Emma Wood State Beach

3.0

Park your car along the famous Pacific Coast Highway and watch the waves roll in. Go out surfing, kiteboarding, swimming, or kayaking. Emma Wood State Beach is a fairly exposed beach and reef break that has reliable surf. Summer offers the most-favored conditions for surfing. Both breaks get cro...
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Ventura, California
Hike Arroyo Verde Park

3.5 mi / 800 ft gain

Arroyo Verde Park is a small parked tucked in the hills above Ventura, California, and has a network of trails running up and down the hills surrounding the valley in the center of the park. The entrance to the park is at the intersection of Foothill Road Day Road, east of downtown Ventura. There...
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Ventura, California
Cycle Santa Ana Road

6.5 mi / 500 ft gain

The Santa Ana to Lake Casitas via Foster Park segment of Santa Ana Road is a gorgeous, 6.5 mile road that cuts through the heart of Ventura Canyon. Santa Ana Road eventually ends at Casitas Road and the Lake Casitas Recreation Area. From there you can go west over over the pass and down to the Ri...
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Ventura, California
Bike the Sulphur Mountain Loop

28.6 mi / 2884 ft gain

The Sulphur Mountain Loop is a 28 mile cycling and mountain biking loop that begins in Ventura Canyon at the Sulphur Mountain Trailhead and loops through Ojai Valley. Beginning at the Sulphur Mountain Road trailhead off Highway 33, follow the road up and over Sulphur Mountain and down until it co...
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Ojai, California
Camp at Dennison Park in Ojai Valley

Great little campsite very close to the town of Ojai. My discovery of this gem was totally coincidental. I was trying to book a hotel room in Ojai; however, that particular weekend all the rooms that were within my budget were sold out. Instead of giving up, I looked for alternative options and ...
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Rincon Point, California
Surf Rincon Point

5.0

A cobblestone rocks cover a crescent shaped bay and a creek mouth spreads sand perfectly along the bay after a winter rain. Not to mention the indicator that refracts waves into the inside cove. It's no wonder famous surfers, such as Kelly Slater, Bobby Martinez, Tom Curren, Connor and Parker Cof...
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Ojai, California
Rock Climb at Foothill Crag

2 mi

From downtown Ojai, head north on N Signal Street. Head up the hill and turn left onto a gravel road next to a chainlink fence once you get to the top.(There should be a sign that points to "Pratt/Foothill Trailhead.") Continue past a water tank on the right to a trailhead parking area. I've gon...
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