Ventura Beach Camping
Discover Ventura County's beachside camping spots!
In between Los Angeles County on the south, and Santa Barbara on the north, you'll find the pleasant county of Ventura.
There are 3 state beaches in Ventura which offer outdoors-lovers the opportunity to enjoy a stay along the Pacific Ocean's shore. These are the McGrath State Beach campgrounds, the Emma Wood State Beach RV campground, and the Point Mugu State Park.
Each of these campgrounds offers guests a certain similarity. All three are located in less-populated areas than the campgrounds further south; you'll feel more "isolated" here and have less competition for your spot on the sands with day-use visitors. However, there are also distinct differences between these 3 camping areas. On this page, we'll talk about the experiences you may have if you choose one of these campsites.
Ventura Beach Camping--McGrath State Beach
The McGrath State Beach camping area is a good, general-purpose family campground. Topping the list of amenities that everyone enjoys is the campground's bathroom facilities. Parents, in particular, enjoy is the fact that McGrath State Beach has flush toilets and showers, which makes it much easier to get the brood clean and ready for bed after spending a day at the beach. Another "plus" is that McGrath is somewhat "away from it all," yet is still close to town. If you need supplies, just hop in the car and head to the stores in either Ventura or Oxnard. Telephones are available at the campground, as well.
McGrath State Beach offers level camping sites, making it easy to arrive, set up, and get on to other activities. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate. Some campsites are well-shaded and screened from other campers; other spots are more out-in-the-open. There are large grassy areas for group camping available.
One drawback at McGrath State Beach is that there are sand dunes between the campground and the beach. Thus, you won't be able to see the ocean from your campsite! And, you'll have to hike a bit to hit the beach. Without being able to camp on the beach...or at least SEE if from a bluff, like at some other California state beaches...the McGrath campground seems "less scenic" than some other camping spots along the coast. However, the beach itself is wonderful. There's a wide strip of clean sand, and you'll get a nice view of the Channel Islands.
In the off-season, you may find very few fellow-campers at McGrath SB, particularly on week-days. However, McGrath State Beach DOES fill up quickly during the summer months, and you WILL need to make reservations in advance.
Both tents and RV's are welcome at the McGrath State Beach campground. There is a 34 ft maximum length limit for motorhomes, and a 30 ft max length limit for trailers and pop-up campers. All camping spots for RVs are "back-in" style; there are no pull-through camping spots at McGrath. An RV dump is available on-premises; however, there are no hookups available.
Family camping fees (individual sites) are $35 year-round. The fee covers your rig and one vehicle. Up to 3 cars are allowed at one campsite, but extra cars must pay the park's day-use fee.
The McGrath State Beach address is: 2211 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard CA 93030. This location is 5 miles south of the town of Ventura. The McGrath State Beach phone number is (805) 654-4744.
Map to McGrath State Beach: If you would like to plan your route to the McGrath SB Campground, you may use the upcoming link to view a
Yahoo map to McGrath State Beach in Ventura County, California.
McGrath camping reservations and campground map: You might enjoy viewing the following map of the campsite layout at McGrath State Beach. This map, part of the Reserve America website, can show you both the layout of the camping loops as well as the site-by-site details of the McGrath State Beach camping grounds. While you're at the Reserve America website, it would be a good idea to make reservations for your camping space. The more popular time of year that you plan to camp (such as summer vacation and holiday periods) then the sooner you need to make reservations.
You can also find a PDF map of the McGrath SB campsites in the McGrath State Beach printable online brochure.
McGrath State Beach website: If you would like still further information about this campground, or if you would like to make reservations, then you may use the following link to access the main page of the McGrath State Beach website, which is actually a section of the California State Parks official site.
Ventura Beach Camping--Emma Wood State Beach
Among RVers, though, the Emma Wood campground is a favorite: it accepts longer rigs than many of the state parks in the area. At Emma Wood, your motorhome may be up to 45 ft in length; same for your trailer, too. There are no hookups at Emma Wood; this is parking lot-style camping, but with a pretty view.
The Emma Wood State Beach address is 900 W Main Street, Ventura CA 93001. The Emma Wood State Beach phone number is 805-968-1033.
Map to Emma Wood State Beach: You may use the following link to view a Google map to the Emma Wood State Beach and camping grounds.
Emma Wood SB camping reservations and campground map: You may also wish to check out the following Emma Wood SB camping map from the Reserve America website. (You'll also be able to make your reservations while you're visiting the Reserve America web pages...which is a good idea if your camping trip will be during one of the busy times of year.)
If you would like further details about this Ventura County RV campground, you may follow the upcoming link to visit the
Emma Woods State Beach official website.
Ventura Beach Camping--Pt. Mugu State Park
Do you love rocky, rugged coastlines? As you can see in the picture of Point Mugu State Park to your left, that's what you'll find at this beautiful California State campground. As the Pacific Coast Highway heads south towards the Malibu area, the sandy beaches of Ventura give way to rocky cliffs. Yes, there IS a sand beach at the Point Mugu State Park...but it's relatively small.
Nevertheless, the rocky coastline makes for some stunning views. It's enjoyable to simply watch the waves breaking onto the boulders and listen to the sounds of seagulls overhead. Still, there's more to do at Point Mugu than watch the tide roll in.
Point Mugu State Park has a woodsy section in addition to its oceanfront area.
Point Mugu's Sycamore Canyon offers plenty of trails for both hiking and mountain biking, giving guests two vacations in one: both beach and mountain activities. Plus, this beach is the most isolated of the three Ventura County beach campgrounds. Not only will you FEEL "away from it all," you actually WILL be away from it all! (Or, at least as far away from things as you can get in coastal Southern California!)
The Point Mugu State Park address is: 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265. The Point Mugu SP phone number is (818) 880-0350.
Point Mugu State Park Directions: This location is reached by taking the Pacific Coast Hwy for about 15+ miles south of Oxnard. As you can see in the photo to your right, signs clearly mark your arrival at the park. Here's a Yahoo map to Malibu's Point Mugu State Park.
Point Mugu campsite description: There are 2 camping areas: the parking lot-style Thornhill Broome Beach area (with ocean views) and the Sycamore Canyon area, with a sheltered, woodsy feel. Both tents and RV's are accepted at Point Mugu SP. There is a 31 ft limit to the length of motorhomes and trailers. Wifi service is available. If you're looking for beauty, this park has it in abundance.
Point Mugu SB reservations and campsite map: You may wish to view a Point Mugu State Park campground map which shows both the Thornhill Broom Beach campground and the Sycamore Canyon campground.
If you'd like further information about this much-loved beach camping area, you may use the following link to browse through the
Point Mugu State Beach official website.
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