emma wood state beach

This campground is literally steps to the beach from your campsite. Sites are adequate, on gravel beach base, but you really have to work at levelling your unit when you arrive. But it is all worth it. Pelicans fish all day long in front of you. Cons: No dump station, rules of the park are not enforced. Dogs were running lose as the park people drove by without a comment. Also generators are to be off at 8 pm... again not enforced and are annoying later in the evening. Camped in a motorhome, would return again.

This was a typical state beach. There is plenty of expensive parking and it was not close enough to just go out and see the water for a 15-minute pass.

I enjoyed visiting Emma Wood State Beach again today. The weather today was stellar. There were many surfers. People were enjoying camping. And the ranger station said - keep one's eye open for dolphins as they had seen frequent sightings today. I enjoyed watching it all and relaxing in my camp chair in the sun.There is a day use fee or if one has an annual California State Park Permit, one can visit as often one likes within a year of purchase of the permit.

My family LOVED camping here. Get acquainted with the map of the campground before you book. Depending on the spot you get, you can have direct access to water, no access at all, or what for us was a perfect spot -- rocks blocking direct access to the water yet interesting enough to occupy kids with looking for shells, crabs, and various sea creatures. It offered me a piece of mind that my kids (ages 7, 7, and 2) were not just going to run out to the water), and that a sandy beach was just 8 spots down and 6 feet of rocks across away. The beach has the usual appeal of water and sand, but there are also lots of tidepools with anemonies, sea snails, crabs, etc. for kids to explore. As we pulled into the campground, we saw seals and dolphins in the water. The Pacific Surfliner tracks are about 20 yards away, and for little train lovers, it was a sure delight to see the trains go by. I cannot wait to come back.

friendly campers, great view, awesome waves. Highly recommend. We live in Ventura but love getting away here. We pack a lunch and bottle of wine and off we go to spend the day basking in the sun and watching the dolphin play!

We have been driving by this beach campsite for many years and finally decided to stop and camp there. We did make reservations as you will need to in the summer time. You are right on the water in fact we were only feet away from the surf and the sound of the waves at night was wonderful. It is off the freeway and the train tracks are right behind you but you won't hear them if you have you windows off the ocean open. This is a no frills campground, no real restrooms, showers or any other comforts it is boon docking at its best so be prepared. Those who come here all the time are quick to warn you of thieves who come in at night and steal bikes, generators and anything else you may leave out so be prepared to lock your stuff up or take it in at night. Ventura seems to have a large homeless population situated nearby so be aware. We didn't have a problem as we brought or locked all up but the guy next to us had his bikes stolen even though he was warned, he didn't heed the warning. Campsites are close no tents allowed, some sites are hard to see the ocean as there is a seawall separating you from the beach, some sites have sand and some have a lot of large rocks so check out www.campsitephotos.com before picking your site. Firepits are built from rocks and added to over the years but if you wanted you can bring your own pit. Remember this is no frills so be prepared no water or dump site at campground either. Ventura pier and town are within biking distance or if you like walking you can do that too. We will be adding this to our list of must go campgrounds. Happy Camping.

Very nice beach with good parking area for RV's and campers. Some areas are rocky and others are very nice sand.

This is literally camping on the beach. We tried to get in at Hobson & Faria, (this is better by far if you like rural camping & not cramped around in a circle). It's a very long stretch of sites (about 90 of them) along the sea front. There are no facilities etc a stone fire pit . There is constant noise from the road (not so much at night) and a rail track behind, but the trains are very few & not high speed. Don't let those 2 factors put you off. There are rocks, small sandy beaches & small tide pools at low tide. The noise of the crashing waves is fantastic & an amazing view. If you"re a surfer the lower number sites are probably better as that stretch has less rocks. Our site 27 was perfect to walk on the beach & paddle or swim. You would pay hundreds of dollars for this position in a hotel or villa, but only $40 a night here!

Unfortunately there are not many places in Summer in Southern California that you can drive right up to the beach, park for free and have a good time. This is it. Driving from LA , get off at the "State Beaches" exit, which is the coast highway. You go past a small area on a knoll, over the railroad tracks and then down to the beach level. Park anywhere, take your towels and boogie boards and spend the day at the beach for free.

We visited friends camping here. The view is breathtaking and they saw whales every day. The surfing is phenomenal is most spots and there is a spot a little further up the beach called "mondo's" that has nice slow easy waves like Waikiki, only colder, perfect for learners. This is a short driving distance from civilization but it feels very remote once you are there.

One of the few place one can camp on/at the beach in SoCal.Rocky Beach with sand nearby, Hikes, Train Tracks, Ventura River Estuary, Wild Flowers, Bathrooms, Outdoor Showers, Group and Individual Camping.Just a few miles from other beaches and fairgrounds with other attractions.Sound of the Freeway so near was a constant, but not awful. Ventura is a great place. I hope to get back more often and the Channel Islands, (near this park btw) are high on my list for a day hike and snorkel.

We RVed in nearly every state during a 10-year span. This was our favorite location. Park farther away from the entrance for the best sites.

I grew up near here and have been going to Emma Wood beach my whole life. Just this weekend my wife and I did a long bike ride through here and enjoyed every minute of it thanks to the perfect weather and gorgeous ocean. The waves can be good if you time it right and the people are always nice. Definitely visit this beach when in Ventura.

I have visited Emma Wood for years. When the kids were young, I had an RV and we would go to Emma Wood for camping. Right on the beach was lots of fun. We would all get up when the tide went out and check out all the rocks, fish, etc. I packed flashlights for everyone and that's the best time we used them. The beach has a beautiful view and just isn't packed and jammed like a Newport Beach is. That's the good part, not having to dig for a place to sit down. Now that I'm older, I stay in a hotel but always make a visit to Emma Wood. Still has that beautiful view. When you pay to get in they have the casey bathrooms, so you don't have to go without. Being on the beach takes my stress and worries away. After I come home, I am refreshed and calm. Wonderful time.

We went there for camping with a big broup! The camp gound was near the beach and actually you can walk to the beach in a few minutes. The location wasn't really ideal for real camping since it was between 101 and railroald, that will keep the noisebasically all night. The good thing about the camp ground was that no threating animals. And not many bugs....I believe something to do witht the cooler weather. You won't get sweat unless you jog or hikes, very comfortable. But it's cold in the evening and you need to bring a lot of logs for firepit. you can buy it on site, but Vons is 5 minutes away, so you can buy them there at anytime. They only had a outdoor cold shower( like beach shower). So you need to bring bathing suites to take a shower! Or you can use other water in the camp area to only wash your hair..... Restrooms were not that clean ,but while were were there at least, it cleaned twice..., but bring your own toilet paper! It's gone quickly and due to the beach climate, the paper gets wet... Also I recomment to bring hand sanitizer or even spray like Lyzol....that will help you totally! Bring extra blanket and warm jacket for evening. Parking was a bit of problem...if you don't come early enought,close parking to the campsite will be gone...and you have to park in other side parking area. Bring bloom and dust pan... there will be sand all over in your tent....Bring ear plugs! There will be a lot of noise from 101 fwy and railroal..... dont place your tent close to 101!!! You won't be able to sleep without ear plugs..... Overall, it was fun. Becasus of the cooler weather, no bugs and no animals. When you take tent down, you don't really need to clean bugs on the tent at all. Did not even hear or see mosquitos either! It's a fun place to camp as a big group. We may go back there again!