Surfing around
San Buenaventura Beach

Surfer's Point

Most of the action is around Surfer's Point, or C Street as it is known locally (nearby California Street leads to the beach; also known as Ventura Point). The point break produces steady waves. At the tip of the point is Stables, named for the nearby fairground stables. It usually has great waves. Fairgrounds are found at the outer point. Even farther out is a reef known as Outsides, famous for its monster waves when its up. But it's the outer point, known as Pipes, where most experienced surfers gather. Strong onshore winds in the afternoon make surfing difficult.

Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.

California Street Classic Surf Contest

September TBA, 2024
The Ventura Surf Club sponsors the annual California Street Classic Surf Contest. The event has both longboard and shortboard divisions for a wide range of age groups, including separate women's longboard divisions.
California Street Classic

Ventura Makos Surf Camp

Surf camps, private lessons, after school program.
(805) 426-0765   Ventura Makos Surf Camp

Mary Osborne Surf Camp

Kids summer surf camps for all ages
(805) 973-SAND (7263)
Mary Osborne Surf Camp

Out on the Ventura Pier

The Ventura Pier is an enjoyable place to pass the day with sea breezes blowing, the Ventura coast before you, and the sound of the waves lapping at the pilings. Originally the pier was nearly two thousand feet long, built in 1872 as a working cargo wharf. Today it stretches 1,700 into Pierpont Bay. It is open 24 hours a day.

Displays along the pier feature historic photographs, wildlife, and Chumash Indian life. Anglers have good success fishing for sea bass, perch, halibut, yellowtail, and mackerel, along with the occasional shark or ray. There are benches and fish cleaning stations available. Restrooms are located near the foot of the pier.

Fishing on the Pier

Anglers on the pier fish the sandy bottom around the pilings for kelp bass, salema, white croaker, halibut, and sanddabs. Out at the end of the pier is an expanded area with a large hole which allows fishermen to drop their lines and fish among the pilings. Powerful lights at night help to attract fish there. Electric sockets in the light poles are a great convenience.

Restaurants

A pair of restaurants on the pier are popular with locals and visitors alike. Beach House Fish serves fresh seafood and other menu items. Attached are a bar and a souvenir shop. They open for breakfast on the weekends, otherwise at 11:00 AM.

Beach House Tacos opens for breakfast at 8:30 AM. Besides tacos they serve salads, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, a variety of side dishes, and all kinds of beverages from beer and wine to soda and coffee.

Pier Under the Stars - October 5, 2024

Every year along the beachfront promenade near the pier, Ventura holds Pier Under the Stars, a food and wine tasting benefit for the Ventura Pier. The celebration includes live music and dancing under the stars. The event usually runs from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Pier Under the Stars

Pier into the Future

Pier into the Future is a non-profit organization devoted to enhancing the historic Ventura Pier. They help sponsor numerous events during the year and raise funds to help maintain the pier. They also hold a Ventura Pier photo contest.
Pier into the Future

Ventura Junior Lifeguards

The Ventura Junior Lifeguards program is open to children and youth ages 9 through 16. Participants learn water safety, physical conditioning, and understanding and respect for the environment, and respect for themselves and others

Activities include open water swimming, paddle boarding, body surfing, surfboarding, skin diving, CPR, and self rescue. Available for a separate fee is a trip to the Channel Islands on Island Packers' vessel.

Entrollment opens in April. Prospective participants must pass a swimming tryout in order to qualify for the program. The tryout tests swimming skills along with each child's competence and confidence in the water. Tryouts are held in May and June at the Ventura Aquatic Center.

2024 Program Dates

In 2024, three sessions are offered, June 17 - July 5, July 8 - July 26, July 29 - August 16 (VUSD Pier Swim make-up August 17). Each session is 2 weeks long and run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Program participants meet at San Buenaventura State Beach, but it is wise to confirm the location.
Ventura Junior Lifeguards