Start off 2022 with some good vibes! Head to the destination that’s all about a California State of Mind. The Ventura County Coast has all the good vibes you’ll need for your next getaway. It’s home to Channel Islands National Park, also known as “the Galapagos of North America.” You’ll also find some of California’s most panoramic coastal hikes. Explore the region’s four distinct towns—Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme, and enjoy the diverse mix of dining options, including farm-to-table, fresh seafood, Thai, and outstanding Mexican cuisine, including a popular taco trail. Easily accessible from both LA and San Francisco, the Ventura County Coast is your good vibes getaway.

The Galapagos of North America

The Galapagos of North America. Remote, wild, and still a bit of a secret among national park enthusiasts, Channel Islands National Park is a series of five unique islands off the coast of Ventura. This undeveloped and far less traveled archipelago is open year-round and reached by boat, with departures from Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard or Ventura Harbor in Ventura. The islands—San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara—all offer something wondrous and distinct. Backpack the largest among them, Santa Cruz, on a multi-day camping adventure. Go on a day-hike to the infamous Smugglers Cove. Or go kayaking through volcanic-rock sea caves as brown pelicans swoop in from above. Speaking of brown pelicans, Anacapa’s protected and rocky cliffs are home to just two breeding colonies of California brown pelicans in the western US: 4,600 breeding pairs! (Note: Anacapa Island closes February 15, 2022, until summer 2022 for landing area maintenance.)

Escape to the Channel Islands

Best Hikes

The Ventura County Coast has some of California’s best hikes for mountain-to-sea panoramas. This includes marquee trails on Channel Islands National Park. It also includes mainland beach hikes like Ocean’s Edge and River’s Edge Trail at Emma Wood State Beach in Ventura, where the river meets the sea. At sunset this place is golden. Peak baggers will relish the dramatic coastal scenery you’ll get from the top of Mugu Peak in Point Mugu State Park, about a 20-minute drive from Camarillo. Talk about taking things to the next level—the coastal views from up here are stunning. See the Top Hikes to do in Ventura County.

Top Hikes in Ventura County

Road Trip Starts Now

Whether driving from Los Angeles or San Francisco, an adventurous road trip is core to the California experience. And with 22 miles of coastline, four charming towns, and five islands comprising one incredible national park nicknamed “the Galapagos of North America,” the Ventura County Coast has a lot to explore. In winter, find uncrowded beaches for winter surfing, hiking trails, great shopping, and exceptional and diverse dining options from casual take-out to oceanfront patios. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine, Thai, fresh seafood, and dozens of taquerias, taco trucks, and Mexican restaurants (check out this taco trail map). Try something new in 2022 by getting a bird’s–eye view of the coastline on Camarillo’s Skyrider Ultralights sports aircraft. And get the ultimate Southern California beach experience—sans the crowds—at Hollywood Beach in Oxnard. Winter sunsets at this beach, named for its popularity with classic movie stars like Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin, get a glowing review!

Complete Winter Road Trip Itinerary

Where to Stay

Variety and affordability make the Ventura County Coast a good bet for travelers. See lodging options in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme.