Emma Wood State Beach
Photo Gallery
About Emma Wood State Beach in Ventura, California
Emma Wood State Beach is a linear state park with a narrow beach that parallels Highway 101 west of the city of Ventura. The main day use area is at the south end of the state park near the mouth of the Ventura River and the RV camp spaces are north of there.
At this location there is a day-use beach access, a group camp, and a city park property called Seaside Wilderness Park. There are picnic tables on-site and hiking trails that lead to the Ventura River Estuary for excellent birding opportunities. A few paths from the parking areas lead over and under railroad tracks then down to a beach made up of smooth round rocks (sand can be found at the river mouth on south end of park).
On the beach near the mouth of the river there are two historic circular concrete structures that are gun mounts left over from World War II. They were built in 1942 after the Ellwood Oil Facility in Santa Barbara was attacked by a Japanese submarine.
Biking, walking, and running are popular on the four-mile long paved Omer Rains Bike Trail that connects Emma Wood State Beach to San Buenaventura State Beach. You’ll find the trailhead near the park entrance booth.
To get to Emma Wood State Beach from downtown Ventura, head north on Main Street and take the first left after passing the Ventura Beach RV Park which leads right into the park (brown sign says Group Camp). Camping is available at Emma Wood North Beach on the shoulder of a road (RVs only).
In 1956 this property was given to the state by Emma Wood’s husband who inherited it upon her death in 1944. It became a California State Park and was named in her memory in 1957.
- Address
- US-101 BUS & Park Access Rd
Ventura, CA 93001 - Phone
- 805-585-1850
- Park Name
- Emma Wood State Beach, Seaside Wilderness Park
- Owner
- State Park
- Pet Details
- No dogs allowed on the beach
- Fees
- Fee for parking
- Activities
- Surfing, Fishing, Camping, Birdwatching, Hiking
- Amenities
- Campground, Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Group Camps, Trails, Historic Military Ruins
Nearby Beaches
Surfers Point Beach
0.6 miles away
Surfers Point Beach at Seaside Park in Ventura begins west of the Ventura Pier and follows the Promenade to...
Ventura Pier Beach
1.2 miles away
The sandy beach at Ventura Pier is Ventura’s main city beach and is nearest downtown. The original San Buenaventura...
Emma Wood State Beach – North Beach
1.4 miles away
North Beach at Emma Wood State Beach is a long linear RV campground right on the ocean. Unfortunately there...
Nearby Attractions
The Old Mission San Buenaventura
0.9 miles away
The Ventura Mission, one in a chain of 21 California missions, is perched on a hill above the Pacific...
Ventura Promenade
0.9 miles away
The Ventura Promenade is an oceanfront pathway that runs between the Ventura Pier and Surfers Point. Trail users can...
Nearby Lodging
Related Articles
Reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.