Emma Wood State Beach
Emma Wood State Beach
4
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The area
Address
How to get there
- Ventura Station • 7 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
197 within 5 kms
Attractions
47 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
86 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
39
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Dan Dauer
Torrance, CA9 contributions
Sep 2019
Great views, love seeing the ocean just a stone's toss away from our trailer, love the sound of ocean waves crashing on the beach. We enjoy riding our bikes into town for lunch, and coming back for a nice dinner and camp fire.
What we don't like is that our bikes were stolen while we slept. In speaking with the park rangers the next day they admit to an issue where guns have been drawn by campers and fights have broken out while catching people sneaking into the camps to forage for anything of value. Lock your bikes IN your trailer as they thieves will cut through your lock and take anything not locked down while you sleep.
What we don't like is that our bikes were stolen while we slept. In speaking with the park rangers the next day they admit to an issue where guns have been drawn by campers and fights have broken out while catching people sneaking into the camps to forage for anything of value. Lock your bikes IN your trailer as they thieves will cut through your lock and take anything not locked down while you sleep.
Written 30 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marierm
Los Angeles, CA124 contributions
May 2020 • Solo
The beach here is beautiful. The railroad tracks lie between the beach and the campground. Be very careful here; there are homeless encampments and trash filling the park that lies between the campground and the Ventura river estuary. There of been many burglaries reported here, and you should always be aware of your surroundings and lock up anything you don’t want to be stolen.
Written 31 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viktoriya K
Saskatoon, Canada387 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
An okay beach famous for its burglary and families with young children. Not the best place for serfing or adults. Many people prefer it to Venice, but I am definitely of the opposite opinion. Venice has much more to offer and has plenty of activity options, entertainment (including kids) and way more beautiful nature with mountains and ocean and wharf line that is glowing at night than Ventura.
The water is of the same temperature as Venice, so I wouldn’t travel all the way there for two hours on stones and constantly worry about my stuff, not worth the gas.
The water is of the same temperature as Venice, so I wouldn’t travel all the way there for two hours on stones and constantly worry about my stuff, not worth the gas.
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda B
Santa Clarita, CA91 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
We have stayed at Emma wood beach many times and every time we have stayed other campers had bikes, generators, ice chests and chairs stolen. On our last visit they took our bike off the back of the truck, cutting right through our cable lock. There are no night patrols so in the wee hours the Drug addicts climb out of the riverbed near by and steal your stuff with no consequence! They post a sign telling you to lock it or lose it, well it doesn’t matter, “lock it and lose it” either way should be their slogan😬 Thanks to those who voted for propositions 47 and 57.
Written 18 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serendipity5333
76 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Enjoy this place when it is not full. Ocean front with great views. The bugs were bad at night this time and it was really dark but such a great sleeping experience with the waves crashing a few feet away!
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
socalfamilytravelers
Los Angeles, CA21 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Just went camping for 3 nights at Emma Wood campground. My bike was stolen the 2nd night we were there. In the middle of the night, they come and cut your locks and take bikes. We had 4 nice bikes chained up with a brand new bike lock attached to our camper. They only took my bike that had disc brakes and they left the other 3 bikes with regular brakes. I reported it to the ranger and filed a police report for my new REI mountain bike they stole, was told the thieves wait until the train goes by then they cut the locks and steal things. Was also told by other campers who go there often that they will steal generators too...surely other things.
The positives are close to Ventura for restaurants and shopping, can bike into ventura (if you still have a bike!), my kids loved playing on the rocks between the camper and ocean and you can walk or bike to a very nice small sandy beach within the campground. Can watch the train go by often (also can be added as a negative if a light sleeper).
Negatives: no sand, only rocks by most campsites. No tables, no fire pits (most sites do have a rock fire pit from previous campers), train tracks very close to campsites, no fences to keep out non campers (seems like an easy fit to all the crime), no dump site, no hookups, no nothing and it costs $40 a night.
We won't be back to this campground, really wasn't fun feeling uneasy about our safety. After my bike was stolen I started researching how many others had the same problem and it seemed endless how many other people also had their bikes stolen there! One person even said just as they arrived they were unloading and someone stole things when they had their back turned.
I am just very sad about humanity right now...
The positives are close to Ventura for restaurants and shopping, can bike into ventura (if you still have a bike!), my kids loved playing on the rocks between the camper and ocean and you can walk or bike to a very nice small sandy beach within the campground. Can watch the train go by often (also can be added as a negative if a light sleeper).
Negatives: no sand, only rocks by most campsites. No tables, no fire pits (most sites do have a rock fire pit from previous campers), train tracks very close to campsites, no fences to keep out non campers (seems like an easy fit to all the crime), no dump site, no hookups, no nothing and it costs $40 a night.
We won't be back to this campground, really wasn't fun feeling uneasy about our safety. After my bike was stolen I started researching how many others had the same problem and it seemed endless how many other people also had their bikes stolen there! One person even said just as they arrived they were unloading and someone stole things when they had their back turned.
I am just very sad about humanity right now...
Written 1 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clay C
21 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Also, the ever-present transient population is always lingering about (friend was harassed there, another friends was robbed there a few years ago.
Written 6 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
albo6868
Gorizia, Italy114 contributions
Jul 2019
Very nice beach for walking and taking pictures. High waves, not much people in water. Not crowded place at all.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nenners56
Ledbury, UK2,982 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Just stunning to look out at the passing dolphins and seals and a million surfers who seem to spend all day in the water.
Just pretty much untouched and as nature intended. A truly beautiful spot.
Just pretty much untouched and as nature intended. A truly beautiful spot.
Written 3 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary G
53 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
We have had Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July here. It’s a bit expensive but the scenery can’t be beat!
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
what type of toilet do you need I have a camper van with a lave dry flush toilet is that ok?
if your camping in a van what type of toilet do you need? will a lave dry flush toilet be ok?
Carolina L
Lancaster, CA4 contributions
What is the fee per night?
lost_bobcat
Newberg, OR570 contributions
$55, no hookups
Is space 48 a good site?
Or is it one of the rocky beaches
Thanks for any help
SquireDude
Ventura, CA67 contributions
None of the sites, in my opinion, are good at this park. It is a State Park that is a dirty parking lot that is under the freeway. It has a concrete wall between you and a very rocky beach. This is not a place to hang out or for beach people.
There are no facilities, bathrooms are porta-potties.
I do not recommend this park
cparent593
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA4 contributions
Does anyone have any specific recommended camp site numbers in Emma Wood or ones to avoid?
Dadickster
Seattle, WA123 contributions
The end sites are the best as you don't have anyone on either side. 72, 73, 74 are smallest. Be prepared to be sandwiched in on most sites and 100% dry camping, no dump station, water, toilets etc.
Arawatbuwan
Los Angeles, CA135 contributions
How is the bathroom/restroom situation at Emma Beach? We will be using a group camp site. Is there electricity source? Thank you.
Pam L
1 contribution
Their website says: Emma Wood State Beach offers primitive camping for fully self-contained vehicles ONLY. Tents are not permitted. No water, restrooms, electricity, fire rings, or phones or dump station are available. There are 90 campsites, which are not level
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Claim your listingEmma Wood State Beach (Ventura) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Emma Wood State Beach
- We recommend booking Emma Wood State Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Emma Wood State Beach tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Emma Wood State Beach:
- (0.19 km) Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, an IHG Hotel
- (0.10 km) Motel 6 Ventura Downtown
- (0.30 km) Bella Maggiore Inn
- (0.37 km) Amanzi Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
- (0.42 km) Clocktower Inn Ventura
- Restaurants near Emma Wood State Beach:
- (0.14 km) Habit
- (0.20 km) Aloha Steakhouse
- (0.10 km) Oak N Main
- (0.21 km) Barrelhouse 101
- (0.18 km) Pizza Man Dan's