Ventura, California

Photo: Visit Ventura

An Authentic American Surf Town.

Lat. 34.27834 | Long. -119.29317

Ventura County

~ SURFER’S EDITION ~

California Street — better known locally as C Street — may be Ventura’s signature surf spot; a peeling point break that, when the waves are good, rivals some of the best surf spots in the world.

Beach Boys Fun Fact: Only one (Dennis) of the Wilson brothers was a real surfer.

Woman on beach waxing a surfboard

Ellie Smith, Editor’s daughter, waxing a Robert August longboard.

“C” Street & South Jetty

Raw Film By: Micheal Moore

Live: Current Surf Conditions.

Visit Surfline Best Ventura Beaches

San Buenaventura.

Mission San Buenaventura in 1839

Ventura has been inhabited by different peoples, including the Chumash Native Americans, for at least 10,000 years. With the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1782, Mission San Buenaventura was established by Junípero Serra, giving the city its name. Learn More.

Man with beard and hat sitting on old rusty truck next to drums in a street scene, with signs for burgers, beers, and 'Iron & Resin' in the background.

Iron & Resin

Group of people with motorcycles at a seaside location, standing on rocks, overlooking the ocean, during a sunny day.
Iron and Resin logo with anchor symbol and 'Freedom Riders' text
Aerial view of a coastal city with palm trees, buildings, a highway, and a pier extending into the ocean.
Group of motorcyclists riding on a scenic road with hills in the background.

Quality Built Provisions

Editor’s Choice:

Born in a small, Southern California, blue-collar beach town, graced with world class point breaks and seaside racetracks, where ghosts of a once towering oil industry still linger in the shadows... Shop.

Best Surf Spots

Ventura’s Best Surf Beaches

Interior of a vintage-style store or cafe with a retro motorcycle, surfboards, and vintage decor on a brick wall.

Carburetors & Coffee

Iron & Resin


Moving north into the shadow of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the coves and boulder-dotted beaches here do well to draw in any W and SW swells. That means the surfing in Ventura is reliable – like seriously reliable. What’s more, you’ve got all sorts of breaks to pick from, whether you’re looking for sheltered beach breaks or a day on the gnarly point at Rincon, one of Cali’s top spots. Read More.

Ventura Surf Shop

Ventura Surf shop was started in the early sixties by Tom Hale. Tom had been building boards with V.I.P., Ventura International Plastics in the late fifties. VIP was owned by Bill Fisher with the shop located on Olive Street.  The shop sold fiberglass, cloth, resin & laminated surfboards. VIP went on to a new factory on Callens Rd. where they produced boards "Pop Outs" (production boards) Ten Toes, Shark, Tiki and the Duke Kahanamoky boards. Read History.  

Person sanding a surfboard with a respirator mask and small inset image of a surfboard fin.

88 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, Ca

805-643-1062

The light changed and both cars drove on. As another red light brought us to a stop in downtown Ventura, Chuck pulled up next to us, swung his car door open, jumped out, proceeded to shake a full jar of mustard onto our windshield, then jumped back into his car. READ MORE.

The Surfer’s Journal

The Best Coffee In Town!

A relaxing and inclusive environment where surf meets sand. Providing a rotating seasonal menu, curated to promote locally sourced food and beverages offered from Ventura and Ojai to Santa Barbara. A comfortable gathering place supporting community arts and entertainment where patrons can enjoy, relax, and recharge against the backdrop of beautiful Surfer’s Point.   

Outdoor seating area with a blue metal picnic table and umbrella, surrounded by a fence made of upright surfboards. Decorative plants and a red Connect Four game are visible. A building in the background and clear blue sky overhead.

204 East Thompson Boulevard, Ventura, California 93001

(805) 667-8000

Best Cheap Surfer Stays…

Because You’re Here To Surf, Not Sit By The Pool. | Click The Pic To Visit.

Surfing in Ventura was thrust into the limelight back in the 1960s by the Beach Boys. Since then it’s been a major point of wavecraft pilgrimage. That’s mainly down to aforementioned Rincon, but don’t discount the state beaches to the south of town, which have some epic right-hand points and good sandbar breaks alike. Easy access to most spots from the 101, too. That’s a bonus. Read More.

Surfer on Acid

Serving the Surfer on Acid over ice helps to tame the sweet and herbal flavors, and it produces a lengthier, more sessionable cocktail. The Jägermeister provides plenty of oomph, along with a mildly bitter backbone, while the classic duo of coconut rum and pineapple juice lends fruity sweetness. Using fresh pineapple juice—or the best bottled juice you can find—will add brightness and acidity to the drink, helping to keep the flavors balanced.

The tall, cold cocktail brings ultimate refreshment on a warm day, whether you’re surfing in California or sitting at your favorite bar.

Two tall glasses of dark rum cocktails garnished with pineapple slices.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Jägermeister

  • 1 ounce coconut rum

  • 1 ounce pineapple juice

  • Garnish: pineapple wedge

Steps

  • Add the Jägermeister, coconut rum and pineapple juice into a shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled.

  • Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.

  • Garnish with a pineapple wedge.