What to do in Ventura, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park showing general coastal views and rocky coastline
Channel Islands National Park showing rocky coastline, a pebble beach and general coastal views
Channel Islands National Park which includes rocky coastline and general coastal views

Ventura Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Ventura has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Ventura is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Ventura to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Ventura Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Ventura.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Ventura attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Ventura

Number of things to do
12
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
A Remarkable Scavenger Hunt: Ace Ventura: CA $17
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Ventura

Discover the most popular places to visit in Ventura

Ventura Harbor which includes sailing and general coastal views

Ventura Harbor

Appreciate delicious seafood, sandy beaches, whale watching and charming friendliness in this waterfront area with access to Channel Islands National Park.

Ventura Harbor
Ventura Beach Pier Southern California Sea American Flag

Ventura City Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Ventura City Beach during your trip to Ventura? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Ventura City Beach
Ventura Pier featuring a sunset, landscape views and general coastal views

Ventura Pier

Enjoy seafood or tacos at the foot of this pier and wander along its old wooden planks for panoramic views of the Channel Islands.

Ventura Pier
🇱🇷 Situated along California's scenic central coast, the City of Ventura was once referred to as the “land of endless summer". There are many uncrowded beaches to discover in this area. • 🏊‍♀️ Like Emma Wood State Beach this area is popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing. It attracts a variety of wildlife on the beach and in the ocean! The beach also offers family camping or RV parking.

Emma Wood State Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Emma Wood State Beach during your travels in Ventura? Stroll along the area's waterfront or experience its lively festivals.

Emma Wood State Beach
Evening surf at peaceful Solimar Beach in Ventura, California.

Solimar Beach

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Solimar Beach during your travels in Ventura. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Solimar Beach
Mission San Buenaventura.

San Buenaventura Mission

San Buenaventura Mission is just one of the places to see in Ventura, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the area's seaside, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

San Buenaventura Mission
a stunning panoramic shot of the vast blue ocean at the beach with smooth silky brown sand and rocks along the beach at sunset with powerful clouds at Rincon Beach in Ventura County California USA

Rincon Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Rincon Beach during your trip to Ventura? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Rincon Beach
#goldenhour

San Buenaventura State Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at San Buenaventura State Beach during your trip to Ventura? Stroll along the area's waterfront or experience its lively festivals.

San Buenaventura State Beach

Ventura County Fairgrounds

Catch an event at Ventura County Fairgrounds during your trip to Ventura. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its entertainment choices.

Ventura County Fairgrounds

Explore areas of Ventura

This is the Ventura Pier at sunset.

Pierpont Bay

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Pierpont Bay, Ventura City Beach and San Buenaventura State Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Pierpont Bay
Artist is still working on this piece. Cool without that dump of a car in front of it!

Downtown Ventura

If you're spending some time in Downtown Ventura, Ventura City Hall and Rubicon Theatre Company are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Ventura
Ventura California. Beach Pier. Aerial scenic Panorama

Midtown

Midtown might not have many top sights, but Ventura City Beach and Ventura Harbor are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Midtown
The inlet to the harbor becomes a spectacular scene at dusk.

Ventura Harbor Village

While visiting Ventura Harbor Village, you might make a stop by sights like Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands National Park.

Ventura Harbor Village
Beautiful morning scenery, with sunshine and reflections, palm trees, morning mist, on the Santa Barbara waterfront in California, USA

East End

Though East End might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Bowlero Oxnard and Golf N' Stuff.

East End
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Westside

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Westside and surrounding area, you can visit Ventura City Hall and Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Westside

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Ventura

Ventura California. Beach Pier. Aerial scenic Panorama

Oxnard

Citrus Trees, Ojai Valley, California

Ojai

Multiple Flower Varieties Are Planted In A Patchwork And Seen In Late Summer In Ventura County, Trees And Mountains In The Background; Santa Paula, California, United States Of America

Santa Paula

Great

Mira Monte

Wildflowers on the Ventura PCH Highway 1 Coast

Faria Beach

Aerial Photo, Mussel Shoals Beach, Long Pier, HWY 101 CA, Ventura Coast, Carpinteria, Little Rincon

Mussel Shoals

Frequently asked questions

Is Ventura worth visiting?
Whether you're planning to experience the cultural attractions and local charm or sample regional foods and go on outdoor adventures, there are plenty of things to do in Ventura.
How do I spend a day in Ventura?
After you've visited major attractions like Ventura Pier and Ventura City Beach, spend the rest of your day experiencing Ventura's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ventura?
Ventura City Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Ventura and should feature high on every sightseeing itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Ventura?
Three days will be enough time to check out some popular city highlights, such as Ventura City Beach, Solimar Beach and Emma Wood State Beach. The average stay in Ventura is two days. If you have the time to extend your adventure, Santa Barbara isn't far away.
Is Ventura a walkable city?
That comes down to what you want to do and see in Ventura. Several key attractions, like Ventura City Beach and Emma Wood State Beach, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Ventura's best neighbourhoods, Pierpont Bay is 3 kilometres away from downtown, while Downtown Ventura is 0.80 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Ventura with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all of your group, check out these fabulous ideas for what to do in Ventura with kids.

What to do in Ventura for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or adventure seeker, there's lots of things to do in Ventura for adults including Ventura City Hall.
Are there free things to do in Ventura?
In Ventura, Ventura City Beach is a top spot for anyone planning to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and speak with a local tour guide. It's a good way to explore the best free things to do in Ventura.

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