Ventura County's coastal location provides a diverse camping landscape with elevations ranging from sea level to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. The Mediterranean climate creates mild year-round conditions, though summer temperatures can reach 85-90°F during the day while dropping to the 50s at night. The area's unique geography allows campers to choose between beachfront sites with ocean sounds or mountain retreats with oak tree shade.
What to do
Beach exploration: Near Thornhill Broome Beach you'll find excellent tide pools filled with marine life. "There's rocks to the left and right that are fun to explore," notes Garrett M. The beach is suitable for long walks and wildlife spotting. "If you're lucky you'll see pods of dolphins swimming just out from the shore, actually more often than not," shares Sam H.
Hiking the mountains: Visit Wheeler Gorge Campground for creek-side trails. "Creek running through and a one way road system this little gem is a great spot for a quick trip not far from downtown Ojai," explains Dawn B. The area offers several hiking options: "Enjoyed hiking up and down the gorge. Plenty of swimming holes. Did the Rose waterfall hike just 20min drive further up the road."
Water activities: At Lake Casitas, children can enjoy the on-site water park during summer. "The most fun is the water park. You can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river," mentions Shannon R. Beyond swimming, the lake offers boating opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. "The lake offers fishing and boating, no body contact. There are several campsites around the lake. Some lakefront and some wooded."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife. At Ventura Ranch KOA, "Peacocks live there! They roost in the trees and just mingle with the campers without a care in the world," reports Jessica R. Campers also appreciate marine wildlife sightings along the coast. "We saw squirrels, rabbits, dolphins, sea lions and birds," notes a GotelRV visitor at Faria Beach Park.
Campsite privacy: Dennison Park offers more secluded sites than beachfront locations. "A good amount of trees at each site, some on the upper back side have an amazing view of the Ojai Valley," explains Alex P. Sites vary significantly in terms of privacy and views. "Only one site has an unobstructed view of the Valley (#15) but that one was occupied when I arrived and I had a lovely view from my site."
Town accessibility: Many campsites provide convenient access to nearby communities. At Santa Cruz Campground, "The park staff is amazing... The location to Shopify and eatery's absolutely perfect," shares Sandee B. Similarly, "This campground is literally on the beach, along the PCH with picnic tables and fire rings it's one of the few on the beach that actually allows fire," notes one camper at Thornhill Broome Beach.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Coastal sites experience significant wind that can impact camping comfort. At Thornhill Broome, "You have to be ok with wind and making sure your equipment is secured," warns Kelly S. Beach sites also experience marine layer fog that can affect visibility and temperature. "50% chance you will have marine layer. But if you love the sound of waves crashing and seagulls then it's perfect!" notes one Rincon Parkway visitor.
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, advance planning is essential. "[Thornhill Broome] campground is popular in the summer months and spaces get reserved up to 6 months in advanced," advises Jeremy F. For last-minute trips, consider off-peak timing or less popular sites. "Took my son here for a weekend to explore Santa Barbara. There is no overnight parking in the park unless you have a previously reserved car camping campsite."
Road noise factors: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds, particularly beachfront locations. At Emma Wood State Beach, "Doesn't really feel like camping, since you can hear the sound of the freeway and trains," mentions Jill F. However, many campers find the ocean sounds compensate: "Train tracks are 30 feet away but the trains are not overly loud since the wonderful sound of the ocean drowns it out."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers family-friendly amenities beyond standard camping. "This campground is great for beginners and disabled," notes Shannon R., adding "the water park... you can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river. Also there is a disk golf course." The variety of activities keeps children entertained throughout your stay.
Protected beach access: When camping with children at oceanfront sites, look for locations with designated access points. "The campgrounds have an ocean view and the staircase to the beach is in the campground," explains Devon H. about Faria Beach Park. This structured access makes supervision easier while still providing beach enjoyment.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities for younger campers. "From zipline obstacle courses to tie dye classes, this KOA easily occupies kids and has teepee and cabin rentals available for glampers," explains a visitor to Ventura Ranch KOA. The investment in facilities translates to easier family camping: "Lots of fun activities for kids, like crafts, making your own rocket to launch, etc."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Faria Beach Park, site position significantly affects your experience. "Sites are pretty tight. You have to squeeze to get in or out of your rv," cautions Ana M. about crowded locations. For improved views and comfort, "Just make sure to get one on the water. You'll never want to leave," recommends Care B.
Hookup considerations: Understanding service limitations helps prevent surprises. At Rincon Parkway RV Overnight, "No hook ups but trucks come by offering sewer/water services. Wood trucks also come by," explains Paul N. Sites vary considerably in service availability: "$35 per night for a standard site, depending. There's a camp host and ranger at the entrance but keep in mind they lock the gates for vehicles entering at night."
Size restrictions: Vehicle dimensions affect campground suitability. At Wheeler Gorge, "We reserved site #49 which was plenty big enough for our 26ft class c, but the drive through the campground to get to the site was a little narrow and tight, wouldn't recommend for larger RVs," cautions Laura M. For larger units, coastal parking may work better: "Spots along the seawall can accommodate bigger rigs," notes Pete W. about Rincon Parkway's pet-friendly camping near Ventura.
