Emma Wood State Beach
⚠️
High Traffic Alert
This park experiences heavy crowds, especially on weekends.
Check out the similar parks below for a better experience
Current Crowd Level
🟠Busy
Popular destination, arrive early for parking
Best: Weekdays before 10am
Emma Wood State Beach sits at the mouth of the Ventura River where it meets the Pacific, creating a diverse ecosystem of river estuary, wetlands, and open ocean beach. The group camping area is popular with surfers and cyclists on the Ojai Valley Trail. Birding in the river mouth estuary is exceptional, with shorebirds and migratory species present year-round.
💵
Entrance Fee
Free
✅
Permits
Not Needed
🚫
Dogs
Not Allowed
⛰️
Accessibility
Limited
Try These Instead
These parks offer similar experiences with fewer crowds
💎 Hidden Gem
Channel Islands National Park
🟡Moderate
Remote island chain with unique wildlife
NATIONAL PARK$Free (but boat/plane required)
⚠️ Permit/Reservation Required
🦅 America the Beautiful
Why go: Similar coastal scenery, wildlife viewing, solitude experience
Around 32 miles away
