Cool places to camp near Ventura, CA

I'm moving to Ventura from Colorado in about a week. I've got til June 20th before I have to start work out there.

My wife and I would like to take our two kids (4 & 2 years old) camping somewhere cool within a couple hours of Ventura.

I'm especially interested in somewhere quiet, near a beach, trails and stuff for us to hike on, just an all around awesome place. There doesn't even necassarily have to be climbing nearby, although some bouldering would be nice.

Any other beta on the area in general (climbing, mountain biking, hiking, overall cool things to see and do) would be much appreciated. We'll be out there for the next five years, so trying to get some ideas. Thanks a lot!!

1. Emma Wood (Ventura): Beach Camping
2. Pine Mountain Campground(Hwy 33): Bouldering, Hiking
3. Carpenteria State Beach (Carpenteria): Beach Camping

Check those out. If you want to go farther away, there is always Big Sur or Malibu Canyon.

Sycamore canyon campground

Montana de Oro State Park is a couple hours north of there and one of my favorite places to camp on the south central coast. Cool camp sites with a 180 degree view of the ocean and lots of little beaches nearby to visit, wildflowers should still be going off around that time too. Morro Bay is close by and a pretty cool place to visit for a half day.

Jalama beach is another good chill campground.

Point Mugu State Beach (Malibu): Point Dume, nearby, has some easy top rope routes. Also Point Mugu

Gaviota State Park: Pretty quiet beach camping. The occasional train might entertain the young ones.

El Capitan State Beach: closer to town than Gaviota.

Both Gaviota and El Capitan are just north of Santa Barbara. There's a lot to do and see in town. There's some great bouldering nearby at Lizard's Mouth . Its a quick drive up the mountain with some amazing views of Channel Islands National Park . It's only accessible by boat, but there is developed camping there and some excellent hikes that aren't too strenuous.

If you go south of Ventura, it gets busier and more crowded down the coast (think Malibu, Santa Monica, etc). North of Ventura gets more quiet and more scenic.

There are a ton more places to go around there, but those places I had kids in mind (I have a 6 and 4 year old).
Strictly for the kids' entertainment...Just over the hill from Santa Barbara:
ranchooso.net/2013/camping.…

Camp in a covered wagon, Tipi, etc.

Jalama beach is awesome secluded and a cool drive down. Won't get anywhere else with that few people in so cal. Spots 41 through 51 offer best protection. From wind which is known to get up in the evening. Point conception in a 10 mile walk down the beach round trip saw sea lions last time.

It's south of Ventura by about half an hour, but Leo Cabrillo (near Pt. Mugu) also has a nice campground with big sycamores and next to the ocean. The beach across PCH (there a pedestrian underpass) has tidepools and caves (though no real bouldering sadly--too loose and sandy). Up canyon from the campground (about a 15-20 min. hike) there's a place called the Sandbox, which has a fun traverse over a pool of water that's maybe a V5. Only worth hitting if you're in the area though. Ventura is a nice place. I suspect you'll now start spending as much time surfing or SUP as climbing.
Edit: forgot to mention that everyone place mentioned so far is nice as well. Really hard to go wrong. Re Pine Mt.: you want to check when hunting season starts. I felt pretty limited heading up there once seeing a bunch of guys wandering around with rifles and dressed in camo.

Good info here. I'm local to this area and as far as camping by the beach goes, it's extremely difficult to get a spot without reserving it right when the season opens. Also, the heat is pretty bad in the summer making beach camping even harder to get. However, like others have said, going north of Santa Barbara opens up better options. As far as climbing goes, there are many places. Beachside and crags around LA and Malibu he very crowded but there are plenty of climbs free of crowds if you're willing to hike. Finding shade is still an issue. Ventura offers an abundance of sport, Trad and bouldering, as does Santa Barbara with few crowds, shade and spring fed streams that run year round. I'm out camping and climbing almost every weekend. Feel free to hit me up anytime and I'll show you around. I also have a wife and daughter that love to get out too.
Look up Wheeler Gorge campgrounds as an easier place to reserve a site, shady, streams, climbing, and only a few miles from downtown ventura and the beaches.
Also, it's not a far drive to the Sierras and I'm sure you know a bit about how amazing it is there.

interesting

Wow, these are some great responses! I feel like I've hit a gold mine of awesome recommendations. Thank you all!!

Hi, Welcome to Ventura County.

tons of good and accurate information.... Only thing I'll add is this: Bring bug spray and a warm jacket. Esp if you go to Pine Mt or anyplace in the local Mts.
Hope to see you around at the local spots.

and to Joe..... its "The Sierra" .... already a plural, no need to add an extra S

good to hear your getting out....

Going to work for Patagonia?

Guy Keesee wrote: and to Joe..... its "The Sierra" .... already a plural, no need to add an extra S good to hear your getting out....

Thanks for the auto correct Guy. Climbing has completely engulfed me. I've been ignoring the surf for too long but it's hard to get in the water when our mountains have been so beautiful lately.
That skull is amazing! Looks like Arnold rd beach. I've seen many dead sea lions out there with bites taken out of them. The Base is the best wave I've ever had the pleasure to ride.

Joe... good to hear your getting the climbing bug, best to keep your hands dry.
And your right that is at Arnold rd beach..... AKA "The Dog Beach"

NorCalNomad wrote:Going to work for Patagonia?

Just finished medical school and moving to Ventura for orthopedic surgery residency.

krispyyo wrote: Just finished medical school and moving to Ventura for orthopedic surgery residency.

Wow that's cool, do you do side jobs? My usual Doc,who has performed 2 knee surgery's, and a Quadriceps re-attachment on me... Just retired from his practice to go and become the director of surgery at Thousand Oaks. So i'm out one very good, understanding doctor.

Again... welcome

Guy Keesee wrote: Wow that's cool, do you do side jobs? My usual Doc,who has performed 2 knee surgery's, and a Quadriceps re-attachment on me... Just retired from his practice to go and become the director of surgery at Thousand Oaks. So i'm out one very good, understanding doctor. Again... welcome

You probably won't want me doing any operations on you as a first year resident! Hit me up in five years though and I'll hook you up! Thanks for the welcome and hopefully you'll find another good doc.

Hey Kris,
I'm an RN in the hospital where you'll be doing your residency. You're in a great program, and you'll get lots of support here.

I grew up in the 805, raised my kids here. It's a great place to live and work. Look me up. I'll give you the keys to the county.

I work down in the Cath Lab/ER. Jus ask for "Davi". Everyone knows me, I'm a big man in my country.

Hey Davi, thanks for your reply and that's all awesome to hear. I'll be on call starting in late June, so I'm sure I'll be heading to the ER a lot. I'll be sure to find you and say hey. See you soon!