Ventura Pier, Ventura, CA

Ventura Pier
was established in 1872

Ventura Pier (est. 1872) Originally built in 1872 by R.G Salisbury, the pier once served steamships and was a vital mode of transportation in and out of Ventura until 1936. With the advent of the pier and the visiting steamships, the areas rich and abundant produce could make it off to market. New settlers and their supplies also found it easier to boat in than to go over the mountains. The large warehouse used for holding goods was so large that it started being used for exhibits, which became the County Fair.

The Sespe Oil Company commissioned the World’s first oil tanker, the "W.L. Hardison in 1898 which started its service at this pier. This pier also unfortunately saw the 160 foot oil tanker become the first to catch fire and burn in a spectacular series of explosions on June 25, 1899. Tragedies such as the W.L. Hardison along with storm and fire damage to the Ventura Wharf/Pier have been familiar to the pier.
In 1874 the schooner Lucy Ann went aground in swells near the pier. In 1876 two steamships the Kalorama and the Crimea were driven ashore during a spring storm. In 1914 large storm swells caused the S.S. Coos Bay to sever the pier in half and then forced the S.S. Coos Bay onto the beach and pounded it to pieces. When an oil barge cast off the last line from the wharf in 1936, an area of 64 years of the structure's service to the community came to an end and it took on its new role as a RECREATIONAL PIER that we enjoy today.

The Pier upgrades happened in 1993 when the pier underwent an ambitious $3.5 million restoration effort. It went through another $2.2 million upgrade - steel reinforced pilings and the square deck at the end in 1998. Individuals and businesses can obtain a plank "Grant Deed" for donations to the pier (starting at $1,000.00). These donations go to keep the $1 million endowment fund to maintain, enhance and preserve the pier via the Ventura County "Pier Into The Future" organization.

Todays Events

Ventura Map

CommunityWalk Map - Marina Park

Ventura County Calendar

Marina Park

With over fifteen-acres there is plenty of room to explore the warm sand dunes, kayak, or just find a quiet place sit and read under the tree at the southern edge of the park. Located across from the Ventura Harbor, Marina Park has stunning views of the Channel Islands, mountains, Ventura Pier and Ventura harbor. The Ventura Pier is located west of the park and can easily be seen from the nearby sand dunes.

While windsurfers slice across the ocean, vibrant sailboats head out towards the Channel Islands National Park, and children climb aboard the San Salvador. The San Salvador is a replica of the 105-foot, two masted schooner “San Buenaventura” which carried lumber and goods from Washington and Oregon to Ventura until it was lost at sea during a storm off Point George, Oregon in 1910.

Sailing and kayaking lessons are offered by the City of Ventura (with advance reservations) and beach cruiser bike rentals are offered nearby. Individual picnic/barbecue facilities, sand volleyball court, a hand-launch boat dock, children’s play area with a unique view of the channel islands, and public restrooms can also be found at the park.

Historically, the coastline just west of the pier was a popular launching and landing site for the native Chumash Indians' plank canoes called "tomols". It was at the nearby village of Shisholop, meaning "in the mud", that Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first encountered California Native Americans living there in 1542. Shisholop was settled about 1,000 A.D.

CommunityWalk Map - Marina Park

Thille Park Neighborhood Park

Ventura, CA

Thille Park is a five-acre park, which opened officially in July 2006. It has several exercise stations, jogging paths, basketball courts, and two playgrounds. Thille also has an 18’ kinetic whimsical wind sculpture titled “Making Lemonade – When life gives you lemons you make lemonade.”

Thille Park is centrally located near Barns Noble, Government Center, and the Vons shopping center.

Emma Wood State Park

Emma Wood is one of Ventura’s best-hidden gems. If you ever get a chance to visit Emma Wood State Park the best time to visit would be on a clear day in early spring. Emma Wood is also home to Terns, Plovers, Peregrine Falcons, Song Birds, Red-Tailed hawks, and dolphins. Views of Anacapa Island can be seen from the crumbling ruins of a WWII coastal artillery site.

Camping at Emma Woods is $20 per night and are open to only fully self contained RV’s. Although high tides may close the campground at any time, a visit here is well worth the slight inconvenience.


Emma Wood is also a short bike ride from the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Ventura River estuary. For those who are the adventurous type try a bike ride from Ventura Harbor to Emma Wood State Park. You can stop at the restaurants located near the Ventura Pier for lunch.

Arroyo Verde Park

With 14 acres of tree-lined open grass areas, two playgrounds, volleyball, baseball fields, and three BBQ areas, Arroyo Verde is an ideal setting for large family picnics. Dogs are allowed off the leash within the designated areas on the south side of the park only during designated hours.

This 132-acre family park is nestled amongst the chaparral-covered canyons and miles of hiking trails with stunning views of the Channel Islands. During the summer month’s families often bring large blocks of ice to slide down the well-worn paths found on the side of the grassy hills leading up towards the hiking trails. Arroyo Verde has often been home to sports events, concerts, and educational nature programs for kids.

Ventura Harbor

Situated on thirty-three acres, Ventura’s year-round mild climate, yearlong events, shopping, restaurants, and Marina make Ventura Harbor Village an ideal setting for quick weekend getaways.

Channel Island Packers take visitors on multi-day hiking and camping trips out to the Channel Islands National Park located 20 miles off the coast of Ventura. Channel Islands National Park encompasses five breathtaking islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara). Isolated for over thousands of years the Channel Islands National park has one of the most diverse ecosystems and is home to a unique range of plants and animals that are found no where else in the world.

San Miguel was inspiration for story Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’ Dell. Island of the Blue Dolphins is the true story of a Chumash woman who becomes stranded on the island when she realizes her son is not aboard the schooner “San Nicolas” which was taking the islanders to the mainland.

The Channel Islands are also the site of pygmy mammoths remains that were first discovered in early 1873. The remains of the mammoths can be seen at the Channel Islands Visitors Center at the northern edge Ventura Harbor Village.