Ventura Pier and Promenade Reviews

The Wife and I were famished and wanting sea food so we decided to take shot with the fish house at the end of the pier .We were in the area for the Santa Barbara Orchid show and not familiar with any of the restaurants and thought we would give it a shot ,Scored big time !

After seeing the pictures and reviews on trip advisor I took the family for a nice walk on the pier. Big mistake! The pier was in need of a good cleaning! There was fishing wire all over the place and fish intestines, eyeballs, etc, all over the pier. There were transients all over the pier and the smell of urine throughout. The beach itself was filthy and trash everywhere. I would not recommend anyone to go here and would rather recommend the drive down to Santa Monica or Santa Barbara. Pictures on the travel brochure are misleading.

Ventura Pier was first built in 1872 as a commercial wharf. Last renovated in 2000, it is now used for personal fishing and as a pedestrian walkway. With 360 views of Ventura and the Channel Islands, the pier boasts several benches and fish scaling tables to use at your leisure. In its current configuration, the pier is 1,600 feet (490 meters) long, so bring your walking shoes! Even more, there is a new brewery and taco/seafood establishment at the start of the pier that is definitely worth checking out if you are in the mood for something to fill you up.

Very beautiful views of the Ocean and the sunrise fromt he pier was amazing. There is also a Taco/ sea food place and bar right on the Pier.

Pier is actually quite long. Set up as a fishing pier, but there are a couple of really good eating places at the land end... The brewery is good.

Just a nice organic stroll w/o being bombarded with commercial or retail ads or shops. If you find it uninteresting like others have said then go elsewhere. However, if you like unincumbered views of the ocean, beaches and sunrises/sunsets then this is for you. It's not in its original configuration as the original pier was much longer to accommodate the old Spanish wooden ships. It's still a very nice, interesting walk.

Eat and drink at the restaurants on the pier, fabulous views of the ocean and people-watching. Watch out for the homeless, the city has let this problem get out of control but you can bypass them if you don't aggravate them. Jest be careful.

Nice location and a clean historic pier to fish off of or take a lovely stroll to the end of it. Great panoramic view of local beaches and the Channel Islands. Two nice eateries on the pier with many others close by.

this is such a beautiful place. especially if you enjoy the beach. there is food there and nice people. then walking down the pier we seen people fishing. nice family spot

This is worth a visit if you like history. There are several places on the pier walk where you can read about Ventura County and the role the pier played in the past ... and the views are great if you go at least once around 🌅

Ventura pier is very nice and much more quiet than similar piers at Santa Monica. Free to walk over and parking (garage) is $2 per two hours. Lots of fisherman on the pier trying to catch assorted fish.

I went to the beach to discover it's beauty. It was very nice. The walk was fun, the shops were fun to pop into. Not alot were open on Dec 25 can't blame them.
The trouble was the awful bathrooms on the beach. The only ones. So filthy. Not a very good representation for the city. I am a tourist and you can't find bathrooms at gas stations either. I realize you have a homeless issue in and around the city's. But you should at least make an effort to clean those bathrooms. Tourist and homeless are people.
Please do better. Doris Kessler

Not much in the way of shopping....or activities although there is access to the beach. Would not recommend it for a destination activity.

The pier was ok but hardly any retail vendors around like the Orange County piers. The only thing at the pier is the Beach House Tacos so if you like just walking out over the water it is OK.

Loved a walk around Downtown Ventura and the Pier is a joy to stroll down any time of the year. No entrance fee and it is a decent sized Pier giving you a fabulous view of the beach and surfers

We decided to visit the pier on a hot day in August, enjoy a birthday lunch and cool off from the valley heat. The weather was perfect and a seafood lunch at Brophy Brothers was delicious, but many of the shops were out of business and all in all this area was a bit sad given what it used to be when it was first developed. The water sport rentals are still available and a local boat ride seemed to be enjoyed by some people. It is also across the street from the ocean.

A great place to visit in evenings to view sunset and see the city. It’s nice that it’s not commercialized and not crowded. Check out out the old photos on the deck. The pacific breeze is clean/crisp and the water is amazing, especially as the sun sets and you see the Channel Islands in the background. Around two ‘seasons’ a year, there is dense fog and it can get chilly when the fog rolls in. I heard this many times, Ventura is like the popular so-cal beach towns in Orange County in the 1960s before they got crowded and popular. Ventura is way under appreciated!

I've been here just for a short stroll w/ my camera..... They have an assortment of places to eat... It's clean but can be crowded.

This is a very nice area to take a relaxing walk near the ocean. There are hotels and restaurants nearby. Parking is readily available.

So nice to wake up in the morning right across from this pier and take a walk. You could fish off the pier, the weather was perfect both in the morning and at night.
Lunch on the pier was awesome. We ate at the fish house there. The tacos were amazing and so was the street corn on the cob.

TWO THUMBS UP!!!

Enjoyed strolling on the pier. Nothing really going on, a few fisherman & walkers. Just kind of a relaxing place to watch the ocean. It is very very nice that it is pet friendly!

I love this pier and the entire surrounding area. It’s one of my favorite rambles when I visit Ventura. There are beach cruisers and quads for rent with a biking/walking path that stretches to the harbor, delicious tacos to snack on and the horizon seems endless. Dog walkers, surfers, tourists and locals all come together here and it’s a small town, friendly atmosphere.

nice promenade with beach access and food, nice for beach viewing or walking in the beach or watching the surfers.
The stormchaser says nice walk

This is an historic peer and a pleasant stroll to view the ocean. A nice walk on Christmas Day. What is not to love about the beach?

Although this pier does not have the attractions that Santa Monica has, it was a great stop to relax and enjoy an adult beverage from the great restaurant on the pier. The sunset was very nice.

It certainly is the longest pier I have ever been on. It looks like its in good condition--repairs on it have been done to keep it like that. it is usually windy in the late afternoon and evening, so go prepared. Restaurants and businesses are on the beginning end of the pier, as opposed to other piers.

Longest wooden pier surviving in California..a great place to stroll or fish....good place to eat and drink.Cool.

Nice area a couple of good restaurants that will validate you parking so you don't have to pay. Sunset dinner on the pier is always nice.

My husband and I walked along the pier. It was a nice walk, that was calming and relaxing. Its an old fishing pier so there were people fishing when we were there. The weather was nice and cool.

The promenade along the beach is a delightful stroll. The sound of waves crashing along the shore along with watching the early morning surfers offers a very relaxing experience. The people you meet along the walk are friendly and engaging and all of the dog walkers had friendly pets. We even passed a guy walking his two goats. There are plenty of benches along the walk should you choose to sit a while and take in the beauty. Very pleasant.

I drove to the pier and wanted a nice easy walk, an easy one the legs and knees the sand or the usual promenade walk was out of the question. I still wanted a great view of the beach and the pier did not disappoint! It been had years since I had gone out on the the pier and yes it had been way longer... it was a long time ago! It was a beautiful walk and it seemed like a long pier to me. Ventura you still look Amazing from the water after all these years.

Lots of homeless around the pier and approaching families for change. No public restrooms so it really smells of urine where they are living in their cars in the parking lots.

Traveling with young child and they really enjoyed the walk. The view of the shoreline is very nice and Ventura foothills.. Be sure to wear flat shoes heels are not advised. It can be cooler and windier at end of pier. There are many fishermen on the pier.

We enjoyed walking the pier and watching the local fishermen. Dogs are allowed on the pier. There are 2 restaurants with outdoor seating.

Loved that it was from 1872 and still standing strong..nice views of the ocean and back over the beach and downtown.
Mesmerising to watch the ocean, very peaceful.
Lovely fish restaurant and a taco hut on the pier and there is a little kids playground and bike rental place nearby.

my family surfs here, so we always take a walk to stretch our legs. The pier is a classic old wooden pier, with a great view. It's perfectly safe during the day, but kind of a colorful crowd (like much of Ventura). If you're at the beach already, enjoy the walk. It's just not a destination in and of itself.

This is a wonderful place for a walk. On the hottest days inland, the ocean breeze will cool you off. There has been some damage over the years from high tides, but the ocean views are still lovely.

This a good place to walk since the pier takes you all the way down into the ocean. There are several great restaurants around.

Memorial day weekend is a nice day to visit the pier and promenade, provided you time it right to avoid any special events, like running. US Flags adorn the pier. Clean air and family safe area in general, North side has wide beaches at low tide. Pier is in good shape and the temp is around 68 F. A couple places to eat at the lands end.

Driving South on the Pacific Coast Highway by the time you get to Ventura you're right down at the oceanfront. We decided to explore the area a bit and discovered this nice place to walk. Its right off the Highway 101 and there is plenty of parking in downtown Ventura. This is a nice well maintained pathway and you can walk northwest from the pier to surfer's point. If you walk back to the pier area there are some nice beachfront restaurants. We went to the Von's Store a couple of blocks away and bought some take out food and had a picnic on a bench right on the promenade. Right by where we ate is Promenade Park and this park had restrooms and showers for the beachgoers. It was a little foggy on a warm sunny November afternoon but we had a great break from driving and enjoyed the area.

Pier is great! Also surrounded by hotels bars and restaurants ! Very close to nightlife in downtown Ventura.

Not really a boardwalk, but great paved bike/walking path. Restaurants, bars and bike rentals. Can ride/walk from Ventura to Carpenteria off the roadways. Great island and surfer views!

Very disappointed. For starters the public restrooms are not clean or kept up. Some areas of the bike path smell like urine. The pier itself is in need of repair and cleaning and stinks of improperly stored fish. Be careful when walking on the pier as there are many people fishing that are not careful when casting their lines (they don't check behind them).

The beach was very nice to see. The views were very nice. It was a nice place to visit on a beautiful day in sunny California.

There were Fun Shops and a Museum.we enjoyed watching the sailboats come into the harbor. You have to pay for parking if you stay longer than an hour

It's a very nice and peaceful walk along the pier, there are some shops and restaurants but only at the beginning of the pier, besides that there isn't much else. However I like the fact that it isn't crowded, it's very quiet and peaceful, and there are lots of benches along the way to just sit, relax and enjoy the view.

The Ventura Pier and Promenade is the longest wooden pier on the west coast of the United States. It has been renovated several times but stands against the tides of times. Feel the current below as it kisses the pylons. Ever present water fowl greet visitors to the pier with dives upon lamp posts, while eyeing bait left unattended by anglers. Views of nearby islands, mountains, or sunsets in the evening will give you everlasting memories.

My wife and I went for a walk along the bike path and out to the end of the Ventura Pier. There isn't really anything to see on the pier itself, but we enjoyed watching a pod of dolphins swim by the end of the pier and two baby dolphins jumping out of the water and playing. The pier sort of smells a little bit of old wood soaked in saltwater and fish guts, but the scenery is pretty.

Walked around the pier after lunch. Good people watching. Not much else to do but take photos and watch the fishermen. Didn't look like they were catching too much but fun to watch. Take a sweater as the pier can get breezy. Couple of fast food fish takes outs looked interesting but we had lunch and had to pass them up. Looks like they may have been setting up a sidewalk market perhaps.

When visiting Ventura, this pier is a must visit place. This gives you a beautiful view of the beach and a place to eat and drink while enjoying the ocean view and the breeze.

With temperatures over 110F in the inland areas in LA, it’s quite a relief to come out here to feel the ocean breeze brushing over your face.

The pier is long and crowded but very one seemed to observe safety measures by wearing masks. There’s only one restaurant on the pier and the line looked very long.

The walk on the pier was very pleasant with the temperature’s around 70F. From the pier, you can watch people swim in the ocean. The water’s kind of dirty but people don’t mind and seemed to having a good time.

For parking, there is public parking structure next to the pier for $10. If you eat there and stay less than 2 hours, there is no charge.

It's a pretty plain pier. A couple of simple restaurants and a public restroom, but that's about it.

Lovely area to relax and wander in the sun enjoying the views and vibe. Loved watching the wind surfers and paddle boarders from the pier as well as seals basking in the sun. Enjoyable pm in Ventura.

One of the few Southern California piers to allow dogs! Otherwise, it's a pier. People fishing, walking, soaking up the sun and surf.

The pier is iconic to Ventura. The restaurants at the head have classic seafood; especially the fish tacos at the Beach House. It is a popular spot for fishing "off the pier" and for watching the surfers off Surfer's Point. Be sure to read the history plaques along the pier. There are also signs discussing the different wildlife. If it's clear, the channel islands can be seen on the horizon.

The long walk and the views are gorgeous. We noticed quite a few people fishing 🎣 from the pier. They have two restaurants. A taco house and a fish house. We chose the fish house. It was casual, place your order and then they bring it to you. The food was good.

The pier was originally built in 1872, making it one of California’s oldest wooden piers. Now the pier features display panels, a snack bar, benches, restrooms, a full-service seafood restaurant with a gift shop and spectacular views of the Channel Islands, coastline and mountains. Walk to the end of the pier, turn around and get an amazing view of the hills above Ventura. I live in Ventura and my spouse and I visit the pier and the Promanade frequently.

Gorgeous weather and fabulous people watching. Even had fun listening to fishermen’s “fish stories”. Enjoyed the restaurants and the shops.

I enjoy the walk on the pier and the walk on the Promenade. If the marine layer is missing you can get a beautiful view of the Channel Islands. There's good signage on the pier about the islands, fish and history. A walk on the Pomenade has great attractions particularly of the human variety. A large cast of characters from runners, families walking, tourists and surfers. The surfing is good and the surfers great to watch. Food on the pier with amazing tacos. rent a bike and enjoy a ride.

We traveled PCH for several days and had a stop in Ventura. Stayed at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza that has remarkable views. Walked into town and had a great visit on their main street. Felt very safe with five kids and would recommend a stop in this town to anyone. The hotel had a great fire pit area along the promenade with an excellent staff. We have stayed in several towns up and down the coast of California but this was our first stop in Ventura. We will definitely return as it is a great stop over for dinner and an early morning walk as you travel beautiful Highway 1 and 101. There were plenty of restaurants for any type cuisine you wanted in the main walking district.

My son & I went fishing this morning at the end of the pier. It was very relaxing and while we didn't catch anything today, it was fun with quality time between us.

There wasn't anything particularly captivating or entertaining about the pier, there is a free public bathroom.

We were there during the big storm. Got a break for a day to visit the beach and pier. Love it...but the beach is very rocky.

Who doesn't like strolling along the pier? I didn't check out the restaurants, figuring hey were tourist traps.

Maybe it’s early season still but it was very quiet, shops laid out a bit all over the place. Just walked round and had ice cream.

very nice walk on the pier out into the Pacific - do it you have 25 minutes on the way to somewhere else

My husband who is now in his 60's used to come fishing here when he was in junior high school, so he was long overdue to a visit! This is a long pier and the views are really great! The pier was clean and interesting, tho ladies do be sure to wear real shoes (no high heels!) as it is a real wooden pier with splinters. The water was clean and clear. The beach on one side looked really steep but people were sunbathing further up on the sand. If you want to swim you may want to look for a more gradual water entry. I'm sure there are plenty to choose from. People fish from the pier so you can either do that or watch others, or just enjoy the walk and the sightseeing. There is a small walkup window restaurant Beach House Tacos on the end of the pier closest to shore which is the Trip Advisor number one Mexican restaurant in Ventura. My grilled shrimp tacos with tomatillo/avocado sauce were to die for! There is a multi level parking structure also at the shore end of the pier, and a wonderful and quite large children's playground on the sand there too. There were ample benches on the pier to sit and relax which is always nice. The fresh sea breeze was lovely. We will return soon!

Driving down on the way to LA, we stopped over at Pismo Beach but it was under renovation so we stopped over at the Ventura Pier. I love the fact that there is a restaurant right on the pier with inexpensive items to munch on.

After a great lunch at Beach House Tacos, we walked to the end of the "longest wooden pier in California." Great views back to the city and a great series of informational "posters" on the history of the city.

This stroll never gets old. Pretty views all around. A “must do” if you’re In town or need to stretch your legs. Go to the end for the keyhole. It’s unique to this Pier. 😎👍🌊

There is not a lot of retail here, but it's a fun place if you like nature and natural things. The pier is popular for fishing and for people to walk on with its rough timbered decking. A full-service restaurant is available, plus a casual beach tacos hut with ice cream bars, beer and wine. Go watch the sunrise!

Great pier with great view of the ocean. The pier contains one of the best fish and shrimp taco places around. Enjoy the smell of the salty ocean and the walk.

Lovely stroll to the end of the pier with a fantastic view of the Channel Islands at the end. There’s also a couple of seafood restaurants on the promenade.

The pier and surrounding restaurants is not very extensive but this is part of it's charm. Parking is good and it's easy to find as it is right off the freeway.

Simple Pier affording nice views of the Ventura coastline. It has a cafe at the start of the pier for a coffee or snack. Beaches around are nice and there is a huge car park next to Pier making it easy to visit. It is largely used by locals fishing.

Nice to walk with the kids and the ice cream is great. Parking is a bit harder to find. Nice view of the mountains and the beach. Will add to stop list from now on.

I usually run from along the beach and always stop at the pier. On a clear day, you can see for miles and it is one of the most peaceful spots to sit back, listen to the seagulls and relax.

an okay pier, Ventura has a few and plenty of shops and food. good sights great walks and cycling wear your sunglasses

A great walk, awesome views of land and the layout. The signs, though sometimes hard to read, provide great info on the past and present of the economy and history of the area.

I love piers. But somehow this pier is...just long, and bent. If that’s ok with you then fine. I wanted to walk to the end and I did, and as I was in Ventura for the first and probably the last time I was glad I did.
It was windy, and it was sunny and it was fun. But beware there isn’t anything else on this pier.

If you like the idea of walking, accompanied by views, and chatting with good friends, then this is a very good choice. In a sense it is a true 'promenade', where the word is both a verb and a noun. To 'promenade' is to do more than walk, and here you have the opportunity to sight-see, people-watch, do some rich-envying, bird-watch and contemplate the great questions of life. Such as, what is it?

Anyway, here you can choose from a wide variety of eating options, do some shopping (if you really must), get some exercise and breath fresh ocean air.

If you are of an age, you can even ponder on the lyrics to America's 'Ventura Highway' and wonder where, exactly, it might be.

The pier is fine, nothing special, but we enjoyed walking out to the end for a nice walk.
Easy walk, no smoking, and a nice cafe at start.

The kids loved the beach. The pier is nice as well. There was even a free bible literature cart. Loved it.

It's a great place to walk, many shops and restaurants. The Pier is fun-and you can watch the fishermen and the surfers.

Beautiful views on a clear day. Enjoyed our stroll on the boards. Pay to park although much of downtown Ventura offers free parking in garages. Crowded on this perfect sunny Saturday afternoon.

We just moved to the area and visit the pier frequently. We have discovered the places to park, free of charge, and walk to the pier. I believe it's $10 if you park in the state park lot. There's a parking structure you can park in for free IF you have your ticket validated by beach house tacos. We are usually always approached by a homeless person when visiting, not that it is much of an issue. I'm This is a pretty straight forward pier, there are 2 places to eat and that's it. You come here for the views. You can watch the surfers or, as we discovered just this week, watch the local fire department train in water rescue. We were also lucky enough to see a sea lion swimming around. We have found the playground area in the sand below very trashy and a little unsafe for young children, but they might have picked it up. I gave this a very good rating because, despite anything negative I've mentioned, we love coming here and always enjoy ourselves.

Visited Ventura four times, but this is the first time we walked along the Pier. Lots of activity, with fisherman on either side (didn't see anyone catching fish, however). Great taco place that we enjoyed-eating outside in the beautiful sunshine. We usually are riding our bikes, so this is why we had never walked up the stairs to the pier walk before.

If you're looking for something relaxing and free to do while in Ventura then come take a walk on the pier. Its actually quite long so it takes awhile to get to the end. The day we went it wasn't too crowded and we quite enjoyed our walk despite the fact it was pretty chilly with the wind blowing. I would definitely recommend dressing in layers with a long sleeve hoodie or jacket to keep you warm. Overall we had a great time and we would definitely visit here again.

Driving from Santa Barbara along the coast is always such a beautiful drive as long as the traffic is light. This day was perfect. No traffic or crowds of people. We ate at the Lure on the way today and as always it was perfect in every way. This area is a jewel.....

Very disappointed that the pier was closed and I couldn’t tell why. The whole promenade was still open to enjoy but I couldn’t tell if the pier was just closed that afternoon or for an extended time for repairs. I’m sure it’s wonderful in good weather when accessible.

This is right on the water, surrounded by some great restaurants and it's the old style board walk. It's also not a far walk to the Ventura Fairground, Crowne Hotel and some outstanding bars, and many different shops. It's a pier and just by that definition alone you know what you are getting

Nice pier..close to parking. Restaurants on pier and nearby for nice meal.

Not very crowded...foothills and mountains for its backdrop.

Great view of the waves, on the pier there is food, and at the end there is a hole where you can see down. I stepped in dog crap because somebody didn’t take care of their animal

We walked or dog to the pier one afternoon. (there are plenty of signs that say no dogs on the beach) You can have dogs on the pier for sure! Right along the coastline there are plenty of wonderful ocean views. Many people walk, ride, or jog this strip of land so be aware of bike bells and other pets. Good vibes on a great day! You can get spectacular photos in every direction. It is very near the 101 highway. They have shaded parking under the highway. (Locals know the spot) The paved trails are good for long boarding too!

We walked at night after dinner. The pier was closed, but walking the promenade was very pleasant.
In the morning, we. Walked downtown. The streets were closed to autos, making it a very pleasant walk for a very nice breakfast and shopping.

Ventura Pier and Promenade have an appeal all of their own - more of that in a minute, First things first. Initial access borders on the bizarre, particularly if you approach from any of the streets south of the pier. You find yourself in what's best described as a 'light industrial area' and before you can access the footbridge (over Highway 101) you have to navigate railway lines and a rather seedy looking parking lot. I'm sure locals don't even notice but as a first time visitor it's a less than welcoming introduction to what is actually a great, understated area.

Don't expect loads of shops, eateries and entertainment a la Santa Monica but do expect a very cool, old wooden pier, a couple of excellent restaurants and a lovely promenade along the city beaches. The whole area really has a 'local' feel and is all the better for it. Ventura has a very relaxed, friendly vibe and you learn to get your kicks from the simple things; watching surfers surf, fishermen fish and eating tacos whilst sipping a strong drink as another beautiful sunset slips by.

A recent trip to CA and old haunts was very disappointing, after 17 yrs, more people (the population doubled), more housing, the beaches went downhill, the pier is not what it was. They covered the beach with rocks, parking is not free anymore, there's a fee for everything, definitely not as advertised or as the tourism pictures show. There are still some shops and restaurants, but not the quaint place it was! Not returning.

The Ventura Pier was very nice with awesome views of the Ocean, Channel Island and Ventura. There were very interesting history displays all the way to the end of the pier. Unfortunately, they were somewhat faded and in need of repair, but still readable. We stopped and ate at the Beach House Fish restaurant located on the pier. Overall a very pleasant experience.

This pier was underwhelming given that places like Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf or the Santa Monica Pier are actual attractions with a multitude of restaurants and activities. This place had a couple of restaurants, a store and a number of people looking to catch fish. Not really worth going out of the way to visit. Also, the promenade and adjacent beach are actually fairly short.

I live in Ventura. I do love taking a walk down the pier. It's just a nice spot to get out above the water, and get a beautiful view of the city of Ventura. You can fish from the pier, and you'll see plenty of folk fishing if you take the walk.

The promenade is a concrete pathway running parallel to the beach. North of the pier it heads to surfer's point, and a small park, and eventually to the bike path that leads to Ojai. Heading south, it clings more to the road, without a constant view of the beach.
On a clear day, it's great. There are two restaurants actually on Pier, and a couple just north of it, plus a children's playground. Another reviewer talked about expensive parking: if you're willing to walk a little, you can park near Front St. and take a pedestrian overpass.
Ultimately, the pier itself is just a pier. But it's nice to be near the beach.

Had a walk on pier just as the sun was going down got lovely photos. Try fish a chips very tasty but give the tacos a miss.

You can walk the whole length of the pier. Good place to people watch .You can fish off the pier as well. Nice views from the pier.

This was a nice, scenic walk. It's not touristy like other piers, with only a taco shack, sea food restaurant, and shop at the end. Beware, it gets windy and chilly out there - bring a jacket!

You pay to park by the pier but any restaurant can validate the parking. We didn't walk on the beach but noticed playground equipment which is nice.

What can I say? It's all so beautiful. When I was in my 20's my sister & I lived in Port Hueneme. We spent a lot of time at the beach. After work we'd sit on the rocks, have our dinner, drink our wine & watch the sun go down. Ventura has changed a bit as does everything. It still is beautiful & holds many wonderful memories.

We loved the pier it gave great history lesson about this thing. It was peaceful, it seemed like locals enjoyed going for an evening stroll. It was cold though (not the piers fault). But it walked us through why and when the pier was built and rebuilt, fish and birds that are around the area. It was just nice, easy to get to with parking on both sides (one was a parking garage).

Coming from the UK, one expects when visiting a pier to have rather tacky shops and amusement arcades, but this is just a plain walkway to a platform, and all the better for it.

Nice views, fresh air; really enjoyed it!

I was at the park next door relaxing and taking some photos. I saw that the pier was in walking distance, so I took a nice trail to the pier.

It took about 20 minutes to get to the pier and another 10 or fifteen to walk all the way to the end. I like to read, so I stopped every time there was a kiosk that talked about the history of the pier, which I found very interesting. I didn't know that the Ventura Pier is the oldest wooden pier in California.

There were many people fishing off the pier. A lot of them looked local and there were a smattering of tourists as well. The fishermen were catching fish, but they were pretty small. I hope they threw them back.

Along the walkway there were quite a few homeless people, but nobody approached me asking for money. A couple of parts along the walk felt sketchy, but nothing to make you feel unsafe.

My favorite part of the walk was right where I started. There was an older gentleman selling hotdogs. For $6.00 I got a hotdog, chips and a bottle of water. I found a nice rock to sit on and ate my food while I watched the surfers doing their thing.

A nice walk on the pier in the morning..birds, fishermen, water and waves and the beautiful reflection of the sun on the water. A foot bridge was right behind our hotel that took us to the pier!!

The beautiful weather is a huge plus with very little annual rain. It a nice walk and the area was clean. People were able to walk, run and cycle. Families enjoyed quality time on the beach and restaurants close by to have a meal

Great place for a walk and fish off pier. Even a restaurant on pier. Very safe and well built pier. Good views. Benches to sit . Paid parking but reasonable.

to stroll up the pier. Fishing allowed anywhere on pier.
Good view back over Ventura although the Crown Plaza is a bit of a blot on the landscape, how did that get permission?
If you position yourself right though you can get a picture with one on the pier signs to block it our for your photo!

The pier is great any time of the day with people fishing or just taking in the views. You often get to see a pelican or two and we missed out on a visiting sea lion this time.

Our accommodation was right next to this place, so we enjoyed a stroll down to the pier. At September there wasn't that many people down there so we got to hangout just listening to the waves and the seagulls.

Went there one afternoon for the first time and it was quite lovely. Great waterfront restaurants and bars. Definitely recommend for a nice afternoon or evening out.

Not much to see pretty run down and needs an overhaul. Promenade pretty quiet not good for souvenirs

I love to walk this pier and watch the surfers ride the waves in to a lovely beach. It is also fun to watch people fishing and check out their catch. The view is to the West and beautiful. The sound of the waves washing in is one of my favorite sounds. It's a great place for an ocean view walk without getting sand in your shoes.

We ate at the Beach House Fish place with lots of outdoor seating on the pier and excellent food - yummy!

went here to see the ocean on our trip was a great day and really enjoyed the sun and surf saw lots of people enjoying the beach

Growing up here, I have many fond memories associated with this pier. It is one of the places I bring my quests when they come from out of state. I really like the informative plaques along the railings that give you an overview of it's various functions in historical events. And of course, it is always glorious to be out in the sunshine and on the water.

The pier is quite pleasant and fun to watch the people fishing.
The promenade along the water is quite extensive.

There’s something magical about Ventura Pier when the fog rolls in. Locals were still out fishing, bundled in hoodies and sharing laughs, while couples strolled hand in hand, disappearing and reappearing like ghosts in the fog. Ventura Pier on a foggy evening isn’t about views—it’s about vibe. And if you ever need to clear your head or soak in some quiet beauty, this is the place.

Its a short walk, but something about being over the water is calming. A few people fishing off the pier and a few to a moderate number of tourists, not crowded. Very near downtown and restaurants. Benches if you want to sit down, but lots of gulls too.

What to say, nice pier, nice long beach, great for walking or running, gift shop and restaurant.

Great views, lots of people fishing off the pier, quiet and relaxing.

My daughter and I visited here in September 2017 and were very impressed. Very good food with tables set up so you can see the ocean while you eat. Right on the boardwalk so very convenient location

This pier has with stood many a storm.. It has had portions repaired,replaced washed away over the decades.. It is so pretty though. See to Catalina Island,and.beyond..

This is a few miles long and has a very nice pier. The parking is easy. $10 per car for entrance into the park. The sand is nice and the rocks are smooth. Not very crowded either.

The area gets - questionable- at night. During the day we found this to be a nice place for a day at the beach.
The food stops at the pier yield some tasty treats. The taco place has good tasting, yet micro, tacos. The fish house has a very limited menu, but the chowder was outstanding and with the fish and chips you get a generous portion. Get there in time to finish before closing. Seems the nice locals don't stay really nice after closing time....

The beach had a terrific nativity scene made from rocks. We even met the artist. The pier had lots of historical info and plaques. It was a gorgeous view. There's a playground for kids. And the fish taco place was delicious!

We had a great day walking on the pier, talking to the people fishing, and stoping for a beer. Beautiful sunsets!!

We stopped at Santa Barbara for lunch & decided Ventura would be nice There is nothing exciting here. The pier is boring. Homeless people by the beach. This is our first & very last time in Ventura. Traveled from San Francisco & stopped in towns along the way. Could have & should have passed up on this sad town Horrible and sooooo boring!!!!

Very long pier that actually rises in elevation as you walk out. They have a snack shack and restaurant at the beginning of the pier. Also restrooms but didnt use them so dont know how clean they were. Several fishermen on the pier. We actually walked to the pier from Marina Park for a round trip of 6.1 miles. Beautiful wildflowers on the walk.

After lunch we strolled down the pier. It was busy because of Surf Rodeo, but we were still able to leisurely stroll and people watch.

Ventured out (haha)to the pier from my hotel. There were people fishing and people strolling. Lots of pelicans and birds to see. There is also a beach walk up and down from the pier, and you can venture North a bit to Surfer's point to watch the surfer's.

Great pier for a sunset stroll. Not too busy (was there on a Saturday night) and got two good restaurants at the front. Also there is a playground in the sand for the kids. Convenient parking options available. Either a $10 day spot or $2 hour spot if you go to the hotel parking garage.

Nice time. Beautiful views. Most people were wearing masks. Free parking for under two hours. Over that, $10 for 6-8 hours.

Nice walk on the pier after dinner. Lots of seagulls, fisherman, bikes, joggers, and (unfortunately) dog bombs-watch your step.

Very pleasant late evening walk with a visit to the end of the pier. Lots of families and people fishing.

We drove in through the State Beach entrance and paid $10 for parking. We walked on the Pier and enjoyed the sunset.

This was one of the highest rated things to do in Ventura. But no matter where you looked you had to pay between $5 and $10 just to park to walk on the pier. So we decided that probably wasn't worth it.

The pier area is a bit run down and the restrooms were a desaster, do not use. The area has a parking structure that was almost at copacity on a chilly day in March, can not imagine in the summer.
The promenade and beach were very nice and clean and there is a large beach area with play structures for the kids. The pier is nice and you can get some nice views of the beach and ocean. There is The Beach House Tacos and Beach House Resturant at the base of the pier. These are the only comercial places around which is nice. The Beach House Tacos are fantastic. Saw a lot of fisherman along the pier but did not see anyone with any fish.
As I stated at the start there is only one restroom and they were discusting, so do not use the restroom while you are there.

Ventura, and it’s pier, was a great “road trip” destination for us while we were staying in LA. The old, wooden planks on the pier are a bit uneven in a few places, but they definitely add to the “character” of the structure. Beautiful views abound. Restaurant on the land side of the pier.

Awesome place to view the water and enjoy the outdoors. It was a beautiful day for watching the waves.

I grew up and live here. This is part of the essential Ventura. Downtown Main Street, the pier and the board walk, and the cross at Grant park are essentials. Maybe the harbor too.

In my opinion, the heart of Ventura centers around the pier and promenade. I'm there walking every weekend, down to Surfer's Point and back, then out to the end of the pier to see how the 'Chasing Tail' fishing crew is doing. Then breakfast at Beach House Tacos on the pier and maybe a mimosa or Bloody Mary chaser. Just another weekend in paradise!

A nice old, long pier. There is parking right at the beginning of the pier. I would recommend going to watch the sunset. There were a couple of homeless people on the pier when we walked.

As far as peers go this one is bland average, nondescript, I prefer Redondo Beach pier type, with shops restaurants,etc.

My husband and I grabbed a beer and walked out on the Ventura Pier. It's a grand old pier!!! The boards are sturdy and HUGE. American flags fly along one side of the pier. Fishermen and sightseers alike enjoy the pier. The views are spectacular and it's free. A couple restaurants at the shore end and restrooms too.

This pier is a nice spot for a stroll. Locals were fishing. There is a nice view of the ventura coastline. There are a couple of shops and eateries.

My family took a leisurely stroll down Ventura Pier at sunset. Absolutely breathtaking view of the sunset and Ventura

We headed to Ventura for the evening to stroll the beach and pier and grab a bite to eat. We were thrilled by the pier and walking paths. Great place to watch surfers!

Whole family spent day at the pier and beach. Was very relaxing and my 3 year old grandson especially had a ball!

We are walkers so walking the seawall promenade was a must. It was excellent. It has a nice length passing varied landscape ranging from surfer filled beach to natural bird sanctuary and riverside. The Pier is a nice stop with historic photos and info on display. We walked the Promenade everyday while in Ventura.

I have been down here a few times and it's always been good. Early morning is good usually busy with people fishing...

Nice to watch the sunset in the evening...

Worth a visit

We visit the pier as a first stop before heading to Main St. We love to go to the taco shack and fuel up before the long day. There is also 2 restaurant options on the pier as well. This is one of the longest , Historical piers on the West Coast and it's a good 5-10 minute walk on wide rough planks to the end .
The embarcadero has several types of pedal powered options for rent .
The beach just North of the pier is family friendly and has several play structures right on the sand and is right next to a lifeguard tower .

We visited this site on a weekday. The pier was not crowded and the view was nice. The sign boards with historical photos were not visible due to opaque plexiglass. Not much else to do there but there’s two restaurants.

We visited the Ventura Pier and Promenade after biking from the Ventura Beach RV Resort. The pier was just ok. The views were great, but there were only 1 or 2 shops and restaurants. If you are only looking for views this pier is fine.

The pier is a quick walk and many people who sit around all day fishing, but I couldn't tell if any were successful. No frills. If you wear flip flops, beware of splinters when it gets caught between the wood planks

This wharf (The Wharf) has been destroyed and replaced many times since it was first built, and it's a popular place to see the ocean , channel islands, and sunsets.

This is mostly used as a fishing pier. There are a couple places to eat. Nice appt to watch the sun rise/set. Can usually see surfers from here.
Paid parking or walk from a block
Or so away. More for locals than a cool visitor spot.

I enjoyed a stroll on Ventura Pier. It was fun to read about the history and watch the fisherman of all ages. The views of ocean and back toward land are beautiful.

This boardwalk is long, wide and generally uncrowded. For an after-dinner stroll by the ocean, it's hard to beat!

We took a walk on the Ventura Pier and Promenade one evening after dinner. It is a very pleasant place to walk. There are a few restaurants and a gift shop on the pier. There were quite a few people fishing and others walking. There is a children's play area on the beach next to the pier. There were people riding bikes and running along the cement promenade. Benches are available to sit and look at the beach and the ocean. The day we were there we watched a photographer taking pictures of a bride and groom on the beach. We parked at the parking structure along the promenade. There are public restrooms on the ground floor of the parking structure.

Took a walk here Sunday morning and there were plenty of folks fishing (saw somebody catch a shark and a guy catch a baby manta ray- he threw it back!) Beautiful views of the water and the trail along the beach.

There is a little taco/mexican place that serves breakfast too, it looked really good.

The Ventura Pier is a calm safe place to watch the water, walk the Pier and just breathe. There is less to do here than the Ventura Harbour (which has shops, more restaurants, a theater and comedy shows!) but it is also a lot less hectic and a nice place to unwind. I found some of the restaurants silly in the cost of the food they provided, seriously! The Pier lost a point for them, poor pier. Aloha! Isn't cheap, but the food is great and service too, and the portions were for real people, you will not leave hungry! Parking costs, but it costs most places these days! If you do eat at a nearby restaurant, be sure and ask if they can validate parking. Always bring a sweater, and more in colder months, it gets cold once that sun starts to set. want the kids to blow off some steam before dinner? Run them up and down the pier, or at the beach, then take them to Aloha! Or anyplace at the Harbour which is a short drive away. ( I also hear it is quite romantic at sunset or just after, but her, I wouldn't know about that. Leave your own review cute couples!)

It's really nice and romantic. Very quite compare to other beaches . Especially during the sunset. Easy cheap parking access.

Take a stroll, enjoy a great experience of the Pacific Ocean and clear your mind of all stress and worry. Bring yuor kids or stroll by yourself. ALl your care will fly away wiht the sea breezes.

Staying in Ventura for my birthday and to visit grown children. Like the area. Austen's is hit and miss. Wait staff not very accommodating when food criticized

My husband and I have traveled to several beaches in CA and this one is 3 out of 5 compared to others. It was average unfortunately.

This is a great place to visit on a warm weekend. Lots of restaurants, live entertainment from visiting bands, boat rides and more

Because of the unusual almost east/west orientation of Ventura, the beach promenade and pier is a great place to watch sunsets and moonrises as well as sunrises and moonsets! Travel along the promenade from the Ventura State Beach to the river and back by bicycle or on foot for a nice workout and take a detour out to the end of the pair along the way. Bring a jacket-- it can get windy! I live nearby and do this walk at least once a week and whenever friends from out of town visit, this is a favorite way to chat while we walk and enjoy the views. This is a great walk all year round with different sights to see during different seasons.

This could be a short (ish) visit, but if you have the time, spend some time at this location! People who will really enjoy this are those who love the ocean, people watching and the tranquility of the tides and waves. I also enjoyed watching the fishermen, although the very squeamish might not. Be sure to eat some Seafood on the pier; it is locally sourced and SO Fresh. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a Thick Sweater!!! I can't emphasize this enough, because it is very Windy and can get pretty cold, depending on the time of day/year! I didn't the first time, and boy, was I SORRY. Still, It was SO worth it.

Nice place to visit. There is a state park entrance and a $10 fee to get in if you want to park. Worth the fee if you're going to hang out at the beach for a day.

Cool pier. Not happy that it opened late with no notice. Pier was supposed to open at 6:30am. At 7:15am it was not open. People like to fish off the pier and you get a good view of the hotel and ocean from a far distance as if you were in the ocean looking back at the land

There was an event on the pier the day we went so we werent able to walk all the way down but it was a nice pier with a nice view of the water and the beach.

i was there over the weekend in a very hot summer day with my family , we took a walk on the beach side then we go on the pier , the one with lots of history a very simple pier but a nice place to relax ( built in 1872 ) still standing with a nice view

This was a nice added touch to a boring area. The fish tacos on the pier was grand though. I would go there and visit it again.

Enjoy a walk, take pictures, smell the ocean and enjoy a rest on a bench. Check sunset or rise times for best experiences.

Nice clean beach and pier . A very fun atmosphere.Good for hanging out and sight seeing .The pier has great restaurants.

We really enjoyed the pier, just a nice walk from the downtown area (parked near the visitor center) and watched surfers and the ocean waves. We then drove to the other side to the shopping village part but the stores were closed at 7-ish.

We stopped by this pier to have same lunch nearby restaurant, ALOHA House, the owner of restaurant was nice enough for us to sit down outside table with our friend’s dog. After eating lunch, we walked to this pier, and we had no problem walking with a dog. Beautiful place, not crowded and relaxing atmosphere!

I always wanted to see Ventura Pier. Was here back in 07 at night and it was late so the Pier was closed. Went there today and enjoyed the beaches and Pier. Lots of people fishing and walking on the Pier.
There is a great seafood restaurant too.
Worth a visit.

We stayed at the Ventura Beach Marriott last weekend and this historic landmark pier came into view daily on our drive to and from downtown. We could not figure out how to access it by car. On our last day, en route back to the hotel we decided to give a final try, following Google direction. Our fault we could find parking. On this windy, cold morning, the pier looked bleak and desolate. Our enthusiastic desire to take a long stroll on the old wooden pier quickly dissipated. A disappointment.

This pier is great for walking and talking with friends. But it also has interpretive signs about the wildlife which boosts a lone visit. Take the time to sit on one of the many benches to enjoy the water longer.

We walk the pier every time we visit my son and his family in Ventura. This last time we also ate dinner at one of the pier restaurants. We were there at sunset, beautiful! Be aware it can be quite chilly and breezy on the pier in the evening.

Lovely long Pier to stroll along in the sunshine - plenty of places to eat with good choices, a few nice Gift Shops and great Ice Cream Shop.
Plenty of Seats and decent Toilet facilities at the end.
All in all very enjoyable - hope to go back.

We had a nice walk a long the promenade. This beach is popular with surfers. We sat for a while and watched the surfers and the many birds.

When we visit my sister-in-law in Camarillo we like to drive to Ventura for a brisk morning walk. The promenade is very scenic and is a good incentive to get our 10,000 steps. We ended up in town and stopped for breakfast.

It is always nice to walk out on a pier and out over the sea. This one was no exception. Also a nice opportunity to watch land from the sea.

After a long drive the beach is the place to relax. The Ventura Pier and Promenade are two places to do just that. Whether you want to stare out at the ocean and ponder life or people watch these two places are worth your time.

Great place to walk around. Boats of all different sizes. Scenic views. Plenty places to eat and shop.

The pier was nice but the real attraction is the boardwalk and watching the surfers ride the waves. There are a few sketchy people hanging around making it a bit uncomfortable.

. The homeless are there and can be annoying. Beach is ok but pretty rocky. Police do there best but the homeless in my view ruin the walk. Park on south side of pier lock your car. Once you get past Aloha steak house there less losers and more room to walk.

The view from the Ventura pier it is amazing. It is just a little cold when you go all the way to the end.

I liked walking out here for the sunset. There’s free parking which is great too. I highly recommend coming here!

Great family environment lots of shops great food will definitely return again. My 10 year daughter loves it here one of her favorite places to go

Ventura is amazing and fun for every age. There is something to do for everyone. The pier is a great place to hang out. The restaurants are great. It’s a great relaxing day.

This old wooden pier, which before the last big storm was reputed to be the longest wooden pier in California. It is very popular with both locals and tourists. There is an excellent seafood restaurant on the land's end of the pier as well as a snack stand, which when it is open, sells great sandwiches.

This is a nice walk out over the water so you can look back at the shoreline. There are some history story boards along the walk. Lot's of locals fishing that will be happy to show you what they have caught for the day.

Walked to the end to see what the fishermen were catching. The gaps between the planks were large and our mini poodle was having a tough time.

Went to Ventura for first time, although had lived in California for over 40 years. Was a great week-end, weather was so nice, a little cool in morning and evening but nice and warm during the day. Would love to go back

The Ventura Pier is a nice short stroll if you enjoy looking at boats of all sizes and shapes including commercial fishing vessels. Plenty of restarants and small gift shops. It is directly across the street from a nice beach. Parking is easy during the week but on weekends it can be almost impossible to find parking.

I was fortunate enough to have a sunny day to walk along the pier. The wind wasn't too bad either. Apparently the weekend before it was foggy all weekend.

We visited here on a Thursday afternoon and that worked out very well. Not many people on the promenade or the pier. The pier itself is very impressive. Quite long for a pier here on the coast of California. And no shops or stalls along the pier, unlike the pier at Santa Monica and many other places. And the views from the pier are very impressive. Great place for a stroll. The railings have openings so be careful with her young children. And. there is plenty of free parking nearby. There is also a small playground beside the pier.

We walked down here after breakfast. Beach is very clean. Lovely walk along pier with good views of ocean.

Not much here to offer, beach is not that great and view is not the best on the coast. Felt a little unsafe

A great way to spend a day, afternoon or evening. Wander to your hearts content, watch surfers, eat, shop or just catch some sun. Just a wonderful place!

I've never seen this place really busy, but I only go here once every couple of years. You will need to pay for parking in the hotel parking structure, or below in the open parking area (no roof), down the road. It's a dead-end down there, and impossible to get lost, but not easy to locate if you're being pushed by traffic behind you not heading for the on-ramp between the beach parking and the hotel parking.
Below the hotel parking is a nice restaurant, though I don't recall the name, and the beach or promenade is nice to walk on during sunsets if you get a chance. The hotel's nice as well.

We enjoyed spending time here walking the pier as well as the boardwalk area but there isn't much to see other than the ocean and beach.

One of the nicest pier experiences, definitely worth parking the car and taking a walk down, parking is easy and there is ready access to food and drinks on the pier and withing walking distance..

The Ventura Pier is a pretty low key attraction. Fishing from the pier does not require a fishing license--so far.

The winter months are upon us. Bring warm clothes, especially if you are going to do an evening walk. The pier is a "safe place."

You can contribute to the Ventura Pier by "buying a plank."

Bring kids for a day at the beach and include the pier on your visit.

We enjoyed our visit to the pier but there was not much around as to get a drink or a hot drink or a snack it is a great set up with good views and a walk to the shops not that far away parking around the pier is parking meters

When I feel I need a walk or bike ride- just need out of my head time I instinctively drive straight there. You can zone out with your earbuds or people watch. Pretty and peaceful.

The rain finally broke on our visit to Ventura so we walked along the beach and to the end of the Ventura Pier. The smell of the ocean, the fishermen and the great views of the California coast made for a relaxing afternoon walk. The birds pose for great photos.

Boyfriend fished from the pier. I read my book and people watched from a camp chair. Fairly crowded with fishermen. Most seemed to be catching something, most were hand length, some very small, saw a baby stingray caught. Visited first day of October and, gracious, it got chillier and chillier (and I had a sweatshirt and blanket!) We were determined to stay till the sunset but left immediately after, but there were plenty of people still in for the long run

We were staying just up the road from the pier so walked there several times during our stay. It's centrally located, two restaurants at the start of the pier and lots of people fishing near the end. We walked the promenade which allowed for nice pictures of the beach and pier.

It's nice, especially at sunset. We saw dolphins off of the end of the pier, and it's always fun to watch people fish.

Other than the "Beach House Taco" place, there really isn't much here. There is a bicycle rental place at the entrance, but that's about it.

Came here to check out the pier and beach. Got here just before noon and it was pretty quiet.
Parking is $10 and we can go in & out, which is nice to know.
We walked the pier and it stretches pretty far into the water. Nothing too unique but a nice stroll with the kids.
The beach is great. There are sections that are rocky, but all surrounding the pier is soft sand. Plus there is a kids playground.
This is the perfect little beach, getting here was easy and it’s not over crowded. So we could just enjoy the water, sand, and surroundings. Note however there is no lifeguard station.

We walked it in the early morning. There are a few things to see and a shop or two. Romantic walk. There is a walk bridge from Venture to the Pier.

You have to pay to park not cheap.the playground is the same as years ago about 10 yrs and then parking was free.still a nice place to take a stroll.

Nice view, windy pier. You can exchange with the many fishermen successfully fishing on the pier. Nice fish restaurant in the premises.

a very nice walk, you can enjoy the view watch the people fishing off the Pier. You can also sit on a bench and enjoy a book or watch the surfers.

Pier provided expansive views of coast line

Great place to walk/stroll

Pier in great shape after winter storms

During the daytime hours, there are plenty of tourists and other visitors, including local people taking their visiting friends and relatives to see the beach, the promenade, watch the surfers, etc.

But, after dark, a whole new set of people frequently appear. Sometimes there are quite a few homeless people asking for money, cigarettes, or similar favors.

And - very infrequently (thank goodness) - there are people who request these favors but are turned down, and they get angry. But, as mentioned, this is a rare occurrence and usually not something to worry about.

Ventura Pier & promenade is a great point of reference as from there you can explore Ventura Beaches

Very beautiful! Walked it just about everyday! Did some evening walks to watch the sunsets! Was able to. Get some beautiful pictures!!

I visited the pier after 5 pm. People were starting to pack up and leave. It is fun to watch the sailboats as they come and go.

A little windy sometimes, but really nice and clean. There are benches to sit on, and fishing. You can eat, and there is a park!

You've got the pier to your left, Surfer's Point to your right, a view of the Channel Islands right in front of you and the smell of the sea air. Usually windy in the afternoons, but I guess that's why so many people from the valleys come here...to escape the heat. There's lots of places nearby, to eat and drink. Bring a sweatshirt, sweater or windbreaker, just in case.

This place is truly magical, especially at sunset. It offers spectacular views; I could spend days there just watching the sun dip into the ocean.

The pier is a wonderful piece of history and well worth the exercise of the walk to the end. It was great to meet the locals fishing off the pier and to see their catches.

Come and fish (no license required), watch the local surfers or enjoy a nice walk on the beach. Great stop for lunch, you can sit down and eat a couple of places or just have a quick taco. Easy on and off the freeway access.

I start walking by the promenade to see the view but than I realized that this spot is great for surfing. And the pier has a great view to the beach. We pass a great time there.

Ventura’s pier makes for a delightful walk, with great views. It is on the boardwalk so close to bars and restaurants.

There was a Volkswagen Van show while we were there, so fun to see so many vw vans in so many colors and designs in one spot! We then walked the pier and was delighted to see a restaurant at the very end of the pier! There are also a couple of gift shops that were fun.

Ventura pier is a great place to hang out then it is hot inland. Had a blast here last weekend the water was calm and glassy but the breeze was refreshing!

Been to Ventura many times, but never bothered to stop by the pier, since I live in Huntington Beach, thinking we've got the best pier! However, to my surprise, I really enjoyed the stroll from downtown Main St, much different from ours- very relaxing and peaceful.
They only have a couple of places to eat there, but the beach and playground area is there too, so might be good for kids as well. For parking, the parking structure is nearby, along with beach parking but it didn't seem free. We just parked in the downtown free parking area and walked. Also, if you like to fish, seems like a god place to go, though it may get chilly even in the summer time, also Ithink you would need to bring your own rod, I don't think you can rent one there, unlike Huntington Beach.

We visited in late March and were thrilled to see so much sea life! Whales migrating, dolphins playing, just a real treat for us land-locked folks!

We strolled to the end of the pier. The weather was gorgeous and the view was good. There was a little marine layer so the view of the Channel Islands was not as clear as we would have liked. The promenade is lovely and a great place to walk. It is well worth the time spent strolling the pier and promenade.

We had a wonderful time walking this oldfashioned pier... food in the restaurant was excellent and the parking was perfect...

The Ventura Pier is a great place to take a walk and then sit on one of the many benches and just soak up that awesome ocean air.

This is a beautiful pier. I enjoyed walking along the beach and down this pier! Absolutely beautiful!

We couldn't find anything to eat that was safe for our soy-free allergies. So, we had to move the car and find a restaurant up California (the street). The Lure is upscale but, delicious and SAFE for us to eat as they're knowledgeable and cook fresh.

Lots of birds, and folks catching fish. Lots of exhibits describe the history of this 100+ year old pier that was at one point severed in half by a ship during a bad storm.

We were cruising up the PCH and wanted to visit as many piers as possible and see all the amenities of the highway to the north. We stopped at the Ventura Pier and strolled up and down the walk and spent a little bit of time at the shops and got a small bite to eat. Great pier and nice views of the Pacific Ocean.

We walked around the Pier for an hour or so during our visit to Santa Barbara. The pier has great views of the ocean and surrounding mountains and areas of Ventura. There are lots of people fishing and families. However, the public restrooms on the pier are absolutely disgusting and smell horrid.

having been here since i was a teenager can with my sister we had so much fun walking around like when i was a kid, restaurant still the same. parking is annoying, atleast its a clean area to walk around not like in LA .

Great location in what is an otherwise kinda boring area. There are 2 restaurants on the pier but their food is mediocre at best tourist garbage at worst.

The exposed-to-the-elements Pier constantly needs maintenance, but it was great over Thanksgiving 2016 weekend. Free to casually stroll upon, but watch out for slippery conditions. Signs explain history and you get an up-close experience of the rushing, powerful water. It's a beautiful sunrise and sunset spot. Closed during the night.

Beautiful ocean breeze and great views of down town Ventura when you get to the end of the pier. There are always people fishing and you have a fantastic view of all the surfers at surfers point. One of the best places to watch the sunset.

We visited the city of Ventura this past weekend and from our hotel we walked to the pier very relaxing.
It's very family oriented

I’m serious need of some updating but a lovely experience anyhow. Free to use and amenities were all ok.

This is a nice walk to burn the calories after so much food! It’s chilly when we were there and the hills were all foggy.

Do check out the historical write ups along the side where you learn about the pier.

And of course the huge flag at the end!

Perfect to stroll down to the pier which is right off the bike path. Kids are of no concern of falling in like other piers too.

If you're looking for a great place to walk while enjoying an ocean view, this is it. It doesn't have the typical tourist attractions, such as a ferris wheel or souvenir shops, which adds to its appeal (in my opinion). Eric Ericsson's Beach House Fish is located right on the pier and has great Happy Hour prices from 3:00 - 6:00 pm Monday - Friday: $2 off Draft Beer - $5 House Wine - $6+ Well Cocktails. You can sit inside and enjoy the view, or have drinks and food outside on the deck. The outdoor deck is dog-friendly. We enjoyed the fried calamari, seared ahi, and veggie tacos. Definitely stay for the sunset. The only downfall is that we walked back to our hotel along the bike path in the dark. There are no lights, so it was a creepy walk at night. Other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed the pier and its restaurant.

Easy parking in pkg structure. Then walk the long pier and take in the beautiful water view. This is a good outing for couples or a family. We then stopped at The Beach House Tacos and went in the restaurant to have a beer and a nice casual lunch. Nothing fancy, but nice. Good beer menu. The calamari gyro was huge and very tasty. Also had the chicken burrito with chicken, rice, and lots of veggies - very good! This area is very close to downtown with lots to do. Crown Plaza hotel is just steps away on the waterfront, but busy.

Love coming to Ventura, it has a vibe all it own. Great shops, restaurants, and the beautiful ocean to enjoy.

The pier is beautifully redone with gorgeous vistas of the Channel Islands on a clear day. There are benches and two restaurants on the pier, as well as fishing and historical markers. On the promenade, there are several restaurants, bike areas, walking areas, and benches. On one end is Surfer's point where you can get a view of surfers and find other walking areas.

This is considered the largest wooden pier in California. It is impactful how far it advances in the sea. Several fishermen position along the pier, taking advantage of the position to fish. Free tour and that is worth visiting the city.

Not too dirty, but there are a lot of vagrants around. I definitely do not feel safe letting my kids run too far. The city are patrolling more to help clean it up, but they still have a while to go.

Nice to see a pedestrian only pier. Walking on the older boards does require attention to avoid tripping but other than that a splendid viewpoint to enjoy a warm afternoon.
Always interesting watching the fishers try to catch something, and good view of the people on the beach. Enjoyed the displays showing historical facts

This is my favorite place to walk in Ventura. I have enjoyed walking and riding bike on the Promenade. Must pay for parking unless you eat at the Aloha Restaurant.

Liked the historical signs on the pier. People were fishing with some luck. Can see the surfers riding the waves.

Nice walk on the pier. The area was clean. Did not see any marine life but was only here for about thirty minutes. Would love to go back

The historic Ventura wooden pier is always a fun place to walk out and explore with two restaurants on the pier as well as a promenade to the West with a large hotel (Crowne Plaza) and several more restaurants. A short walk up California street takes you to the Ventura downtown area with lots of shopping, restaurants, coffee and wine stops and a movie theater. Also a little further West are the Ventura Fairgrounds, Jim Hall Kart Racing School and the Derby Club and an Amtrak Stop.

Famous pier is a long pier-lots fishermen. View looking down at the water once you get to end of pier is very scenic. Flags fly on each post. A really nice walk to end of pier.

Stopped off at Ventura for an evening meal and wanted to watch the sun go down. Really nice pier - lovely view across beach and a nice taco restaurant too. Recommended.

The beach and beachside path is clean and a wonderful place to walk/run/bike with great sights and sounds of the ocean. The pier and promenade have clean restrooms, a couple of restaurants, and a great place to fish/walk/meditate. This is a true gem for the city of Ventura.

Very low key, peaceful, no hustle and bustle. Food choices of are less, but way better and less expensive than other southern beaches if you care. Worth driving up extra miles if you simply want to relax yourself, play with water or enjoy views and walking. FYI downtown Ventura has more charms than the south.

Ventura pier never disappoints! I lived in Ventura for many, many years and this was my daily walk! So when I go home for a visit I still love taking this walk the views of the Channel Islands are amazing and there are always surfers out at the point. You can get a great fish taco and a beer or just hang out with the fisherman. Ventura pier and Promenade is a great way to people watch or get your cardio.

Visited family and went out to the pier. A good day activity to take in the ocean breeze. It can get windy!

Old fishing pier which had to be refurbished because of previous storm damage. Locals and visitors like to walk to the end and gaze at the vast Pacific. You can fish or relax. There's a couple of eateries at the promenade entry but, otherwise, the pier is very basic. Come for the sunset. Walk to the end for the best view.

Long pier with some restaurants. You can get a full view of the beach and the ocean from the pier. There is a charge for parking.

My wife & I were visiting family in Ventura. We parked near by, saving parking fees, and walked to & on the pier. Wonderful views.

We went there for a recommendation of our AirBnB host. It is an impressive construction over nice waves you can check for surf. The weather I was very good for us in the morning.
Take just the time to get a coffee at the entrance and walk calmly to the end of the pier.

We stayed at the Marriott and decided to walk along to the pier. It is a pleasant walk with nice views of the hills although the beach is blocked by sand dunes.
We went in the pier which is OK but nothing in it apart from fishermen.
Nice stroll but not amazing

We brought our cousins from Massachusetts to the pier. The pier was still lined with flags as it was July. We took a walk to the end and watched the surfers ride the waves. The pier also has 2 restaurants located on the pier one a walk up place the other a sit down restaurant. It’s a go to spot to show off our coast.

I stopped here while in town for a conference. I enjoyed walking out and looking into the distance. The breeze and watching the birds. I felt so at peace and really enjoyed the moment.

Lots to read on the pier. Info about fish and bird , etc. Nice place to watch the surfers. Lots of benches if you want to rest. It is enjoyable to walk there.

This is a long pier, so it's a great place to stroll along and soak up some sea air and maybe visit with the local folks fishing off the pier to see what's biting. If you have a rod, reel and license it looks like a pretty good spot to catch something. We saw several caught, including a couple of crabs. Pretty cool.

The view, the fresh air, and the weather make this the perfect start to a day or any part of the day.

I recently moved to Ventura due to an internship. I went to walk along the beach and walked on Ventura pier. It's a nice pier with benches along both sides. Many people were pier fishing. I did notice a homeless man on one of the benches and it looked like that was his home. Needless to say, it was a nice walk on the pier.

A very nice way to see views of the Islands and to look back at Ventura. The pier is a nice wide walkway so you don’t feel crowded and there are historical plaques scattered throughout that provide a nice history of the pier. There were plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the views or watch the fishermen.

Not open 24 hours. Toilet the worst I have ever seen, bar none. $10 plus to park. Homeless everywhere. Stench. Dirty expensive restaurants. Beautiful view from pier, when open.

Loved it here as the view is breathtaking. Lots of parking though you have to pay and a nice surprise is there are hummingbirds nearby. We walked the pier a couple of times just because it is so beautiful.

When I heard the name, Ventura pier and prominage, I pictures it to have lots of stores and some amusement stalls, boy, was I wrong. This was our first trip to Ventura, we got there around 3 pm and thought it would be nice to walk around the pier. First if you want to park close to it, there is a 10 dollars parking fee. The pier is sturdy and long. There were peoples fishing off the pier. We only saw one restaurant there and not even sure whether it opened or not. If you want to walk out on the pier for more wind blowing then this is a good place, but don't expect anything else.

We enjoyed early morning hours walking on the pier watching people fishing, the dance of the seagulls and the brave surfers.
At the end of the Pier is a description of the Santa Barbara Islands and they can be seen from the end of the Pier. There are a couple fast food restaurants on the pier, but they were not open until lunchtime.

Unlike many piers that seem to be focused solely on packing as much retail as possible on them or nearby (I'm talking to you Redondo Beach and Santa Monica), this pier is a transcendent experience to what piers were long go - serene places where you can enjoy the natural wonder surrounding you. You also get one of the last great photo opps for pristine coastal views that's left in Southern California. And if you want those classic sailboat on the sea photos, you'll find plenty of them here. It's even more fun during Ventura County Fair weeks, when you can see the Ferris wheel and fireworks off in the distance for great photos, without the noise overwhelming your zen vibe. Visit and enjoy it while it lasts. Developers are knocking themselves out these days to get permits to overbuild, which will destroy this jewel on the coast.

We saw the long promenade from Ventura beach and followed the path. We would have liked to stay for a few hours but had to hit the road again, only had less than an hour. Paid parking, small but nice playground for little kids, and good long pier walk. Saw a few restaurants too.

While some folks from out of town get confused and think this the Ventura Harbor and wonder where all the shops are they soon find out that going out on the pier gives an excellent view of the Ventura coast and then looking back there are amazing views of the hillsides of Ventura. Usually a few folks fishing from the pier so interesting to see what they are catching. You can also watch the surfers up on the point. There are a couple of eateries on the pier not bad with great views.

We went at night to the pier in Ventura. It was chilly at night on the pier but comfortable sweat shirt weather. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery which added valuable photo ops. Plenty of people on the pier to add comfort of not being in an abandoned area.

Cool place to walk and experience the sea. Restaurants and sops to visit. Folks fishing. Good times!

Enjoyable Pier area, great at sunset and wonderful views and so close to the downtown Ventura area. Quite enjoyable. one thing though the Public Bathrooms here are disgraceful, flooded and disgustingly dirty, that's kinda a shame and embarrassment for the city and people in general. Despite that quite enjoyed the actual Pier area.

This is a long wooden pier. Quiet place the only 3 businesses we saw on the pier were the taco place,restaurant and fish market.

Lots of fishermen on the pier. You can have really a nice view of the beach ocean for the pier. There is not much to do on this pier, but it is good to walk and relax and enjoy the ocean and the fresh air

We liked it. Nothing extraordinary, but you can enjoy this place

I used to live in Ventura....so it was a great trip to bring my granddaughters back to see it.
of course it smells of the ocean, fish and some homeless people....but what do you expect. The water is beautiful....and there is good fish tacos on the pier....the beach below is soft and clean....a great day trip.

Very quiet with beautiful views. Not a lot to do other than see the view or eat at the limited restaurants on site.

Next I went and visited the famous Ventura Pier and walked out on it to get some great views of the Pacific and 180 degrees away, the cool city of Ventura in the hills!!!.. The pier is a very fun place to walk out on and just people watch. It does stick out pretty far off the beach. You can see it easily from St. Rt. 101!!! Check it out!!!

The food was fresh. Very good king crab and tasty salad. I also tried my first Michelada. Very tasty drink. Nice atmosphere. Would come back.

We visited this big, wide beach and its historic pier with a toddler in tow, and we were delighted to find such an interesting and appealing play area, on the land side but still close enough to enjoy the ocean breezes. Both the beach and the pier were very uncrowded when we visited on a weekday.

There were many colorful, imaginative climbing and play structures suitable for kids of all ages, and when things got too warm, we could wander out to the water's edge to cool off with a little wading and splashing, in view of the nearby lifeguards.

The old pier, built in the 1870s and still California's longest one, has its own charms in the way of beautiful views and colorful signs with pictures and text to describe the animals -- in the sea, on the land, and in the air -- who frequent this place. The chance to see someone fishing, maybe even pulling up a big one, is also fun, especially for little ones.

It's far to walk, so if you've got a baby or toddler with you, it would be a good idea to bring a stroller, and maybe also a few snacks and a drink when the weather is warm.

You can have a very nice time here and afterwards pop off to one of the popular nearby restaurants.

Highly Recommended.

We were staying at the Country Inn for 5-1/2 months while between houses and we often visited the Ventura Pier and Prominade across the 101 Freeway. It is a very nice place to stroll and relax. The sunset views are awesome and the nearby palms offer a lovely vista when the breeze is blowing. There are convenient seafood eateries on both the pier and the promenade.

This is a nice walk. We talked to the guys fishing and checked out their catch. Tacos were good and our host told us on clear days you can see 25 miles to the Channel Islands though it was misty when we were there. A nice morning walk.