10 Things to Do in Ventura County This Weekend

Every weekend in Ventura County feels like it has a dozen options — if you know where to look. Here are ten reliable picks, split across the coast, the valleys, and the hills.

What's the best thing to do in Ventura County on a Saturday morning?

The Ventura Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday from 8:30am to noon is the county's best Saturday morning, full stop. Grab a coffee from Palermo, walk the stalls, then head two blocks to the beach.

Coast

1. Ventura Pier at sunset — free, always worth it, best fish tacos within walking distance at Beach House Tacos.
2. Channel Islands kayaking from the Ventura Harbor — rentals at Channel Islands Kayak Center, or go guided if you're new to it.
3. Hollywood Beach in Oxnard — wider and less crowded than Ventura beaches. Great for families with small kids.

Valleys

4. Simi Valley's Reagan Library — the Air Force One exhibit is genuinely impressive whether you're into politics or not.
5. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza — check the schedule; there's almost always something worth seeing on a weekend night.
6. Camarillo Premium Outlets — yes, it's an outlet mall. Yes, locals go. The food court has gotten surprisingly good.

Hills & Trails

7. Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks — the Paradise Falls hike is 3 miles and ends at an actual waterfall.
8. Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura — underrated. Dogs on leash, picnic tables, oak trees.
9. Mount McCoy cross hike in Simi Valley — short, steep, and the view at the top is one of the best in the county.

Evening

10. Ventura's Main Street bar crawl — start at Copa Cubana, end at Rumfish y Vino. You won't regret it.

Want live event times and tickets?

For specific dates, times, and ticket links — live shows, festivals, farmers markets, free community events — check our events page. It's updated daily from every source that matters in the county.