Ventura River Estuary

Where the Ventura River meets the Pacific, this estuary supports one of the county’s most reliable spots for shorebirds and waterbirds year-round. Osprey work the channel for fish alongside Double-crested and Brandt’s Cormorants, while Brown Pelicans cruise low over the water. Look for Willets, Sanderlings, and a rotating cast of plovers working the tideline, plus gulls and terns resting on the sandbar.

RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/qA6hVA

Getting there: Park at the West Main Street lot at the west end of downtown Main Street, just before the bridge over the Ventura River. Walk the path along the river down to the estuary, where signage overlooks the site. The ocean is a short walk beyond.

Facilities: No services at the estuary itself; restrooms are available on the promenade nearby.