C-Street (Ventura)
- Wave, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
C-Street (Ventura) is a reef-and-point style break known for consistently long, peeling right-hand waves in winter, with a setup that can hold size well as swell builds. Surf conditions are described as very reliable year-round, with best performance when NW to WNW groundswells combine with offshore NE winds to keep the wave faces clean. Some sources note that south wind can ruin conditions, so choosing wind direction is critical. The spot is also used for kitesurfing and other board sports in warmer months, when a local thermal sea breeze develops in the afternoon and can provide side-shore to slightly side-off E–NE wind for kite sessions. However, multiple enrichment notes highlight that wind reliability for kitesurfing is lower (more summer-dependent) than surfing. For kiting, launch/rigging is restricted to avoid the primary surfing zones around the point. Safety planning matters at this launch/beach: the area includes rocks, stakes, cobblestones, and kelp/urchin hazards, with additional pollution concerns after heavy rain due to runoff near the Ventura River. Several notes also stress that the kite launch area can become extremely narrow and hazardous at high tide, and that booties and protective gear are strongly recommended given the rocky bottom. Best season splits by discipline: winter is the most consistent period for surfing (often with overhead-to-head-high possibilities during classic conditions), while spring through summer supports more frequent wind sessions for kitesurfing. Crowds are common, particularly in winter for surf, so arriving early and being respectful around the dense lineup is advised.
- Long, peeling right-hand point break
- Offshore NE winds help groom faces for surfing
- Afternoon thermal supports spring/summer wind sessions
- Pollution risk after heavy rain
- Rocky reef hazards (rocks, stakes/urchins) near launch
- Highly reliable surfing conditions year-round with long, peeling right-hand waves.
- Offshore NE winds can groom waves well for surfing.
- Seasonal thermal sea breeze supports multi-discipline sessions (surf, kite, and some wind/wingfoiling).
- Paid parking and a defined rigging/launch zone near the promenade.
- Often crowded, especially during winter swells.
- Wind reliability can be low for kitesurfing compared with surfing.
- Pollution risk after heavy rain/runoff near the Ventura River.
- Rocky/reef hazards (rocks, stakes, kelp, sea urchins) and a narrow technical kite launch area at high tide.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, ENE, WNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- NE, NNE, ENE, NW, WNW
- No-go directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 10–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Summer local thermal pattern; builds through the afternoon (site winds can also be semi-protected side-shore to slightly side-off for kiting).
- Reliability
- low for kitesurfing; high for surfing (year-round).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Ranged descriptions include sand on the launch strip plus rocky/mixed bottom near the point.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf can be bigger on the right swell days; one source gives a classic working window of head-high to overhead.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Kite conditions often involve chop; surfing is typically described as clean and peeling with the right wind/swell.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach strip across from the second parking lot for rigging; kite launch noted at the northern end of the promenade (often referred to as the stables).
Through the year
Often crowded year-round; winter swells typically bring the most consistent/peak surfing crowds.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works primarily in the warmer months with side-shore to slightly side-off E–NE winds; summer sessions are more dependent on wind reliability.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave sailing when wind and swell align, though less common than surfing and kitesurfing here.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Becoming popular, but rocky bottom and kelp require a high-clearance foil and careful entry/exit.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Rocky/kelp conditions make foil use more demanding.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Iconic Ventura point/reef setup producing long, peeling right-hand waves on offshore NE conditions; best with NW–WNW groundswells for clean, longer rides.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, WNW, W, SW, S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One source calls it good on all tides; another specifies mid tide as ideal.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore NE winds groom the waves; NW winds tend to suit kiting better, while south winds ruin surf conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become very heavy and requires advanced skill.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — Rides can be long and connect across multiple sections; exceptional days can run toward the pier.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Clean, longer rides on NW–WNW groundswells; peaks can move up and down the point on south swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for C-Street (Ventura) in the full forecast view.
C-Street (Ventura) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- WSW258°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.3 m10s period
- Temperature
- 13–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, C-Street (Ventura) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.6–1.3 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Stakes (in water/near shore)
- Kelp beds
- Wooden pilings near the promenade
- Sea urchins
- Pollution after heavy rain
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards noted in spot-level safety notes.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as no/little at the exact launch in one provider; regional notes indicate limited rescue capacity with nearby monitored areas.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital noted: Ventura County Medical Center; emergency services reachable via 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism is suggested in some safety notes; be respectful of the dense surf lineup.
Rules of the spot
Avoid south wind (it ruins conditions). Kitesurfing launch is restricted away from primary surfing zones; use the designated rigging area across from the second parking lot.
- No kiting in designated swimming or primary surfing areas.
- High tide makes the launch area extremely narrow and hazardous.
- Avoid south wind.
- Rig/launch near the second parking lot area (designated zone).
- Watch for stakes in the water/near shore.
- Check water quality reports before entering, especially in winter after rainfall.
- Booties are highly recommended due to the rocky bottom and sea urchins.
- Be mindful of a dense surfing lineup at the point.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ventura
- Nearest Town
- Ventura
- Parking
- Paid parking available at the second parking area across from rigging zone (noted as $2/day in one enrichment set); additional paid parking noted at Ventura County Fairgrounds and city lots at the end of California Street.
- Access
- Access via California Street exit off Highway 101; drive toward the ocean and follow the road closest to the ocean (the road ends at the kite boarding spot). Another approach: from the northbound 101, exit California Street, then follow dead-end access via Figueroa; rigging/launch is best across from the second (paid) parking lot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels/motels within walking distance or nearby in downtown Ventura.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and cafes along the promenade and in downtown Ventura.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard and wetsuit rentals available near the pier/downtown; specialized wind/kite gear may be more limited and can require travel.
- Gear Storage
- Limited; not available as a dedicated spot amenity in one provider’s notes.
- Gear Repair
- Surfboard repair shops available nearby in the Ventura industrial district.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Ventura is a relaxed surf-town and multi-sport hub with easy access to the Channel Islands and a downtown scene near key coastal areas.
Historic wooden pier and a long paved walking path along the shore.
Historic Spanish mission founded in 1782.
Island excursions including hiking, kayaking, and diving accessible via ferry from Ventura Harbor.
Corridor with restaurants/cafes and craft beverages.
Waterfront complex with shopping, dining, boat rentals, and an arcade.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at C-Street (Ventura)?
The best overall months at C-Street (Ventura) are April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at C-Street (Ventura)?
C-Street (Ventura) works with NE, E, ENE, WNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are NE, NNE, ENE, NW, WNW. No-go directions are S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at C-Street (Ventura)?
Recommended equipment sizes at C-Street (Ventura): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–18 kts.
What skill level is C-Street (Ventura) suitable for?
C-Street (Ventura) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.