Seaside Wilderness Park — Attraction in Ventura

Really cannot understand why this is rated so highly... very small place cramped between the freeway and the railroad tracks. Camped here with a group and it was a very odd place. lots of trash scattered about and many homeless people wandering through. The rangers warned us that they use the noise from the passing trains to run into the campground and steal stuff. Not the most comforting thing to hear as you're settling in for a night of camping. Very bright and noisy with the freeway nearby and not particularly scenic until you walk thru an overgrown path and graffiti covered railroad tunnel to the beach. then it gets nicer, but I cannot really recommend this place to anyone. Definitely will not ever be returning here to camp. Be careful if one decides to explore south of the park near where the river dumps into the ocean. One other person and I had a man pull a knife on us while we were hiking and accidentally wandered near his camp which was within 5 feet of the trail. Weird place and will not be...

Entering through Emma Wood SB, I followed the bike path in and went down under a bridge where it was kind of swampy and continued on a dirt path out onto the beach. I was able to get my bike and kid trailer all the way to the site of the beach. I locked them together when we went to the water since there are many thieves in the area and it's not 100% safe area. It was overcast but not too cold. The weather is deceitful on the coast. It was a beautiful day. We got there at low tide. The tide pools we covered in seaweed and didn't appear to have any animals or sea life in them. We did watch a crane and the seagulls for awhile and played in the waves as the tide came back in. We saw a helicopter fly over. There are always neat planes and such flying by rather low so you can get a good look. My 5yo. loves it. It is a special place to explore and...

We visited on a busy Sunday afternoon, and I immediately realized that something was "wrong" when i saw just a few cars parked. At first we went down to the beach, which is kind of okay and has sort of trail to walk on. Then we tried to walk the paths in the brush and my god it is terrible, awful. Garbage everywhere, strange people staying in dirty camps.... Did not feel safe and surely poorly kept, abandoned.... A pity since it could be a nice area for nature.... Two stars because beach is okay, but not worth...