Emma Wood
Cobble point and rivermouth at Emma Wood State Beach, at the north end of Ventura where the Ventura River meets the ocean. Cobble bars shape rights along the point.
Spot intel
Parking
State beach day-use lot off Highway 101 with a posted fee. Roadside parking on Main Street at the river mouth.
Crowd
Moderate to thick on a good west swell. The point holds a defined takeoff zone.
Beginner-friendly?
No.
Cobble entry and exit, rivermouth current, and a point priority hierarchy at the takeoff. Not a beginner wave.
Famous for
The state beach and rivermouth point at the north end of Ventura, immediately up the coast from the Ventura Point sequence.
Lineup etiquette
Priority on a point goes to the deepest rider. Paddling inside an active takeoff is the standard call-out.
When it’s on
West through northwest swell with light offshore wind from the north through northeast. Mid to low tide window.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 34.2870, -119.3260
- Shore faces
- SW
- Region
- Ventura, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Emma Wood?
- Emma Wood works best on a SSW to WNW swell. It also picks up SE to W swell.
- How big does Emma Wood need to be?
- Emma Wood is best in the 2-6ft range on a 11-18s period.
- What are the best conditions at Emma Wood?
- Light or offshore wind under about 10 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
- Where is Emma Wood?
- Emma Wood is a cobble rivermouth point in Ventura, California. The beach faces SW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Emma Wood?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Emma Wood with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
New to reading a forecast? Start here.
Launching winter 2026.
Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.
Nearby spots
- Carpinteria State Beach · Famous + beginner-friendly
- Rincon · Famous spot
- Mondos · Famous + beginner-friendly
- Ventura Point · Famous + beginner-friendly
- C Street · Famous spot
- Silver Strand · Famous spot