By Lynne Tucker
Channel Islands Harbor is a gem on the California coast between Port Hueneme and Ventura. It was built as a recreational harbor in the 1960s and 1970s on 310 acres of land and water, with approximately 2,150 boat slips, as well as marina facilities, restaurants, sportfishing facilities, chandleries and shops.
The Harbor is divided into three areas (west, east and peninsula) served by separate public roads, with each area providing different services. The west side consists of marinas, a linear park, restaurants, residential development and retail businesses. The peninsula is dominated by hotel development, marinas, apartments and condominiums. The east side is primarily commercial and serves boaters by offering boat yards, a marine supply store, boat sales, law enforcement, administration and search and rescue facilities.
The Harbor is owned and operated by the County of Ventura. The majority of the Harbor is operated by businesses that have been granted long-term ground leases by the Board of Supervisors.
Hop on a jet ski. Catch a glimpse of a whale. Watch the sunset over the ocean. Whether you live around the corner or you’re unplugging for a weekend adventure, the scenic Channel Islands Harbor is worth the trip. Just about an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, our beach-lined parks and picnic-worthy coastline await you. Don’t forget to check out the Channel Islands National Park & National Marine Sanctuary.
Between the National Park and the Sanctuary, this stretch of the Pacific off the Ventura County coast offers plenty of adventures for the outdoor enthusiast – camping, hiking, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, diving, sportfishing, whale watching, and more. If you are seeking to discover this uncrowded natural paradise, look no further than starting your adventure at the Channel Islands Harbor.
If you’re into surfing uncrowded beaches, strolling in for a museum exhibition, then rounding out the day with some mouth-watering local cuisine, bring the whole family for an adventure. They have something for everyone!
For more information visit https://www.channelislandsharbor.org/visit-the-channel-islands/
Think Travel and Enjoy the Journey
Lynne Tucker is a travel writer and photojournalist based in Palm Desert
