British Car Show Returns to Channel Islands Harbor

Classic MGs from the 50s and 60s at the harbor park with their hoods popped

Car shows seaside at the Channel Islands Harbor are cool. If you’ve never had the pleasure of attending one, you might want to bring the family down to the Harbor and see one for yourself.

Your big chance to attend a car show at the Harbor (free we might add) is from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 15 at Harborview Park. That is when the Central Coast British Car Club will hosts its 28th annual car show at the Harbor. (Did we mention this is a free event?)

This is more than just an event – it’s an awesome experience. Here’s why you need to attend.

Classic Cars

There will be more than 150 British cars from the 1930s and up, including post war sports cars from the 1940s and 1970s on display. We’re talking a fine collection of Triumphs, MG’s, Jaguars, Austin Healy’s, Mini Coopers, Rolls Royce’s, and more.

Classic MGs from the 50s and 60s at the harbor park with their hoods popped

Music

A pipe band in full regalia; wearing kilts and carrying bagpipes and drums, poses for a picture

Nothing sets the mood better than having a DJ play music while you’re checking out some nice rides. This car show will be no exception. They will have a DJ playing some classic British tunes to go with the classic British cars. When the DJ isn’t playing music, the Pacific Coast Highlander Pipe Band will be performing. This group is awesome. Watch a clip of them playing here.

Food

Food trucks will line Harborview Park at the car show. There is sure to be plenty of options. If you want to pass on the food trucks, there’s always room for more at one of many Harbor restaurants.

A toddler in a cowboy hat takes a huge bite of hotdog

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Harbor Increases Access for Kayakers and Paddle Boarders

A pair of paddlers lift their kayak into the water

Launching a kayak and paddle board at the Channel Islands Harbor just got easier thanks to a tentative agreement reached between the California Coastal Commission and the Ventura County Harbor Department.

The tentative agreement creates a temporary launch lane for kayakers and paddle boarders at the Harbor’s Kiddie Beach, located at the northwest corner of Victoria Ave. and San Nicolas Ave. Prior to the tentative agreement, Kiddie Beach was reserved for swimming only.  A sign has been placed at Kiddie Beach, providing direction on where to launch.

Ventura County District 5 Supervisor Zaragoza, who represents the Channel Islands Harbor, met with community members and hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 15, 2018 to celebrate the temporary launch lane. In addition, community members conducted a ceremonial first launch.

Supervisor Zaragoza said the temporary launch lane will increase access to residents and visitors of the Harbor.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to increase access to the community of kayakers and paddle boarders, particularly the elderly and disabled,” Supervisor Zaragoza said. “This portion of Kiddie Beach at the Harbor has been long coveted by those community members, as it is the easiest way for them to launch.”

Before the approval of the temporary launch lane, Kiddie Beach was reserved for swimming only. Kayakers and paddle boarders were required to launch at several day docks, the launch ramp, and Hobie Beach. Hobie Beach is located just north of Kiddie Beach, but launching a kayak became difficult in recent years as sand wasn’t being retained due to an erosion issue. In April 2018, the Harbor Department sent a request to the California Coastal Commission asking for a temporary launch lane at Kiddie Beach while a permanent solution to Hobie Beach could be reached.

All other launching options around the Harbor will also remain available to the public.

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Celebrate Father’s Day at the Channel Islands Harbor

A family group tours the harbor in a small boat

Celebrate Father’s Day at the Channel Islands Harbor

For Father’s Day, Dad doesn’t need any more socks, ties, tools, coolers, fitness trackers, shaving kits, or Hawaiian shirts. Dad just wants a good time. From relaxation to recreation, there’s something for all Dads at the Channel Islands Harbor.

Here’s some great Harbor activities you and Dad can enjoy. (Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17, 2018 – we’re sure you didn’t forget, right?)

Go Sportfishing!

Sportfishing is one of the most classic Father’s Day activities for a reason. When else do you get to stand side-by-side with Dad and catch up on life while you enjoy the great outdoors? There are two well established sportfishing companies in the Harbor that can get you out fishing.

A large group of sportfishers hold up their catch of yellowfin tuna on the stern of their charter

Channel Islands Sportfishing offers a variety of trips available including local half-day trips, ¾ day island trips and overnight outer island trips. On Father’s Day, Dad’s ride for free if you book a ¾ day trip on the sportfishing vessel, Gentlemen. (Limited spaces left)

Hook’s Landing’s sportfishing offers half-day trips, ¾ trips, and overnight trips as well.

Wooden Boat and Classic Car Show

Father’s Day Wooden Boat and Classic Car Show

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is hosting an event specifically with Dad in mind. The event, From Tree to Sea: Father’s Day Wooden Boat and Classic Car Show, will be taking place at the museum from Noon to 6 p.m. The classic car show will take place in the parking lot and the wooden boats will grace the docks right behind the museum. The event will also feature toy boat races, games, and engaging maritime activities.

Explore the Harbor on the Water

If your Dad is an adventurer, you don’t want to visit the Harbor without getting out onto the water. Between the Channel Islands Kayak Center, Hopper Boat Rentals and Southern California Jet Skis, there are a wide range of personal water craft – electric boats, paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis – to suit a variety of budgets and tastes. The Harbor offers pristine views and clear water. Getting out on the water is a must.

A family group leans out of their duffy electric boat as they prepare to dock

Dine with Dad

Open-face breakfast toast with eggs and bacon, topped with fresh micro-greens

The Channel Islands Harbor includes more than a dozen places for you and Dad to eat. There’s a wide range of places to dine, so check out our restaurants page here. The Channel Islands Farmers’ Market also includes a variety of dining options too.

Fishing Derby and Family Fun

Marine Emporium Landing will host a variety of events for Father’s Day. The day kicks off with a Kid’s Fishing Derby on the docks complete with  weigh-in and awards. Prizes for the longest, heaviest and ugliest fish! The fun continues with contests, games, a lively Samba performance, and drawings every half-hour with prizes galore! Click here for more information.

View from the harbor at night of the Sea Fresh Grill & Market & Raw Bar

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Don’t Miss Fairy Tales in the Park This Sunday at Channel Islands Harbor!

A crowd gathers on the lawn with blankets and lawnchairs for Fairy Tales in the Park

Don’t Miss Fairy Tales in the Park This Sunday at Channel Islands Harbor!

Bring your favorite beach chair or blanket, snacks, sunscreen and children and head down to Harbor View Park on Sunday, June 3 and enjoy Fairy Tales in the Park.

Gypsies in a Trunk, an all-volunteer group of actors, is heading to the Channel Islands Harbor with its rendition of The Princess Pajama Party.

This is a can’t miss performance!

Three royal princesses (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella) are getting together for a sleepover and their respective princely boyfriends, Phillip, Charming, and Florian decide to have a guys-night-out as well.

BUT! Little does anyone know that the evil Maleficent is angry because she didn’t get an invitation to the girls party! So she decides to foil the party by having the guys crash it. There’s pillow fights, sword play, and Doritos flying everywhere when the craziness really gets out of hand!

Location

The park is located at 3600 Harbor Blvd. just south of Marine Emporium Landing. Curtain time is 2 p.m. and the show is designed to run approximately 45 minutes, which coincides with the attention span of the target age group, 3-10 year olds.

Shows are always free, but donations are welcome!

If you can’t make it this week, there’s a few more shows to catch this summer.


Date:
Show:
July 1 Beauty & the Beast (and Bob)
August 5 Rumpelstiltskin
September 2 CSI: Wonderland

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