As always, the Channel Islands Harbor will be filled with fun events as we get into the summer months.

In June, the harbor will host two Father’s Day car shows on June 16^th. Showcasing a variety of classic and vintage automobiles, these events, held at Harbor View Park and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, will impress car enthusiasts, and provide an opportunity to bond with your loved ones. Here is a brief list of summer events beyond June:

• July 4^th: Family Parade, Electric Boat Parade, Fireworks by the Sea
• July 13^th & 14^th: Channel Islands Harbor Fine Arts Festival
• Concerts by the Sea: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday from July 6 – August 31

Fisherman’s Wharf Update

I am pleased to announce that at the May 21, 2024, meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a one-year lease option agreement with Robert Dahl, a German-based strawberry farmer and developer.

The lease option agreement allows Dahl’s team to move forward with finalizing plans for the project, as well as secure any necessary permits from the California Coastal Commission and the City of Oxnard. If Dahl’s team satisfies the requirements and conditions outlined in the one-year lease option agreement, a subsequent 30-year lease will take effect.

With his extensive experience, particularly with the founding of Karl’s Village in 1992 and subsequent expansion to seven locations across Germany, Dahl’s project presents an exciting opportunity for our harbor and the community at large and I am confident this will be a welcome addition.

The project will revamp Fisherman’s Wharf into a themed village that will have a mix of retails shops, a café and bakery, restaurants, an artisan market, a small hotel, park areas and children’s playgrounds and recreational experiences.  The village will maintain its current Cape Cod and nautical styling but will also incorporate some of the local farming elements of our community.

I am grateful for the Board of Supervisors’ decision to allow us to move forward with Dahl’s project, and I am equally thrilled by the overwhelming support we have received from the community. It is heartening to see such enthusiasm and unity as we move forward on this new venture together.

As we move forward with Dahl’s project, I know this will not only enhance the appeal of our harbor but also create opportunities for economic growth for surrounding businesses. Together, we are poised to make a lasting impact that will benefit residents and visitors alike for years to come.

Kiddie Beach Project Complete

I am pleased to announce the successful completion of the Kiddie Beach Parking Lot Replacement Project. This project has been a significant undertaking, and I want to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone involved for their hard work, dedication, and patience throughout the process.

The Kiddie Beach Project encompassed a range of improvements, including a new parking lot, upgrades to lighting, sidewalk and ADA path enhancements, installation of curb stops, thoroughly cleaning and painting the interior of the Kiddie Beach bathrooms, the installation of an electric vehicle charging station, and more. These enhancements not only improve accessibility and safety but also enhance the overall experience for visitors to this cherished community space.

Since the current project came to completion, there have been a couple of questions about the sidewalks and sea wall at Kiddie Beach. While replacing those items was not part of the most recent project, the Harbor Department has started the process of another project to replace the sea wall and surge wall at Kiddie Beach. This project is much more complicated than the parking lot project and will require a permit from the California Coastal Commission. I’ll continue to keep you updated as we move forward with that project.

I hope you enjoy reading the updates as much as I enjoy delivering them. Thank you for staying engaged and being an integral part of our harbor community.

Michael Tripp, Director
Ventura County Harbor Department

Editor's Note: this message was published on June 3, 2024.