As we dive into the promising waters of 2024, I am honored and excited to extend my heartfelt greetings to each one of you. The Channel Islands Harbor has always been a vibrant hub of maritime activity, community spirit, and natural beauty, and I’m thrilled to continue leading the Ventura County Harbor Department during this time of revitalization.

In the coming year, the Harbor Department remains steadfast on fostering a sense of unity, engagement, and progress within our Harbor community. My staff and I are committed to enhancing the Harbor experience for residents, visitors, and businesses alike, ensuring the Channel Islands Harbor remains a jewel of Ventura County.

To that end, I’m pleased to update and let you know the Board of Supervisors recently approved our recommendation to hire a construction company to begin a rehabilitation project for the Kiddie Beach parking lot. The project includes additional pedestrian lighting, upgrades to the exterior restroom lighting, an electric vehicle charging station, resurfacing of the parking lot, and improving the sidewalk and the ADA path near the restrooms. This project should be completed prior to the summer season, weather permitting.

After this project is completed, the Harbor Department plans to replace the parking lots at Harbor View Park and the Channel Islands Yacht Club. My goal is to have these parking lots replaced by the end of 2024. The new parking lots will improve convenience but also contribute to the overall appeal of the Harbor.

Marina Replacement

In June 2023, a construction project to replace the docks at Safe Harbor Anacapa Isle Marina was initiated. This phased project will continue through 2024. The first set of docks have already been removed and replaced. A second set of docks have been removed and are very close to complete replacement.

The replacement of these docks at Anacapa Isle Marina is exciting because it shows that our marina operators are making much-needed reinvestments into the Harbor. I anticipate other marina operators to replace docks at Vintage, Bahia, and Peninsula marinas in the next 2-4 years.

Whether it’s a public or private investment into the Harbor, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my dedicated staff, our community partners, and all those who contribute to the success of the Channel Islands Harbor. I’m looking forward to what’s in store for the Harbor in 2024!

Michael Tripp, Director
Ventura County Harbor Department