The Channel Islands Harbor has long been a cornerstone of our community, providing a picturesque backdrop for recreational activities, boating enthusiasts, and for visitors from near and far. As the Harbor Director, I am committed to preserving its natural beauty while enhancing its recreational potential. To that end, I’m excited to share to some updates regarding upcoming activities and two development projects at the Harbor.

July Activities

One of our most anticipated events of the year is our Concerts by the Sea Summer Series, which is co-sponsored by Vintage Marina Partners. I’m excited to announce the free concert series kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 9^th at Harbor View Park with “Andy’s Gang.” This band is led by Andy Cahan, formerly the keyboardist for the legendary Turtles band. Andy was the music director for the Grammys, and recorded with Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Ringo Starr, Jimi Hendrix, Harry Nilsson, Jimmy Webb and Eric Carmen, just to name a few. Be sure to check out the full lineup here.

Don’t forget to join us on the 4^th of July for a day filled with fun and festivity. The 4^th of July Family Parade will march north on Harbor Boulevard, showcasing the community spirit that makes the Harbor and its beach communities so special. Following the landside parade, an electric boat parade will take place, filling the waters with patriotic pride. In addition, there will be an expanded Farmers Market at Harbor View Park, where you can discover a wide variety of fresh produce and handcrafted goods. The day will end with Fireworks by the Sea, Ventura County’s only seaside fireworks show!

Harbor Construction

A construction project has begun to replace the docks at Anacapa Isle Marina, located in the west channel near Peninsula Park. The project started in June with docks being removed from the marina and demolished near my office off Victoria Ave. The first set of docks were removed and are being replaced with new ones, which I’m sure is a welcome improvement for the marina tenants. This is a phased project that will replace all the docks at Safe Harbor Anacapa Isle Marina and will continue throughout the year. It’s great to see on-the-water projects moving forward in the Harbor!

In addition to the marina replacement, I’m happy to announce the rock revetment project around the southern edge of the Harbor’s peninsula has been completed, and came in under budget. We’ve handed the parcel back to the developer, Brighton Management, which will allow them to begin the construction of a new Hyatt House Hotel and restaurant. This developer has a reputation for delivering exceptional hospitality experiences, and we are thrilled for them to begin the project. The Hyatt House Hotel will be a center point to a new chapter at the Harbor and marks an important milestone in our commitment to promoting tourism, economic growth, and providing great experiences for our local community and tourists. As the hotel takes shape, we will work closely with Brighton Management to ensure the hotel harmoniously integrates with the existing landscape, preserving the unique charm and character of the Harbor.

I understand that any development of this scale comes with its fair share of concerns, and the Harbor Department is committed to addressing them. We will strive to minimize disruptions during the construction phase, employing environmentally responsible practices and engaging with the community. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable, and we encourage you to share any thoughts or concerns you may have throughout the process.

Together, let’s be excited for this new chapter in our Harbor’s history and look forward to a vibrant future. Thank you for your continued support and trust while we revamp the Harbor.

Michael Tripp, Director
Ventura County Harbor Department

Editor’s Note: this message was published on June 30, 2023.