Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard

Channel Islands Harbor is a recreational harbor with nice pathways. a park, a maritime museum, and two great beaches nearby. The harbor has three fingers each located on a different street. The west finger, Harbor Blvd, has a complex at Bluefin Circle with a small maritime museum called Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The museum is comprised of antique Napoleonic prisoner of war sailing ship models, marine art including 17th c. paintings by Dutch and Flemish artists, and exhibits showing maritime history over thousands of years. There are some interesting old photos of Port Hueneme before the marina was created and a great exhibit about a sunken ship that was found off the coast.  Just south of where Channel Islands Blvd forks off into Harbor Blvd is a complex with commercial fishing docks and supply stores. A great spot here is The Lookout Bar and Grill with its balcony overlooking the blue harbor and its yummy red snapper tacos. You can't beat the atmosphere here in the sun. There's also a Brazilian restaurant called Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine. A farmers market with hot food stands, fresh bread, fruits, veggies, and cheese meets here on Sundays from 10-2. The west finger is near Hollywood Beach, which has spectacular white sand and cold breezes.

The east finger, Victoria Avenue, has some shady picnic tables and gift shops but not a lot of action going on. The only restaurant is a fish fryer place on the northern end of the complex called HC Seafood. The tables, which are outdoors, are packed with people and there's a long line to the window where they take the orders. I didn't really like the look of this restaurant though- too much grease! It's nice to walk south of the complex along the sidewalk that fronts the marina. There are flowers and lawns, and you can see the people loading up their speed boats for a day on the water. There's no shade so it's best to go early or late in the day. The walkway will take you past a little cove with calm (but probably not clean) water called Kiddie Beach Park. At the end you will come to a beach with bountiful white sand called Silver Strand Beach
The harbor's middle finger, Peninsula Rd, has a very pretty toddler park called Peninsula Park where kids can watch the boats in the harbor go by and parents can enjoy plenty of shady trees. A walkway takes you past Anacapa Marina and the happy sailors who dock there. Condos and hotels make up this finger of the harbor, as does a huge new restaurant with delicious pizzas loaded with toppings, called Toppers Pizza. Try the creamy garlic chicken pizza. Inside there are views of the harbor plus an urban industrial look with exposed metal roof and a catwalk connecting the two loft dining areas. The ultra-modern cola machine with 104 flavors on its touch screen is a hit with kids.
While you're in the area, check out pretty Oxnard Beach, where your kids will have fun playing on the sand dunes and the giant pirate playground. Seaview Park and Via Marina Park are two pleasant neighborhood parks nearby.
For some history, head over to Downtown Oxnard and Heritage Square, with its Victorian houses. A really nice outing is Port Hueneme Pier, which also has some great history.

Directions

Channel Islands Harbor is located on three streets that branch out from Channel Islands Blvd. The streets from west to east are: Harbor Blvd, Peninsula Rd, and Victoria Ave.
Exit Highway 101 at Victoria Avenue and turn toward the ocean. Follow Victoria Avenue for 5 miles (this is an ugly drive) until you cross Channel Islands Blvd, and then turn right into the parking lot.
For a more scenic drive, exit Highway 101 southbound at Seaward Avenue and turn left on Harbor Blvd. Follow it for almost seven miles, past the power plant and agricultural fields. At the big intersection, make a slight left up the hill onto Channel Islands Blvd. Turn right on Victoria Avenue.
Exit Highway 101 northbound at Seaward Avenue and turn left on Seaward Ave. Turn left on Harbor Blvd and then follow the directions above.
Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard 93035, open 10-4 M, Tr, F, S, and 12-4 Sun. Closed Tues and Wed. Call (805) 984-6262. Cost is adult $7, senior $5, child aged 6-17 $3, members free. The third Thursday of every month admission is free.
Lookout Bar and Grill, 2800 Harbor Boulevard, Oxnard, call (805) 985-6100.
Toppers Pizza, 2701 Peninsula Rd.

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