|
|
|
Star Treatment
by Ed Bowler
Rating Southern California’s pleasurecraft harbors: Alamitos Bay to Santa Barbara
Print This Article
|
Email This Article
Eighteen unique Southern California harbors lie between Santa Barbara and the Mexican border. Part I of this series discussed the nine southern harbors between Huntington Harbour and San Diego. Part II will evaluate the nine northern harbors of Southern California stretching from Alamitos Bay in the south to Santa Barbara in the north.
Our comprehensive chart will compare the harbors included in the 110 mile coastline of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Each harbor provides boaters with excitement and new areas to explore.
These harbors provide ready access to the Channel Islands of Santa Catalina, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel. Mild weather year-round makes almost any season a wonderful time to visit these locations.
Alamitos Bay is a small- to medium-sized harbor 4 miles north of Huntington Harbour (Sunset Harbor). It has no bridge controlling small craft access and is one of two harbors operated by the city of Long Beach. Large marine supply stores, grocery stores and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the dock.
San Pedro Bay contains the huge, busy commercial ports of Long Beach, Wilmington and Los Angeles. The famous Los Angeles Lighthouse marks the outer breakwater and welcomes mariners from all over the world.
There is a great deal of construction along the shoreline. Be sure to have recent charts of the harbor, so you can make your way around all the activity. In fact, the construction is so new that you may need the latest “Notice to Mariners” to keep you apprised of ongoing projects.
Long Beach Harbor is a welcoming port. Entertainment is nearby, with the convention center, hotels and a seaport village right outside the gate.
The city provides excellent transportation. There are easy connections to buses and trains to all of the southland areas. There is free trolley service at the end of the dock to the Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary and downtown.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Long Beach, and it rates high on our list of favorite harbors.
Wilmington Harbor is isolated and hidden among numerous commercial shipping docks deep in San Pedro Bay. There are berthing facilities and a boat yard here; however, there is limited access to shopping if you do not have a car. The large wharfs, cranes, huge commercial ships and extensive waterways make this area interesting to explore.
San Pedro is a new, modern facility adjacent to a recently constructed four-star hotel. The facilities are excellent, but it is rather isolated and requires quite a hike to local shops, stores and entertainment. The Los Angeles Maritime Museum and Ports O’ Call shopping village are 2 miles away and make for some enjoyable sightseeing.
King Harbor is located about 20 miles north of San Pedro, around Point Vincente. It is a small, congested and expensive harbor.
King Harbor is next to a power-generating plant, the stacks of which have been adorned with a beautiful blue whale mural painted by Wyland.
Hotels are numerous and close by. There are fast-food restaurants and high-scale eateries all around the harbor. Public transportation is available a few blocks from the dock. There are limited transient slips, so be sure to call ahead to reserve your space.
Santa Catalina Island is an easy day’s travel from any one of the Los Angeles County harbors. It provides boaters with a variety of different experiences.
Avalon provides all the enjoyment and excitement of a small town. Tie to a mooring, and a shore boat will take you to town where shops, restaurants and hotels abound. During weekends in the summer and on holidays, the town fills up with tourists.
Two Harbors and Catalina Harbor provide less excitement, as there is just one small store and restaurant. Small isolated coves where you can drop anchor and enjoy solitude away from the city and crowds are located all around the island.
Marina del Rey Harbor is a moderate-sized, busy pleasurecraft harbor. There are adequate numbers of slips for visiting boaters.
All facilities are within walking distance from the dock. Public transportation abounds on the surrounding streets. There is ready access to the environs of Los Angeles, such as Hollywood, Venice, Universal Studios, the Getty Museum and the downtown museums.
The adjacent areas offer numerous activities, and the harbor itself is a hub of activity for the residents of this large metropolitan area. You’ll find much to do here.
Channel Islands Harbor is 42 miles north of Marina del Rey. It is a small, tidy harbor combining the interests of commercial anglers and boaters. Necessities are within easy walking distance from the public dock and transient slips.
There is a large grocery store and a chandlery close by; however, there is limited transportation and entertainment in the area. “Dial-A-Ride” is reliable and can easily transport you to surrounding areas.
Anacapa Boatyard is exceptionally friendly -- and well run. Boats travel here from north and south to have work completed.
Ventura Harbor is a small, quiet harbor. It is isolated from town, so public transportation is needed to do any significant shopping.
There are few hotels in the area. Local restaurants provide limited entertainment.
The Channel Island National Park Visitors’ Center is near the harbor entrance. This is certainly worth a visit, as there are exhibits describing the history of the Channel Islands and showing all the native flora and fauna. The visitors’ center also provides detailed maps and charts of all the trails and sights to see on these islands.
The entrance to the harbor can be dangerous due to breaking waves. Shoaling can occur, especially during the heavy swells in the winter months. This condition is now being corrected, and breakwater adjustments are being made by heavy equipment in the channel.
Channel Islands National Park consists of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands. Beauty abounds on these islands, and there are numerous hiking trails on each.
There are no all-weather harbors on these islands, but there are bays and coves surrounding the islands that are calm in certain conditions.
Santa Cruz Island provides the greatest number of coves to anchor; however, anchoring in any of these will test your seamanship skills. Even in calm weather, there will be some rocking in these anchorages.
The best time to visit these islands is late spring, summer and early fall. Winter storms from the north make uncomfortable conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Santa Barbara Harbor is a small, bustling yacht harbor. Everything you need is close by and you have the feeling of being in a quaint village.
The harbormaster is friendly and accommodating. There are numerous transient slips, and you can get one easily on all but the most crowded summer holiday.
There is an anchorage south of the harbor and pier, but it is rocky all the time. The entrance to the harbor is tricky and difficult to negotiate at night. A dredge is almost a permanent fixture at the harbor entrance.
The 18 harbors that stretch across the 230 miles from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border offer much to see. Each harbor offers a unique experience for the adventuresome boater.
From these harbors, you can pursue activities within the cities as well as the islands off the coast. With the accompanying chart, prepare to visit them today and you will have no surprises and a terrific time exploring all they have to offer.
|
This article first appeared in the November 1, 2001 issue of Sea Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
|
|
|
|
