Channel Islands Harbor: New Beginnings, Harbor Wildlife 🌴🍓
Join us for wildlife stories, field notes, and plenty of coastal surprises - from sea lions at the marina to hidden tide pools and a shop full of nature-inspired art.
Channel Islands Harbor, California // July 23rd, 2025
📸 Only here for the view? Jump to the gallery below to see all the photos in full resolution.
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Moving North
It’s been a little quiet here and on socials the past couple weeks - life’s been full of big changes, new views, and a lot of unpacking. Thanks for sticking around!
If you’ve followed along for a while, you know I’ve been slowly drifting up the coast - always searching for quieter beaches, more wildlife, and a little more space to breathe. Back in 2018, when I first moved to LA, I found 'olołkoy Beach Park (then Oxnard Beach Park) while poking around digital maps. I loved the wide stretches of sand, the way everyone seemed to have room to themselves, dogs running in the surf. But at the time, it was just too far from my work life in Culver City.
Fast forward to now, and I finally made the leap. I’m writing this from our new apartment on Channel Islands Harbor - less than ten feet from the water.
The move was overdue. I’d been pursuing rentals along the coast relentlessly for the past year, so taking the leap was easy. I’ll miss a handful of Santa Monica and LA staples: Elephante’s eggplant whip, the sea lions at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey, the lights of the Ferris Wheel reflected on the water at night, Friday crab boils from Boil Daddy, and watching the pier from Palisades Park with esquite in hand. But I won’t miss the traffic, crowded beaches, or paying sky-high rent for what was honestly a pretty bleak setup - my old place felt more like a prison than a home. Our apartment faced a cement courtyard with no wildlife, and natural light was nonexistent. Modern “luxury” buildings may feel luxurious during the tour, but living in one is an entirely different story - blaring fire alarms, paper-thin walls… it was time to leave.
First Impressions: Harbor Life & Community
Mostly, I feel excitement. It’s peaceful and quiet here, with genuinely friendly people and a food scene that’s already won me over. There’s a mix of locals and visitors - but it doesn’t feel frantic, just lived-in and welcoming.
I want to be mindful of where I’m landing. Channel Islands Harbor and Oxnard sit on traditional Chumash land, and there’s a long history here that predates any of us moving in. Beyond that, there’s already a diverse, dedicated community working hard to make this place what it is. My hope is to integrate myself in a way that’s respectful and helpful - listening first, finding ways to contribute, and understanding that the best thing I can do is support what’s already here, not reinvent the wheel.
Wildlife Notes (From the Window)
It’s been interesting to watch the sea lion activity evolve over the past week - what started as sightings of a single individual has grown to pairs, then four, and now up to five swimming together at once. So far, only one seems to haul out in front of my place consistently, but the group dynamic is changing every day. The population here will likely continue to grow as sea lions return from the Channel Islands after breeding season wraps up. There’s a family of four mallard ducks that shows up every morning, usually accompanied by a black and white cat who patrols the docks. The water below is full of life - rock crabs, mussels, and who knows what else. The great blue heron is here often enough that I’m convinced it lives nearby. Every day is a new mix.
One of my favorite moments so far: a California sea lion mid-yell, with two crabs watching from a rock nearby. There’s so much happening here, I haven’t even needed to leave our patio to fill a field notebook.
Looking Ahead: New Ground, New Stories
I’m genuinely excited about what’s possible here. I’d love to connect with Island Packers - not just as a passenger, but as their dedicated marketing and content person. My goal is to help tell their story through photography, social media, and authentic, behind-the-scenes content - capturing not just the wildlife and landscapes but also the crew and operations that make their trips special. If anyone from Island Packers is reading this, I’d love to talk about how I can help share what you do with an even wider audience.
On the volunteer side, I’m hoping to reach out to the Marine Mammal Center to learn more about how I can support their work locally. I’d love to visit, get some hands-on training, and find out what I should be looking for in terms of sea lion health and behavior here in the harbor. I haven’t found a Channel Islands-based team yet, but I know Island Packers has helped with animal releases after rehab, so there’s a natural overlap.
Where’s the Location Guide?
You might be wondering why I haven’t included a location guide and map - don’t worry, I’ll be sharing plenty of favorites moving forward!
Reflections & What’s Next
If you’re an established business interested in content creation or collaboration, you can find details and packages on my Let’s Work Together page. For everything else - wildlife tips, local connections, or just to say hi - you can always contact us here. We’re open to collaborations, community projects, and any opportunities to help showcase this landscape and its wildlife in an ethical, authentic way.
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