Whiskers in the Wild: Sea Lion Colony in Motion at Silver Strand Beach
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 & Silver Strand Beach, Oxnard, California // September 25th, 2025
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Locations
📍 Channel View Park — 29 Ocean Dr, Oxnard, CA 93035
Small park at the harbor entrance, just steps from Hollywood Beach. Sea lions often gather on the rocks and in the water - listen for their signature “arf”! No restrooms at the park, but facilities are available elsewhere in the harbor. Limited street and lot parking.
📍 Kiddie Beach Park — 2721 Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 93035
Calm, protected cove inside Channel Islands Harbor. Great for families and swimming. Lifeguard on duty in summer. Showers, restrooms, and free parking on-site. Check water advisories after storms. Recently a major sea lion haul-out - maintain a safe distance and follow posted restrictions.
📍 Hobie Beach — 2974-3098 Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 93035
Designated launch site for kayaks, SUPs, and small sailboats. Calm harbor water, easy marina access. Free parking in adjacent lot. Restrooms & showers nearby at Kiddie Beach.
📍 Silver Strand Beach — 2525 Ocean Dr, Oxnard, CA 93035
Stretch of beach near harbor mouth, featuring rocky jetty haul-outs popular with sea lions. Parking and restrooms available at nearby beach access points.
From Morro Bay to Harbor Home
This week’s update looks a little different. We spent our weekend in Morro Bay for Sea Otter Awareness Week, observing and learning more about respectful wildlife viewing. Back at home, I’ve also been deep into site work and editing, which meant less time than usual to photograph and log new sea lion stories. Instead of our typical mix of still images and long reflections, I’m excited to switch things up and share something special - a nearly five-minute video of the sea lion colony at Silver Strand Beach.
Sea Lions at Silver Strand: Life in Motion
This video is a window into harbor life you don’t always get from photos alone. Watch as the sea lions play, rest, and interact in their natural element - showing off their personalities and social dynamics. There’s something extra immersive about seeing the colony in motion: the way they slip in and out of the pile, the playful chases, the moments of rest, and the subtle interactions that define their community. Sometimes, letting the camera roll tells the story best.
To watch in 4K, first press play. Then click the gear icon in the player and select the highest quality option.
Looking Ahead
We’ll be back soon with more traditional posts including portraits, field notes, and new stories from the harbor and beyond. We’re also excited to share more video footage, especially on YouTube, to document the colony’s life in motion. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this video update and take a moment to just watch and appreciate these amazing animals in action.
Thank you for following along with Whiskers in the Wild as we continue to explore and share the unique lives of California’s sea lions.
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