Whiskers in the Wild: Week One with the Harbor Colony 🌤️
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, Oxnard, California // August 20th, 2025
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Equipment
Locations
📍 Sea Fresh Channel Islands — 3550 S Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035
Family-owned, right on the harbor. Great for fresh seafood, chowder in a bread bowl, and a breezy patio dinner before heading out to watch the colony. Parking & restrooms available in the plaza.
📍 Honey Cup Coffee House — 3500 Harbor Blvd Ste. 1-105, Oxnard, CA 93035
Local coffee shop in the Channel Islands Harbor plaza. My favorite: Honey Comb Iced Latte with oat milk. Great pastries, friendly baristas, and plenty of plaza parking. Restrooms available in the plaza.
📍 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 — 3600 Harbor Blvd, 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 S 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.
First Week Reflections
A week ago, I was all about sunrise coffee and quiet mornings at the harbor. But late summer has a way of shaking up routines. With daylight fading earlier, I’m soaking up every golden evening I can get. I haven’t given up on morning visits - far from it. But there’s something about catching the colony as the sun dips that’s hard to pass up.
Evenings, Chowder, and Settling In
Lately, we’ve been heading to dinner first - clam chowder in a bread bowl at Sea Fresh, a family-owned spot that’s been part of the harbor for decades. Their focus on local, sustainable seafood makes it that much better - and the harborside patio is just about the perfect place to wind down before heading out to watch the sea lions. With ChowderFest coming up at the Maritime Museum, I’m determined to taste my way through every bowl in town and find my favorite. If you’re local or just love a good bread bowl, it’s worth checking out! Honestly, we’ve eaten really well and discovered so many great viewpoints lately that it feels wrong not to share, so keep an eye out for a “best of” local roundup soon.
Late Summer Sea Lion Behavior
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are nothing if not adaptable. This week, the colony has been especially lively - so much chasing, playful wrestling, and the usual flipper-up thermoregulation as they soak up the last warmth of the day. I’ve noticed more individuals spreading out across the beach and rocks at the harbor mouth, with groups forming and dissolving in classic late-summer fashion. Since this is our first summer living here, it’s been fascinating to watch the population grow and see larger numbers of sea lions in the channel in front of my apartment - further into the harbor than I’d seen earlier in the year. Their range seems to be expanding, and I’m spotting new faces in places that used to be quieter.
California sea lions are easy to spot thanks to their external ear flaps and sleek, chocolate-brown coats. If you see a much larger sea lion with a pronounced forehead bump (called a sagittal crest), that’s an adult male - females are smaller and lighter brown, while juveniles are smaller and tend to be medium to dark brown as their coats lighten with age. They’re famously social and vocal, but they’re also opportunistic eaters - snacking on everything from squid to sardines. While California sea lions aren’t endangered, they do face real threats from pollution, fishing gear, and harmful algal blooms.
Some of my favorite moments have been the spontaneous ones: two juveniles mock-fighting in the shallows, a pileup of sleepy sea lions, or that unmistakable “side-eye” from a sunbather who’s had enough of the evening chaos.
Health Update: All Clear
On the conservation front, I’m relieved to say I haven’t seen any sick, injured, or entangled sea lions this week. Everyone looked healthy, active, and well-fed - a small but real win, especially knowing how quickly things can change.
PSA: Respect Over Ridicule
One thing I did notice (and want to gently call out): a handful of visitors pointing, yelling, or trying to get a reaction out of the sea lions - sometimes by running right up to them, shouting “ARF!” at close range, or waiting for them to respond. I get it - sea lions are hilarious, and it’s natural to laugh about their antics or swap jokes with friends. But there’s a line between enjoying them and putting stress on wild animals. Laugh all you want from a distance, but crowding, mocking, or trying to provoke a reaction isn’t just bad manners; it can actually disrupt their routines and cause real harm.
Sea lions are wild, powerful animals. The best way to watch is from a respectful distance. If you ever see a sea lion (or any marine mammal) in trouble, please report it to CIMWI’s Rescue Team if you’re in Ventura or Santa Barbara County. Not in the area? Find your local rescue using NOAA’s directory or call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.
Rhythm & Routine
A week in, and this already feels less like an experiment and more like part of daily life. The sea lions (and these harbor walks) are just woven into my routine now. I’m starting to notice the little shifts: which faces show up, who’s missing, which stretch of beach or rock is suddenly the new hangout. With each new day on the harbor, I’m curious to see what the colony will do next.
Looking Ahead
Some of this week’s photos may end up as prints in the shop, but for now, they’re here for anyone who wants a closer look.
P.S. We’re heading out on a summer whale watching tour with Island Packers this week, so if you’re interested in whale content, keep an eye out for a separate post soon!
Thanks for following along, and for caring. See you (and the colony) at the harbor.
Gallery
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