Channel Islands Harbor is the center of Oxnard's recreational waterfront — a 2,600-slip marina where fishing boats, sailboats, and whale-watching vessels share the water. The harbor is animated and well-maintained, with waterfront restaurants, charter operations, and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum clustered around its inner basin.
Whale-watching charters depart regularly, and the harbor is the main departure point for day trips to Channel Islands National Park. The ferry to Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands takes about an hour, putting rugged island wilderness within easy reach. Even if you're not heading offshore, the harbor makes for a pleasant afternoon — walk the docks, eat at the wharf, and watch the catch come in.