Sea-sational leisure activities this summer at Ventura Harbor


THE COAST IS CLEAR—There’s plenty of summer fun ahead at Ventura Harbor Village. Courtesy photo

THE COAST IS CLEAR—There’s plenty of summer fun ahead at Ventura Harbor Village. Courtesy photo

Ventura Harbor Village, which has free admission and parking, offers a variety of entertainment and activities this summer.

Go to venturaharborvillage.com for more information on events.

Waterfront Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in July and August. Seaside boutiques and shops, dive and drink specials, a free kid’s scavenger hunt with prizes, and a chance to send a Ventura postcard to friends for free.

Also “must-seas” play specials offered only on Wednesdays include Channel Island National Park Visitor Center for the Marine Sanctuary’s Live Dive program webcast, The Ultimate Escape Rooms, Ventura Boat Rentals and Ventura Comedy Club.

Fourth annual Seaside Kids Club from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays through Aug. 8 on the waterfront. For ages 3 to 10. Ocean-themed activities, entertainment, bubbles and crafts.

Weekly topics are: July 18, “Cool Kelp”; July 25, “Salty Crew”; Aug. 1, “Seaside Fun in the Sun”; and Aug. 8, “California Vibes.”

Cost is $5 per child, or become a Seaside Kids Club Member for $15 for all sessions. Membership includes a complimentary harbor seal or Channel Islands Fox stuffy after three visits, special goodies each week and a guaranteed spot at the kids club each week.

Sign-in begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Kelp Corridor across from Coffee Dock and Post and outside the Village Carousel and Arcade.

Steel Drum Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday in July and August at the seaside Promenade Stage. Live steel drum performances.

Live Summer Music Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. on the oceanfront Promenade Stage. Listen to music on the promenade patios, or on the water aboard a kayak, SUP, electric boat or paddle boats for the best floating seats in the harbor.

Channel Islands National Park. Visitors can explore the park with daily excursions to five islands 14 miles off shore. Activities include whale watching, nature hikes, swimming, kayaking to sea caves, scuba diving, snorkeling, tide pool exploration, narrated island wildlife cruises, birding, fishing and visits to sea caves. The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, situated adjacent to Ventura Harbor Village, is open daily and is free to the public.

Boat excursions, sport fishing trips and paddleboard yoga classes are available for a fee.

Harbor Cove Beach offers opportunities for stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking and biking. Free summer parking and restrooms.

Surfer’s Knoll Beach is on Spinnaker Drive across the street from the Ventura Harbor Village. Sunbathing, sea glass hunting and walking toward the bird sanctuary along the beach.