Pointing your browser over to Naos, you’ll find a Cruising section where we highlight certain prize destinations you should consider when sailing. The beauty of sailing is that you’ve essentially got for yourself a floating condo. It’s a means to take you, your family, your friends, your love interests, your business partners, your clients and whomever you wish on an adventure far or near, within the comfort of a yacht.
Now all that’s left is to choose your destinations. It’s unlikely the first place you’ll go is to the Cayman Island or the Great Reefs of Australia but you can make that your dream, and make it happen as soon as you feel you’re ready and as soon you’ve got the right people to take on such an adventure. For the immediate, the sailing lifestyle can take to enjoy wonderful destinations even just half a day away.
Today, we offer the comfort of Oxnard, coupled with the wild and beautiful Channel Islands:
Heading North a few hours, past Malibu, is the city of Oxnard and, by extension, the Channel Islands National Park roughly 25 nautical miles off the coast. The latter is composed of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara Islands (although S.B. is nothing more than a rock in the water). These offer an entirely difference experience from the other, more popular Channel Island Catalina (see our separate page for info on that destination).
Santa Cruz in particular is a beautiful spot but as wild as they come. You have to anchor off the shore and make your own way to ground where you’ll find steep cliffs, gigantic sea caves, coves, sandy beaches and a peak called Devil’s Peak that rises over 2400 feet above the water. There are also numerous archeological sites and abundant wildlife on the Channel Islands. Visit the NOAA website for more info on flora and fauna on the islands. Don’t expect much else beyond the primitive, pristine nature except maybe a park ranger or two. You can also visit the National Park Service website for more information.
Some boat owners may choose to keep their boats in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor, which is 53 nautical miles North of the bigger Marina Del Rey and takes a little more than 6 hours to sail to. Otherwise, if you belong to a marina in the Santa Monica Bay chances are you enjoy reciprocal privileges you can take advantage of during your visit to Oxnard, or Newport Beach or San Diego for that matter. For example, the California Yacht Club has an agreement with the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club in Oxnard that allows CYC members to use their dock, restrooms, dock carts, restaurants, pool areas and Wi-Fi connections for a minor deposit. Be sure to provide a letter of introduction from your yacht club or have a membership card when you arrive. The Harbor is also where you would want to get the supplies you need to spend some time on the Channel Island parks.
