2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Jeremy McCreary]

I never thought much about those Islands offshore. I do remember years ago reading about John Ford and his yacht and spending time out at Catalina Island playing endless poker games, a young John Wayne (Marion) deck hand making drinks for Ford and his drinking buddies! Do many people live out there nowadays? Or are they National Parks? Can people build houses on them? Be a fun daily commute, sailing to and from an Island to LA! Hadn't realised there were that many Islands.

San Clemente Island is a naval base. The east end of Santa Catalina is developed private land with houses, condos, and businesses. The islands are otherwise protected within the Channel Islands National Park.

I've taken ferries from Ventura Harbor to Santa Cruz Island and from Long Beach Harbor to Santa Catalina Island. The Santa Cruz crossing happened to be very rough both ways — not a ride I'd want to face on a regular basis. I believe people do commute to Santa Catalina.

The highly folded and faulted ocean floor within the Southern California Bight is much like a submerged version of Nevada, with the tallest peaks sticking out of the water to form the Channel Islands. Massive submarine landslides triggered by earthquakes on the bigger faults pose a serious tsunami risk to the entire SoCal coast.

We live only 1 km from the water but are high enough (almost 50 m ASL) to be safe from any credible run-up. The zillion-dollar beach homes will likely be swept away. The natural beauty and wonderful climate here come at a price.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

San Clemente Island is a naval base. The east end of Santa Catalina is developed private land with houses, condos, and businesses. The islands are otherwise protected within the Channel Islands National Park.

I've taken ferries from Ventura Harbor to Santa Cruz Island and from Long Beach Harbor to Santa Catalina Island. The Santa Cruz crossing happened to be very rough both ways — not a ride I'd want to face on a regular basis. I believe people do commute to Santa Catalina.

The highly folded and faulted ocean floor within the Southern California Bight is much like a submerged version of Nevada, with the tallest peaks sticking out of the water to form the Channel Islands. Massive submarine landslides triggered by earthquakes on the bigger faults pose a serious tsunami risk to the entire SoCal coast.

Fascinating!

 

[stompandgo]

At least @Jeremy McCreary lives on rock. I live on a sandbar, about 3km from the water. Our underwater topography is also interesting, and equally fragile.