N33º 43.790', W118º 04.990'
Called Huntington Harbor, the area's
official title is Sunset/Huntington Harbor and includes Sunset Marina park
as well as 2 public marinas. Most of the harbor consists of privately held
slips adjacent to residences, with a total of about 3,000 boats in the
harbor. Entrance is through Anaheim Bay and between the Naval Weapons
Station and Huntington Harbor and under the PCH bridge. Boats pass through
the Anaheim Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This is home to numerous types of
marine life and birds that thrive in the natural habitat that has existed
for years. The area is said to be one of the most important and beautiful
natural wildlife areas along the Pacific Coast.
History... The harbor first opened its facilities in 1969. Prior to that,
the area was an undeveloped natural waterway adjacent to the huge wildlife
area that is still untouched. Sunset Bay as it was called was first thought
to be a potential recreation site in 1957 and was surveyed in 1958 for
feasibility. By 1961 the necessary steps had been taken to assure that this
would be a future harbor. Originally, 64 acres of this area belonged to
the federal government and was part of the Naval Ammunition Station in Seal
Beach. Declared surplus, the site was acquired by the Harbor District with
the condition that it be developed as a public park for recreational
purposes. At the time of purchase, in 1962, the property consisted of tidal
marshlands that were completely covered by water at high tide. Additional
acreage, consisting of state tidelands of approximately 31 acres, were
leased. The site required approximately 5 feet of fill before being suitable
for development.
Some channel dredging was also necessary
to ensure that the harbor would be navigable. Public hearings held in
October, 1961, discussed the plans for harbor development. Many proposals
were presented before the final adoption of existing facilities. A new
harbor improvement area was created. Construction was initiated in 1963. A
concessionaire lease was bid in the late 1960's. The selected concessionaire
constructed boat slips, landscaping and parking areas. Later, a sublease
developed a full service boat repair facility. Future development is
expected to include a campground, wildlife observations area, additional
boat slips and boat storage.
(County of Orange, Harbors, Beaches and Parks)
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Sunset Marina Park
includes a 276 slip marina, a public boat launch ramp with multiple
lanes, boat and trailer parking, car parking areas, a boat repair
yard and public picnic areas. There are no specific operating hours
for the harbor itself, but a 10:00 p.m. curfew law is enforced at
all beaches. Centrally located restrooms and picnic shelters are
provided for public convenience. For guest slip and temporary
anchorage information, boaters should call the Harbor Patrol office
in Newport Beach at: (949) 723-1002.
The Sunset Huntington Harbor Launch Ramp is located in
Huntington Harbor. Exit I-405 at Bolsa Chica, go west to Edinger
Ave., turn right and continue to the marina. Entry requires $7 to
feed the machine at the gate. Open 24 hours a day. There are seven
lanes leading from a paved parking lot. Two long loading docks makes
loading and unloading easy. Engine flushout, only, is available in
rear of large parking lot - 50 cents for 10minutes. Overnight (one
night) usage is included with paid entry. Additional nights are $5
payable at the office, phone (310) 592-2833. After exiting Anaheim
Bay, Bill's Bait has a receiver just inside the east end of the Long
Beach Breakwater. Try VHF channel 11 to contact the barge for bait
and fishing information. This area is under the jurisdiction of the
County of Orange Harbors, Beaches and Parks. |
