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Enjoy family fun at Channel Islands Harbor and Sivlerstrand Beach
Story: The Ship That Became a Jetty — and the Tavern That Kept the Legend Alive
Long before Silverstrand Beach became the quiet, sun‑washed neighborhood we know today, its shoreline was shaped by a maritime disaster that locals still talk about. In the early 1900s, a coastal freighter caught in a violent winter storm lost control as it approached the entrance to what is now the Channel Islands Harbor. Pushed sideways by relentless surf, the vessel struck the sandbar and capsized just offshore. For days it remained lodged in the shallows, battered by waves until its hull finally broke apart.
The Silverstrand Jetty, built over the remains of a historic shipwreck, stands just steps from the longtime local favorite — the Beachcomber Tavern.
Instead of removing the wreckage, engineers used the remains of the ship as the foundation for what would become the Silverstrand Jetty. Layer by layer, stone and concrete were added over the ship’s bones, turning tragedy into a structure that now protects the harbor and defines the coastline. Even today, longtime residents say that during extremely low tides, you can still sense the outline of the old hull beneath the rocks.
As the jetty became a landmark, so did another local treasure just a short walk away — the Beachcomber Tavern.
🍹 The Beachcomber Tavern: A Local Icon
The Beachcomber Tavern welcomes locals and visitors with its rustic coastal charm and long-standing Silverstrand history.
The Beachcomber Tavern has been part of the Silverstrand community for over 40 years, opening its doors in the early 1980s. It was founded by longtime local Tom “Captain” Delaney, a fisherman‑turned‑entrepreneur who wanted a place where harbor workers, surfers, and neighbors could gather after long days on the water.
Today, the tavern is still family‑owned, now run by Delaney’s daughter, Megan Delaney, who has preserved its rustic, nautical charm. With weathered wood siding, turquoise trim, and a classic “Now Open” sign that locals instantly recognize, the Beachcomber remains a true neighborhood bar — the kind where everyone knows each other, and newcomers are welcomed like old friends.
Inside, it’s a laid‑back coastal tavern known for:
- Cold beer served in frosted glasses
- Live acoustic music on weekends
- A wall of vintage harbor photos
- Stories from old‑timers who still remember the shipwreck that shaped the jetty
Many say the Beachcomber is the unofficial storyteller of Silverstrand — the place where the legend of the capsized ship lives on.
Disclaimer/disclosure: “Content generated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) support, content generated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance.”
The Ship That Became a Jetty in Channel Islands Oxnard, Ca. 93035
