A Few Reviews from the Swing Through Southern California
Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA: Friendly pub atmosphere.
Dinner here on September 15, 2016; reviewed October 27, 2016 See this review on Trip Advisor.
This is sort of the stereotypical Irish pub with dark woodwork but it is still inviting. A friend and I visited on a Thursday evening for dinner. While the small outdoor seating area was packed the inside dinning was not too crowded and we were seated immediately. The service was very good. The young lady who took care of us was very friendly and quite helpful. Very good selection on the menu, good mix of Irish and American dishes. Plus they had Murphy's stout on tap so a bit of a change of pace. I went with an old standard, fish and chips. The server warned me that it was a big food and it was, but it was also very tasty.
Overall a very good experience. If I am ever in the area again I will certainly eat here again.
Dinner here on September 15, 2016; reviewed October 27, 2016 See this review on Trip Advisor.
This is sort of the stereotypical Irish pub with dark woodwork but it is still inviting. A friend and I visited on a Thursday evening for dinner. While the small outdoor seating area was packed the inside dinning was not too crowded and we were seated immediately. The service was very good. The young lady who took care of us was very friendly and quite helpful. Very good selection on the menu, good mix of Irish and American dishes. Plus they had Murphy's stout on tap so a bit of a change of pace. I went with an old standard, fish and chips. The server warned me that it was a big food and it was, but it was also very tasty.
Overall a very good experience. If I am ever in the area again I will certainly eat here again.
Holiday Inn Express, Ventura, CA: One-night stay preceding a day trip to the Channel Islands
Stayed September 13-14, 2016; reviewed December 4, 2016 See this review on Trip Advisor.
In order to be close to the marina for an early morning boat trip to the Channel Islands, I stayed the night before at the Holiday Inn located at the marina. Great choice. Very convenient location for my needs. Large, comfortable room. A little dated but overall in good shape. Nice view over the marina from my room. Very nice breakfast area. Standard fare but a nice setting with an open air eating area that also overlooked the marina. Fit my needs perfectly.
Stayed September 13-14, 2016; reviewed December 4, 2016 See this review on Trip Advisor.
In order to be close to the marina for an early morning boat trip to the Channel Islands, I stayed the night before at the Holiday Inn located at the marina. Great choice. Very convenient location for my needs. Large, comfortable room. A little dated but overall in good shape. Nice view over the marina from my room. Very nice breakfast area. Standard fare but a nice setting with an open air eating area that also overlooked the marina. Fit my needs perfectly.
Island Packers, Ventura, CA: Very Professional outfit, with a good focus on both safety and fun.
Toured to Channel Islands on September 14, 2016; reviewed October 27, 2016 See this review on Trip Advisor.
I hitched a ride with Island Packers to Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park for a day of hiking. Island Packers is really the only way to get to the island for the casual visitor. But the whole deal was easy and efficient, from finding information on their website, on-line reservations, check-in, and all the details of getting to and from the island from the marina in Ventura. It truly was a breeze. The only knock is having to check in 45 minutes before departure which is way more time than is needed for a day visitor who is carrying their own pack (for folks brining a lot of equipment for a longer excursion on the island it makes total sense). But it was a nice morning and there were plenty of birds and people to watch while waiting to board.
The crew does a wonderful job taking care of the passengers. They work very hard to ensure the comfort and safety of everyone on board the boat. But they are also extremely friendly and knowledgeable as well. During the cruise to Santa Crus Island, I think they are all on the look-out for dolphins and whales and the Skipper will slow the boat and maneuver about so that everyone gets a chance to see the show. Some of the crew are naturalists who are available to answer questions about the wildlife seen at sea as well as providing insights on the islands. Unfortunately we struck out on whale sightings but saw several dolphins, sea lions and birds.
Once at Santa Cruz Island, the crew was unbelievably quick in getting the small motorized skiffs in the water to ferry the passengers from the big boat to the beach. You see, the pier at the Scorpion anchorage was out of commission due to storm damage, so the passengers were ferried to shore six at a time. I thought this would take a lot longer than it did, but there were three skiffs in play and even being one of the last day use passengers to go ashore I bet the entire process only took 30 minutes or so. And they basically drove the skiff right up on the beach so my feet did not even get wet as I stepped from the skiff to the shore. Well done indeed.
After a day of hiking around Santa Cruz Island, the peaceful return trip was very welcome. Many folks were napping on the boat ride back to Ventura. But there was a nice reward available in the galley of the boat as there was beer on tap from a local brewer. I nice pale ale after a long day on the trails was the perfect way to close out the day. Nicely done, Island Packer. Nicely done, indeed!
Toured to Channel Islands on September 14, 2016; reviewed October 27, 2016 See this review on Trip Advisor.
I hitched a ride with Island Packers to Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park for a day of hiking. Island Packers is really the only way to get to the island for the casual visitor. But the whole deal was easy and efficient, from finding information on their website, on-line reservations, check-in, and all the details of getting to and from the island from the marina in Ventura. It truly was a breeze. The only knock is having to check in 45 minutes before departure which is way more time than is needed for a day visitor who is carrying their own pack (for folks brining a lot of equipment for a longer excursion on the island it makes total sense). But it was a nice morning and there were plenty of birds and people to watch while waiting to board.
The crew does a wonderful job taking care of the passengers. They work very hard to ensure the comfort and safety of everyone on board the boat. But they are also extremely friendly and knowledgeable as well. During the cruise to Santa Crus Island, I think they are all on the look-out for dolphins and whales and the Skipper will slow the boat and maneuver about so that everyone gets a chance to see the show. Some of the crew are naturalists who are available to answer questions about the wildlife seen at sea as well as providing insights on the islands. Unfortunately we struck out on whale sightings but saw several dolphins, sea lions and birds.
Once at Santa Cruz Island, the crew was unbelievably quick in getting the small motorized skiffs in the water to ferry the passengers from the big boat to the beach. You see, the pier at the Scorpion anchorage was out of commission due to storm damage, so the passengers were ferried to shore six at a time. I thought this would take a lot longer than it did, but there were three skiffs in play and even being one of the last day use passengers to go ashore I bet the entire process only took 30 minutes or so. And they basically drove the skiff right up on the beach so my feet did not even get wet as I stepped from the skiff to the shore. Well done indeed.
After a day of hiking around Santa Cruz Island, the peaceful return trip was very welcome. Many folks were napping on the boat ride back to Ventura. But there was a nice reward available in the galley of the boat as there was beer on tap from a local brewer. I nice pale ale after a long day on the trails was the perfect way to close out the day. Nicely done, Island Packer. Nicely done, indeed!