Schock Boats has deep roots in Orange County. In 1946, W.D. "Bill" Schock started building Schock Sailboats in Newport Beach, and the retail store eventually moved north to its present location in Huntington Harbor, where it’s operated by Steve and Ruth Schock.
We’re proud to be in the heart of the Southern California marine community, and a great launching point for destinations both up and down the coast, as well as out in the great Pacific Ocean. Here are a few of our favorite destinations for day or overnight explorations, perfect for Orange County marine boaters.
A reminder, if you’re new in the area: There is virtually no protection from the mighty Pacific on this journey, and places to duck in for shelter are few and far between, so make sure you check the weather for your journey.
Long Beach
Keep your wits about you as you enter the Long Beach/Los Angeles harbor complex, the busiest port on the West Coast. Lots of shipping traffic dictates that you follow your charts and stay out of the lanes. You can walk or bike to the shops and restaurants at Rainbow Harbor, also the site of the Aquarium of the Pacific. Explore Shoreline Aquatic Park around Lions Lighthouse, check out the Transpac Walk of Fame, honoring the winners of this famous race from Southern California to Hawaii, and visit the glamorous 1936 ocean liner Queen Mary.
Los Alamitos Bay and Naples
Just a short hop southeast of the Long Beach Harbor, find quaint Alamitos Bay. There are three yacht clubs where you might get a reciprocal slip if you belong to a different club. Much of the shoreline is private homes, including on Naples Island, a Venice-like residential area where a maze of canals is bordered by affluent homes and interesting gardens. There are plenty of restaurants, and the Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market is worth a visit on Sundays.
Newport Harbor, Balboa Island, and Peninsula
The entry to the scenic harbor of Newport Beach is flanked by a small lagoon where scenes for "Gilligan's Island" were filmed, and the harbor itself is lined with swank homes, some celebrity-owned. Plenty of restaurants allow you to dock while you dine. Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula have a historic beach resort flavor, complete with the Fun Zone amusement area and a signature confection, the Balboa Bar: a chocolate-dipped vanilla ice cream bar dipped in chopped peanuts. You can also rent a standup paddleboard (SUP), a personal watercraft (PWC) or a kayak.
Santa Catalina Island
Last but never least, Santa Catalina Island has a wonderful blend of Old Hollywood resort vibes and unspoiled nature. 30 miles offshore, this closest of the Channel Islands is a popular outing for people piloting their ocean-going boats, and tourists taking advantage of the Catalina Flyer, a 600-passenger double-decker ferry. The 1929 art deco Casino overlooks the laid-back town of Avalon, the largest town on the island at under 4,000 people.
Schock Boats in Huntington Beach is here for all your Orange County boating needs. We look forward to helping you find your perfect new vessel!