Island Getaway for Sailors — Anyone?

Here’s something new: We all know sailors are the most hospitable breed of humans, so why not create a sail-in island getaway? The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking expressions of interest for an ‘Adaptive Reuse of Santa Rosa Island Ranch.’

Located on Santa Rosa Island (surprised?), the facilities sought would “provide a diverse range of lodging, food and beverage, transportation, campground management, and related visitor services at the historic ranch at Bechers Bay.”

While this may sound like a ‘development’ and may evoke visions of tall, shiny buildings and numerous retail outlets, it appears the NPS is more interested in the repurposing of existing buildings and infrastructure, starting with the historic Ranch House, historic Old Schoolhouse, and the Bechers Bay Campground.

A news report in the Santa Barbara Independent quotes island superintendent Ethan McKinley: “In my experience, buildings that go unoccupied begin to deteriorate and lose their value. We want to see these buildings be well used. We want to see the ranch thriving.”

So what say you, sailors? Anyone keen for a sailing ranch on Santa Rosa Island?

Expressions of Interest are due by Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 11:59 p.m..

In case you’ve never sailed to Santa Rosa Island, you can get a sailor’s perspective on this and the other Channel Islands in August’s Latitude 38.