Oceanside Harbor – Economic Impacts Affect the Community
Although these legal obstacles arose shortly after the opening of the Oceanside Harbor, the harbor would ultimately bring much success to local businesses surrounding the areas of Oceanside and Carlsbad. In 1965 just two years after implementation of the Oceanside Harbor local businesses were reporting increase in sales. The developer of the Oceanside Country Club, Ted Vallas, built the El Camino Inn directly across from the golf course. In an interview posted in The San Diego Union Vallas details that although the El Camino Inn is several miles from the harbor, he“ figured the Inn would attract yachtsmen who also wanted to spend part of their time golfing.” [25] Vallas said the success of his new hotel prompted him to start planning for an expansion adding 88 additional units.
New apartments, hotels, and timeshare properties were sought near the Oceanside beach Strand. Oceanside realtor Wally Chase reported, “property values have been rising in Oceanside since the harbor opened, and particularly on the oceanfront.” [26] The Mayor of Carlsbad, William C. Atkins Jr. claims that the Oceanside harbor has increased business among local restaurants and motels. Additionally, Mayor Atkins claimed, “I would venture the opinion that many families have settled in Carlsbad because of the nearby Oceanside Harbor and the other attractions we have.” [27] On September 26, 1965 The San Diego Union stated that the economic impact of the new harbor in Oceanside is plainly evident. [28] What was once the vision of a young entrepreneur, Erwin Sklar’s creation of the Oceanside Harbor has made an everlasting impact on the community surrounding the harbor.
25. “Harbor Keys New Growth,” The San Diego Union (September 26, 1965), Courtesy of the Oceanside Historical Society.
26. Ibid.
27. Ibid.
28. Ibid.