COUNTY HARBORS OFFER VISITORS BOUNTY OF FUN : MUSEUMS, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS DOT OXNARD, VENTURA SEASIDES.

Byline: Victoria Giraud Special to the Daily News

Less than an hour across scenic Highway 126 are Ventura County's two harbors, boasting a surprising array of onshore and offshore adventures for locals weary of steamy, smoggy days and in need of some coastal air.

For the adventuresome who think of a harbor as a point of departure rather than a destination, Island Packers, [phone], runs year-round excursions to the offshore Channel Islands and is now located at both harbors.

These boat trips offer landing or nonlanding choices and can be half-day, full-day or multiple-day outings. For a shorter, more intimate experience on the water, try the paddle boats for two or the single-person kayaks at Ventura Harbor.

Sportfishing, scuba excursions to the Channel Islands and boat rentals also can be found at either harbor. Ventura Harbor has a harbor cruise and Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard has its own little yellow Harbor Hopper Ferry to take passengers among the various areas of the harbor.

The naturalist, the boating enthusiast and children of all ages will find museums of interest at both harbors.

Next to Ventura Harbor is the Channel Islands National Park Visitors Center, featuring a small museum with displays of island flora and fauna, as well as a populated tide pool - its glass sides are child height.

Fisherman's Wharf at Channel Islands Harbor features the Ventura County Maritime Museum, with lots of ship models detailing the development of ocean passage from 4000 B.C. to today, with knowledgeable docents to guide the curious. There's also a special hands-on section for children.

Landlubbers can enjoy a wide range of stores and restaurants at either harbor.

Among Ventura Harbor Village's many shops, there's an aquarium store, a kite shop, a used-book store, a sculpture and painting gallery, a hat store and a bikini shop.

Channel Islands' nearby areas include a bath shop, an Australian import store, a shop for the seashell aficionado, several clothing stores and a marine emporium with all sorts of supplies for the nautically minded, serious or not.

Food is varied at Ventura Harbor, from fresh seafood and deli choices to Greek, Italian, Mexican and American. Simpler fare - sandwiches, ice cream and coffee - are also available.

Channel Islands offers an outdoor seafood market that will cook the diner's fish to order and several large seafood restaurants of varying price scales. There is a variety of other restaurants, including Mexican and Italian, and a food court at Harbor Landing for the budget-minded.

Almost any weekend there will be plenty of activities at either harbor. Ventura Harbor has live music, from Latin jazz to country, most weekends and plans a kids' day once a month with ponies, face painting, a petting zoo and a magic show.

Channel Islands holds a farmers market at Harbor Landing every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a monthly art festival at the same location. At Fisherman's Wharf, there's live music most weekends.

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Photo: Paddle boat and kayak rentals, a marine museum and a variety of specialty shops and restaurants can be found at Ventura's Harbor Village.