Just twelve miles off the coast of California lies five rugged Channel Islands. Featuring primitive trails and dramatic cliffs, it is rich in flora and fauna. This end-of-the-world landscape is an inspiring place to hike, catch a sunset, and whale watch.
Where To Find It
Channel Islands National Park is off the Southern California coast. Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. These rocky isles feature green hills and roaring surf. The water below hosts a variety of fish, dolphins, seals, whales, and sea lions. The land above hosts island foxes, ravens, and a variety of seabirds.
Stop by the visitor centers on the mainland in Ventura or Santa Barbara featuring a bookstore, a display of marine aquatic life, and exhibits featuring the unique character of each park island.
The only way to get to the islands is in the Park’s concessionaire boats (Island Packers) or by private boat. There are a number of day trips to take, be sure to read about each island before deciding on which one to visit! (There are two departing harbors, be sure to check yours once you have booked your trip).
(If you are prone to seasickness, don’t worry! In a boat, the best seat is in the middle of the boat, or the back of the boat. You will feel less motion here, specifically on the lower deck. If you do start to feel queasy, get some fresh air and ask the attendant for ginger ale).
Anacapa Island is a five-mile-long spine of rock that emerges from the ocean, and breaks into three islets or smaller islands. It has trails to a 1932 lighthouse and clifftop Inspiration Point. (Year-round trips, 1-hour ride from the mainland harbor)
Santa Cruz Island is the most popular island to visit and with good reason. Pristine beaches, rugged mountains, lonely canyons, grass-covered hills, and some animals and plants that you have never seen before. This paradise is Santa Cruz Island, a miniature of what southern California looked like over 100 years ago. The largest island in the national park, Santa Cruz is 22 miles long. A central valley splits the island along the Santa Cruz Island Fault, with volcanic rock on the north and older sedimentary rock on the south. It also features, Painted Cave, one of the world’s largest sea caves.
(Year-round trips with two harbor options. The 1-hour ride from the mainland harbor)
Santa Rosa Island is the second-largest island, 15 miles long and 10 miles wide—beckons you with rolling hills, deep canyons, a coastal lagoon, and beaches adorned with sand dunes and driftwood. The island fox, spotted skunk, and Munchkin Dudley (one of six plant species found only on this island) still live here. The Island also features rare Torrey pines. (Trips run from April-November, a 3-hour ride from the mainland harbor)
San Miguel Island is the westernmost island that receives the brunt of the northwesterly winds, fog, and severe weather from the open ocean. The cold, nutrient-rich water surrounding the eight-mile-long and four-mile-wide island is home to a diversity of sea life. Submerged rocks make the nearly 28-mile coastline a mariner’s nightmare. This Island features: Cabrillo Monument and thousands of seals gathered at San Miguel Island’s Point Bennett. (Trips run from April-November, a 4-hour ride from the mainland harbor)
Santa Barbara Island has steep cliffs of this smallest island about one square mile—rises above rocky shores to a grassy mesa flanked with twin peaks. This Southernmost Island draws nesting seabirds. Among those found here are Scripps’s murrelet, which nests in crevices in the cliffs, and the Santa Barbara Island live-forever, a rare plant found only on this island. (Trips run from spring to fall, a 3-hour ride from the mainland harbor)
Where To Stay
There are no lodging options on the islands. If you wish to stay in a hotel there are plenty of wonderful options in Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Barbara.
Primitive camping is available year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park. There is currently one campground on each island: on the east islet of Anacapa, Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz, Water Canyon on Santa Rosa, above Cuyler Harbor on San Miguel, and above the Landing Cove on Santa Barbara. Because the boats tend to fill up quickly, campers must first secure transportation for an overnight trip to Channel Islands National Park. Advanced camping reservations are required for all of the campgrounds. There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, a reservation fee is charged for camping on the islands – $15.00 per night per site.
Where To Eat
A limited amount of food and drink is available on the concessionaire boats. However, if you want a more substantial meal, or are planning on camping, be sure to bring your own food and water. (Potable water is available in the Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island and the Water Canyon campground on Santa Rosa Island).
When you return to the mainland, there are some amazing restaurant options in Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Barbara.
What To Pack
In regards to a day trip to the Channel Islands, I highly recommend bringing a backpack. Here you can have extra snacks, a place to store your maps, a camera, and extra layers. (It can also act as a trash bag, as there are none on the Islands).
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Of course, on a boat, and while you explore the island, you will have a lot of sun exposure. I highly recommend bringing along water, sunglasses, and a hat. I love my Hydro Flask. It keeps my water cool and sometimes the ice doesn’t even melt until the end of the day! Here is one of my favorite hats! It is always a good idea to wear sunscreen. This is what I use.
Climate and Best Time To Go
Although the park is located in “sunny” Southern California, there are actually seasons here. While the seasonal changes are nothing as one would find in Minnesota, there are differences that should take into consideration when visiting the park. Each season has its own character and casts a unique mood over the islands.
While you can visit the park throughout the entire year, there are considerable differences in the seasons that you should take into consideration. Each season has its own character and unique weather, natural history events, and outdoor activities.
Spring
The islands are green and wildflowers reach peak bloom, especially the brilliant yellow coreopsis flowers. During a normal year of rainfall, this occurs from late January through March.
Western gulls and other seabirds begin nesting. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to low-60s.
Island fox pups are born, Spring bird migration is underway, and Gray whale watching season ends.
Summer
Summer is the ideal time for sailing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. Temperatures average in the low-70s. Afternoon winds are common and fog diminishes near midsummer. Calm winds and seas become more frequent near the end of summer and continue through October. Although the vegetation begins to dry out, some plants like poppies and verbena continue to bloom. Whale watching begins for blue and humpback whales. (Most people visit the park during the June through August period).
Fall
Many consider the fall as the best time of year for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. Temperatures may reach into the 70s in early fall. Blue and humpback whale watching come to an end in early fall. Fall bird migration is underway and Northern elephant seals begin to gather at their rookery sites in late fall.
Winter
Some of the best sunsets of the year occur during this time of year! Temperatures begin to cool, winter storms start to appear, with most rain falling between December and March. But, beautiful, sunny, clear winter days occur between storms. Gray whale watching begins at the end of December and lasts until April. Islands begin to turn green and wildflowers start blooming during the late winter months.
Bucket List Activities
There are endless activities for everyone, here in the Channel Islands. My favorites include:
Birdwatching on the East Anacapa Loop Trail on Anacapa Island.
Kayaking through the sea caves off Scorpion Beach on Santa Cruz Island.
Looking out for sea lions on San Miguel Island.
Walking along the coast of Water Canyon Beach on Santa Rosa Island.
Whale-watching on the ferry ride out to Santa Barbara Island.
Instagram Worthy Spots
Although, there are TONS of photo ops around every corner; my favorite Instagram spots were on Santa Cruz Island! Take the Cavern Point Loop trail and continue to the Potato Harbor for some amazing cliff and beach shots!
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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