While Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree get all the attention, California has several other National Parks that highlight the diverse landscapes of this state. Just an hour by ferry off the coast are the first of the five breathtaking islands that make up Channel Islands National Park; Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara.
Getting there
The Islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats run by Island Packers which have two harbors, one in Oxnard and one in Ventura. Depending on the island you are visiting, boat times will vary from one hour to four and will cost anywhere from $31.50 – $84 each way (determined by the island you are visiting and whether or not you are staying overnight). Due to pier reconstruction, Island Packers is not providing transportation to Santa Barbara Island at the time of this post. Check their website for up to date schedules, as San Miguel and Santa Rosa only operate April through early November and all boats can book up far ahead of time (book in advance!).
The Island Packers ferries are comfortable and provide both interior and exterior seating. As the ocean can be unpredictable, you will have to call after 5:30 am on the day of your trip to confirm that there were no cancellations. Island Packers asks that you arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. If you desire a specific seat, such as an interior or a spot you believe will help you prevent seasickness (the ride may be bumpy), secure an early spot in line. While it is southern California, the mornings are still brisk. Pack a jacket if you plan on sitting outside to try to spot some wildlife. The variety of marine life will differ based on the time of year, and although Island Packers offer separate whale watching tours, often your island transport can act as a two for one. We were lucky enough to see dolphins and even a couple gray whales on our trip.
planning ahead
Bookings aren’t the only part of your journey that will require planning. There are no restaurants, stores, or provisions provided on the islands. While water is available on Santa Ana and Santa Cruz islands, there is no access to drinking water on the remaining three islands. Regardless of which island you are visiting, pack your own water, as spickets may not be close to where your adventures take you. Make sure to bring enough water and nutrients to provide for yourself, but whatever you do, do NOT share with the wildlife.
Nature of the island
The island landscapes are home to flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. There are only four mammals on the islands (the island fox, the island deer mouse, the harvest mouse and the spotted skunk), a small variety of reptiles and amphibians, and a plethora of birds and marine life. Seeing an island fox, endemic to the islands, should be on your Channel Islands bucket list! While not fact checked, on a personal visit, we were warned by a volunteer tour guide that the crows will work with the foxes to get into your food, so either keep it on you or utilize a food storage box. While this camaraderie may seem adorable, do not feed them. This is not only to protect the wildlife, but to protect you from potential disease passed through saliva, such as hantavirus which has been found in the deer mice population on the islands.
As mentioned, part of the beauty of the Channel Islands is a direct result of their isolation from the rest of the world. The National Park Service is actively working to remove invasive weeds on the island and needs your help to keep these environments the way they are intended to be. Make sure your shoes and gear are clean before you board the ferry to ensure you won’t be tracking any harmful materials to the island. This is also why you won’t be able to bring your pets (service animals require pre approval). Leave no trace (required) at the islands, such as by carrying in, carrying out your trash, not feeding wildlife, and not creating loud noises that will cause nesting birds to abandon their young.
The California sun can be unrelenting at any time of year. Eco-friendly sunscreen is essential! There are limited trees on the islands and finding shade varies from hard to impossible. While some of the campgrounds benefit from a small canopy, hikes and enjoying the water will leave you exposed to harmful UV rays.
Surf and Turf: Activities edition
Once you are lathered up, there are a plethora of fun adventures to be had! Channel Islands Adventure Company offers both kayaking and snorkeling tours that depart from Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. These are pricey, starting at over $120 per adult, but give you a safety orientation, a guided tour to the best sites, and include the price of your rentals. Booking in advance is required. If you are looking to venture the waters on your own or are visiting one of the other islands, you can bring your own kayak, surfboard, snorkel, or diving gear. Make sure to research the island you are visiting and see if the harbor and sea conditions match your skill level. While you can also rent kayaks from Channel Islands Kayak Center, be aware you’ll have to reserve ferry space for your personal or rented kayak with Island Packers (do this prior to renting to ensure available space).
The water is a great way to see the island! You’ll enjoy kelp forests and sea caves and have a surprising amount of visibility. As always, be respectful to the wildlife, such as not entering caves that seabirds are known to be nesting in.
If you want to stick to the land, there is still plenty to fill your day! Hiking is a main draw for visitors, and for good reason! It seems every turn provides a new vista. Volunteers provide guided hikes on each of the islands. If you prefer to set your own pace, the National Parks Service has useful trail maps on their website that you will want to either print or download as there is limited cell service on the islands (turn phone on airplane mode to prevent roaming and save battery for pictures). Note that some hikes on San Miguel are only accessible with a guide due to the island being a former bombing range and the possiblity of unexploded ordinances. For your safety, and conservation of the natural environment, stay on the trails.
Make sure to plan your hikes ahead of time to make the most of your day. While Anacapa can be explored in a day, you’ll have to pick and choose what you want to see at the other islands. If you are visiting Anacapa, make sure to get up close to the striking lighthouse. If you are visiting Santa Cruz, give yourself some time to check out the historic Scorpion ranch house. The time goes faster than you think, and the boat will leave without you. It may be hard to turn away from your hike before it’s complete, but make sure to be back at the dock with time to spare.
Stay awhile
By now you may be realizing one day might not be enough. Consider spending the night! Each island has primitive campsites available and some have occasional backcountry camping options. As the boats do not travel daily to San Miguel and Santa Rosa, there is a minimum stay of generally three days. Trips to Santa Cruz and Anacapa are best for beginners. As you are obviously arriving by boat, you’ll have to carry your goods to the campgrounds, so pack accordingly. Make sure to cross reference your campsite reservation dates with your boat tour dates (this is where planning ahead pays off, as one may book up before the other). You’ll need both for a successful overnight journey. If you anticipate simply not being able to get enough, consider taking a Channel Islands hopper, only available to campers who will be going on multi-island trips.
While a trip to the Channel Islands may seem to require more meticulous planning than your average camping trip, it is anything but average! Do yourself a favor and get a reservation today!
Additional Research via National Parks Service
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