Channel Islands National Park
Discover Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park comprises five rugged islands off the coast of Ventura County and Santa Barbara County in Southern California. Formerly home to ancient villages and 19th-century ranches, the national park is now a nature reserve with beautiful landscapes, peaceful hikes, unique wildlife, and great sea-kayaking. Five of the eight islands in the Channel Islands archipelago are part of the national park: Anacapa Island, Santa Barbara Island, Santa Cruz Island, San Miguel Island and Santa Rosa Island.
What to Experience in Channel Islands National Park
Famous Beaches
Taste of Channel Islands National Park...
There is no food sold on the islands, so pack all you need to eat and plan to pack out all your trash. On the ferry, limited food options are available in the galley. Bring plenty of water. Potable water is available from only two places, Scorpion Canyon campground on Santa Cruz Island and Water Canyon campground on Santa Rosa Island, and is not available on San Miguel, Santa Barbara, or Anacapa. (Indeed, the reason Anacapa has no island foxes is because there's not even a reliable natural source of fresh water there.) A lot of visitors come on day trips for hiking, kayaking, or beachgoing. If you want to sleep on the islands, there's no lodging, only camping. Advanced camping reservations are required for all of the park's campgrounds; reservations can be made by calling ☏ +1-877-444-6777 or online. Campsites are generally located close to one another and if the campground is filled to capacity conditions may be crowded. No trash service is provided and all campers must pack out their own trash. Be prepared to carry your camping gear from the landing areas to the campgrounds. Due to the weather variation which can occur in the Park, visitors to the islands should dress in layers, with short and long pants, fleece jacket or sweatshirt, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, and waterproof outer clothing. Reapply sunscreen frequently as the islands are very exposed. In addition, visitors should wear sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles. There are no supplies on the islands.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Channel Islands National Park into what it is today.
For over 10,000 years, the northern Channel Islands have hosted a diverse range of peoples and cultures. The large number and undisturbed condition of archeological sites on the islands are shedding light on coastal migration patterns of the earliest Americans and their subsistence in the marine environment. Human remains discovered in 1959 at Arlington Springs on Santa Rosa Island have been dated to more than 13,000 years of age, among the oldest dated human remains in North America. New information about the Island Chumash, the native population that inhabited these islands for thousands of years, continues to fascinate historians and visitors alike. These native people relied on the sea for much of their sustenance and manufactured tools and trade items from shells and stones. The Chumash were able to travel between the islands and the mainland in plank canoes, called tomols, which were constructed out of redwood trees drifting down the coast. In 1542, explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo reached San Miguel Island while voyaging along the American coast seeking new lands for conquest and development. For 200 years, explorers and traders visited the islands where they hunted otters, seals, and sea lions for their pelts and oil, greatly increasing the exploitation of the marine resources and introducing diseases that decimated the native populations. Claimed for Spain by the early explorers, the islands fell under Mexican rule in 1821....
Climate
Although the park is in sunny southern California there are distinct seasons, each with its own character and unique mood. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island. Although this makes planning your visit a little difficult, we must remember that this unpredictable and, at times, unforgiving weather is one of the main reasons that the islands have been afforded so much isolation and protection from the rapid changes seen on the mainland. It is, in part, what makes the Channel Islands such a unique and wonderful place. In general, the islands have a Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, visitors to the islands must be prepared for high winds, fog, rough seas, and sea spray at any time. Winds are often calm in the early morning and increase during the afternoon.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe islands are only accessible by boat. Island Packers is the official park concessionaire and provides boat access to all islands. Visits by private boat are also possible, following the instructions from the National Park Service. The boat rides are beautiful with opportunities to spot wildlife if you're lucky: whales, sea lions, multiple species of dolphins, flying fish, and seabirds. Sit on the top level of the boat for the best views, or on the bottom near the stern (back) if you're prone to seasickness. The boat trip on Island Packers from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Bay at Santa Cruz Island takes a little over an hour, and can be rough. The trip to Santa Rosa Island is more like three hours and can be rougher. Bring warm (and preferably waterproof) outerwear even in the summer; expect to get some ocean spray, and you may get wet. If the seas are too high, the concessionaire may cancel the trips for that day....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
On the islands there is no transportation besides your own two feet or a kayak. No bikes and no cars. Kayaks can be brought with you or rented with some extra planning. The park consists of five of the eight Channel Islands, and all waters within one nautical mile (1.8 km) from land. San Miguel is the westernmost island, and as a result receives the brunt of the northwesterly winds, fog, and severe weather from the open ocean. The cold, nutrient-rich water surrounding the 9,491-acre, eight-mile-long and four-mile-wide island is home for a diversity of sea life, including 100,000 northern elephant seals, California sea lions, northern fur seals and harbor seals that breed at varying times throughout the year on Point Bennett (30,000 may be on the beach at any particular time). Submerged rocks make the nearly 28-mile coastline a mariner's nightmare.
Where to Stay
A lot of visitors come on day trips for hiking, kayaking, or beachgoing. If you want to sleep on the islands, there's no lodging, only camping. Advanced camping reservations are required for all of the park's campgrounds; reservations can be made by calling ☏ +1-877-444-6777 or online. Campsites are generally located close to one another and if the campground is filled to capacity conditions may be crowded. No trash service is provided and all campers must pack out their own trash. Be prepared to carry your camping gear from the landing areas to the campgrounds. Due to the weather variation which can occur in the Park, visitors to the islands should dress in layers, with short and long pants, fleece jacket or sweatshirt, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, and waterproof outer clothing. Reapply sunscreen frequently as the islands are very exposed. In addition, visitors should wear sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles. There are no supplies on the islands.
Money & Budget
Souvenirs and a few last-minute supplies are for sale at the ferry office in Ventura. Limited supplies are also sold near Scorpion Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. There is no food sold on the islands, so pack all you need to eat and plan to pack out all your trash. On the ferry, limited food options are available in the galley. Bring plenty of water. Potable water is available from only two places, Scorpion Canyon campground on Santa Cruz Island and Water Canyon campground on Santa Rosa Island, and is not available on San Miguel, Santa Barbara, or Anacapa. (Indeed, the reason Anacapa has no island foxes is because there's not even a reliable natural source of fresh water there.) A lot of visitors come on day trips for hiking, kayaking, or beachgoing.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Due to the weather variation which can occur in the Park, visitors to the islands should dress in layers, with short and long pants, fleece jacket or sweatshirt, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, and waterproof outer clothing. Reapply sunscreen frequently as the islands are very exposed. In addition, visitors should wear sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles. There are no supplies on the islands. Take water, food, and other necessities. Watch your step — ladders, railings, and stairs may be wet. Stay back from cliff edges; they may be crumbly or undercut—a fall could be fatal. In this remote location, help may be hours away. Do not approach marine mammals, such as whales, seals, and seal lions. Check for ticks and watch out for poison oak and cactus. Deer mice on the islands may carry diseases, including deadly hantavirus. Avoid all contact with mice and other wild animals and their droppings or dens. Keep food in rodent-proof containers.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Channel Islands National Park
brown rock formation on sea during daytime
Beautiful view of boats, the sea and rocks while hiking the Channel Islands off the coast of Ventura, CA.
aerial photography of sea and mountain
Here is a photo of some sea lions in Southern California. Note the Blonde one. Which is probably a female and are rare to see in this area
Sunset at the Channel Islands.
Sunset over low-lying fog on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park, California.
A body of water filled with lots of plants
A sailboat is out on the water near some rocks
brown rock formation on sea during daytime
Beautiful view of boats, the sea and rocks while hiking the Channel Islands off the coast of Ventura, CA.
aerial photography of sea and mountain
Here is a photo of some sea lions in Southern California. Note the Blonde one. Which is probably a female and are rare to see in this area
Sunset at the Channel Islands.