From the 101 Freeway southbound:
- Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
- At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard and follow it approximately 8 miles to Channel Islands Harbor.
- Stay to the right where there is a fork in the road and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left.
- Turn left and park in parking lot for free. ...
How far to Channel Islands, and or Catalina?
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary encompasses the waters six nautical miles (11 kilometres; 6.9 miles) off these islands. Santa Catalina Island is the only one of the eight islands with a significant permanent civilian settlement—the resort city of Avalon, California, and the unincorporated town of Two Harbors.
What is the largest island in the Channel Islands?
The Bailiwick of Jersey comprises the principal island of Jersey along with the uninhabited small island groups of the Les Minquiers, Les Écréhous, Les Dirouilles, Les Pierres de Lecq, and numerous other reefs. Covering a total area of 118.2 km 2, the island of Jersey is the largest, the most populous, and the southernmost of the Channel Islands.
What to do on the Channel Islands?
Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park, CA - Channel Islands National Park Attractions
- Santa Cruz Island. On the Cavern Point trail, I saw wonderful ocean cliffs that looked like Ireland's Cliffs of Moher.
- Anacapa Island. Anacapa Island is located about an hour's boat ride from Oxnard.
- The Sea Caves
- Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. ...
- Santa Rosa Island. ...
- East Anacapa Loop Trail
- San Miguel Island
- Santa Barbara Island. ...
How do you get to Channel Islands national park?
How do you get to the Channel Islands? Just getting to the national park is a scenic experience—one to three hours by boat, or about half an hour by plane. Most boat trips depart from Ventura Harbor (home to the national park's visitors center) via operator Island Packers, and the majority go to the two closest islands, Santa Cruz and Anacapa.
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How much does it cost to get to the Channel Islands?
There is no entrance fee. To visit one of the five islands, you'll have to take a boat or plane.
Are the Channel Islands worth visiting?
One of the best national parks in California worth visiting is Channel Islands National Park. This is a guide to one of the most beautiful places in the state and it will detail how to visit Channel Islands National Park, what to do there, and more!
Where does the ferry to Channel Islands leave from?
Ventura HarborThey offer daily services to Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands. They also have seasonal ferry services to Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara Islands. The ferry trips depart from Ventura Harbor. Depending on your destination, the trips can take one to two hours each way.
How long does it take to get to Channel Islands National Park?
Just getting to the national park is a scenic experience—one to three hours by boat, or about half an hour by plane. Most boat trips depart from Ventura Harbor (home to the national park's visitors center) via operator Island Packers, and the majority go to the two closest islands, Santa Cruz and Anacapa.
Which is the prettiest Channel Island?
Santa Barbara Island offers some of the most spectacular vistas of the Channel Islands, and you can experience them while hiking the miles of trails that are available. Visit during wildflower season for incredible displays. Santa Barbara Island is also ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving.
What is the best way to see the Channel Islands?
How do I visit Channel Islands National Park? While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.
Can I take a car to Channel Islands?
While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended. There is no transportation available on the islands.
Can you stay on the Channel Islands?
There are NO services or lodging on the islands. Visitors must bring all their 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).
Can you do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park?
Channel Islands makes for a great day trip destination, but it's also possible to camp on the islands if you wish to stay longer. The park itself is open 24 hours a day year round, but weather and environmental conditions vary depending on the season.
Does anyone live on the Channel Islands?
With a current population nearly 5,000 strong, some Chumash people can trace their ancestors to the five islands of Channel Islands National Park.
Is there a bridge to Channel Islands?
The Rainbow Bridge - Channel Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Can you swim in Channel Islands?
The island is also great for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, but there are no lifeguards. Since Santa Barbara Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock.
When should I go to the Channel Islands?
Many consider the fall as the best time of year for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. Ocean temperatures may reach 70° (F) in early fall and visibility may reach 100 feet. Blue and humpback whale watching comes to an end in early fall. Fall bird migration is underway.
Which is better to visit Guernsey or Jersey?
Jersey is the bigger island, with a wider range of accommodation and attractions, however Guernsey's picturesque capital St Peter's Port is popular with tourists, with the added advantage of visiting nearby islands Sark & Herm.
Is Jersey worth going to?
Get active in Jersey Add stunning beaches and some incredible nature into the mix and Jersey soon becomes a must-see destination for wildlife lovers and those who want to indulge in a spot of climbing, kayaking, swimming, scrambling, coasteering, cycling and tidal wading.
Is Jersey nice for a holiday?
Its diverse attractions and natural beauty offer something for everyone and make Jersey an ideal destination for short breaks, romantic weekends, active experiences, foodie getaways and family summer holidays.
How many steps are there to the top of the island?
Once ashore, visitors must walk uphill 1/4 mile with 131 long steps to the top of the island. Public Boat Transportation. Public boat transportation is available year-round by the park concessionaire Island Packers.
Is there transportation on the islands?
There is no transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak.
Where are the Channel Islands?
Let’s start with a few glorious basics. Channel Islands National Park rests in the Pacific Ocean, just off the Ventura coast, five islands, five stepping stones to another time. They’ve been called the Galapagos of North America. They are one of the nation’s emptiest National Parks. The islands of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa are home to more beauty, more solitude, and more mystery than we can fathom.
How much does it cost to camp on the Channel Islands?
The $15.00 per night-per site fee includes both the National Park Service fee that supports the operation and maintenance of the campgrounds and the reservation fee. Reservations can be made no more than six months in advance. Reservations can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or through Recreation.gov.
How many species of animals are there in the Channel Islands?
They’ve been called the Galapagos of North America, and with good reason; the Channel Islands are home to over 2,000 plant and animal species of which 150 are found nowhere else in the world. A wild and wondrous place where housecat-size foxes — you won’t find the island fox anywhere else in the world — scamper through fields of Seuss-like flowers, and moon and sun shine down on the untamed and the empty. Twenty-three animals and dozens of plants — including a rare and beautiful species of Torrey pine — you won’t find them anywhere else.
Where to hike Channel Islands National Park?
On Santa Cruz Island, fit adventurers tackle the 7.5 mile round-trip hike from Scorpion Beach to Smuggler’s Cove. The easier 2-mile Cavern Point Loop on Santa Cruz offers lovely seascape views. And you’ll get those sweeping views on any of the islands. The islands’ hikes will bewitch you, stun you, and lift your heart. You’ll carry the memory for the rest of your life. Inside tip: stretched out along the vast curve of Becher’s Bay, Water Canyon Beach on Santa Rosa Island might possibly be the loveliest beach you’ve ever seen.
Where do island Packers go?
Every day, year-round, Island Packers boats ferry adventurers to Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, or San Miguel islands. They don’t run trips to all of the islands all of the time, and weather sometimes forces trip cancellations, but you are in no better hands. Island Packers has been going out to the island for over 50 years. The trips vary in length — from a little over an hour to several hours — depending on the island. But no matter which island you choose, the trip out is often an adventure in itself. No telling what you might see; from pods of dolphins — sometimes in the hundreds — to, depending on the time of year, Humpback, Gray, or Blue Whales. You don’t know goosebumps until the largest animal that ever lived surfaces.
Is Channel Islands National Park open?
Channel Islands National Park is open year-round and each season has something special to offer. Summer is the most popular season to visit the islands (school’s out), with perfect weather and Blue and Humpback whale watching opportunities as the leviathans migrate north. Early fall is often the best time for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming with ocean temperatures sometimes rising to 70 degrees and underwater visibility reaching up to 100 feet. Spring offers wildflower magic. The most stunning sunsets of the year? Sooooooooo hard to say. But some experienced island goers say winter.
Where is the Island Packers satellite office?
Click here to map your route. Island Packers also has a satellite office in the Channel Islands Harbor at 3600 S. Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard, California. Oxnard is located 65 miles north of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara.
Where to take a left at the next signal light?
Take a left at the next signal light which is Castillo Street. Follow Castillo until it comes to an end.
Can you bike on the islands?
For maps visit Maps. There is NO transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed by foot, private boat, or kayak. Bicycles are NOT allowed on the islands. For more information on biking on ...
Is the mainland accessible by public transportation?
The mainland visitor centers and park concessionaire offices are all accessbile via public transportation.
How to kayak out on Channel Islands?
Want to kayak out at the Channel Islands? Unless you are very experienced, your best bet is a guided tour . Santa Barbara Adventure Company provides guided kayak tours for every experience level. You’ll need to make reservations in advance, by either calling them (805-884-9283) or booking on their website.
What are the Channel Islands?
The Channel Islands are also the site of the oldest known human remains in North America, and provide the opportunity to experience coastal southern California as it once was. Archaeologists have discovered that dwarf wooly mammoths thrived on the island until the last Ice Age ended 11,000 years ago. The islands are also known for being settled by maritime Paleo Indian peoples at least 13,000 years ago. Many archeological sites on the islands serve as an invaluable record of those times. Archaeologists have discovered approximately 148 historic village sites, including 11 on Santa Cruz Island, eight on Santa Rosa Island, and two on San Miguel Island.
What are the amenities of Channel Islands National Park?
But it is a wild place, and the park has very few amenities (in order to limit human impact). Cell phone reception is spotty (forcing you to, perhaps happily, put the phone away). There is running water available (spigots) on some of the islands; for example at the main campgrounds on Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island. But some islands don’t have running water (Anacapa for instance), and you need to bring your own; whether you’re camping or just visiting for the day. There are outhouses in and near the campgrounds, but not away from them. Very nice rangers are also available to answer questions or assist in case of emergency. Equally nice naturalists from the National Park Service or Island Packers are also commonly available to give guided hikes. But there aren’t any restaurants, nor are there stores selling equipment. You need to bring your own food and your own equipment — unless, for example, you’re signed on for a guided kayak tour. Also important to remember, there are no trash services on the islands; whatever you bring in, you have to bring out. This applies to both day trippers and overnight campers.
How many islands are there in the Channel Islands?
Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary is comprised of five islands strung out in the lovely and marine-rich Santa Barbara Channel. From north to south, the islands are San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. Relatively close to the California mainland — and, in two cases (Santa Cruz and Anacapa), only an hour boat trip from Ventura Harbor, the park’s five islands are the loveliest step back in time; a wondrous world where housecat-size foxes scamper through fields of Seuss-like flowers, and moon and sun shine down on, well, nothing.
Who called the Channel Islands his favorite dive spot?
Jacques Cousteau called the Channel Islands one of his favorite dive spots. ‘Nuff said.
What to see on the Channel Islands?
Paddle a Kayak . Exploring the Channel Islands by kayak is the best way to see the islands’ wealth of sea caves and kelp forests up close.
How many islands are there in Santa Cruz?
Spend a day—or a week—in this idyllic national park off the Central Coast. Removed from Likes. This chain of five islands—Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel—is rich with untouched natural beauty and a California destination worthy of your consideration.
How long does it take to get to the National Park?
Embrace the Journey Itself. Just getting to the national park is a scenic experience—one to three hours by boat, or about half an hour by plane.
Can you stay on Channel Islands for a night?
Stay for Days. There’s nary a hotel on the Channel Islands, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay for a night or longer. Each island has a campground: the biggest are Scorpion Anchorageon Santa Cruz and Water Canyon Camp on Santa Rosa Island.
2 Nights At The River Club in Livingstone, Zambia
For me, the Condor wins hands down. There is no better way to arrive into Guernsey in particular, than pulling up into the picturesque St Peter Port, with the wind in your hair and watching the boat navigate between the narrow harbour walls.
1. Condor Ferries Liberation To Guernsey
IMHO, the Condor Ferries Liberation To Guernsey & Jersey is the best way to travel to the Channel Islands.
Is it worth upgrading to Ocean Plus and Ocean Club on Condor?
The price of a one-way upgrade to Ocean Plus seat from UK to the Channel Islands is currently £9.95 GBP one way. The cost of upgrading to Ocean Club is £29.95 GBP. Without hesitation, I would recommend upgrading to Ocean Plus.
2. Condor Ferries Clipper
The Condor Clipper is a conventional ferry which means it travels across to Guernsey whatever the weather (unlike the Condor Liberation which is faster but does not run in high winds). This well-equipped ship operates daily between Portsmouth and the Islands and has space for 300 passengers and over 100 cars.
3. Flying
Flybe, Easyjet and British Airways all fly directly into Jersey making it easier and cheaper to visit than Guernsey, which is mainly serviced by Flybe and Aurigny.
What to do in the Channel Islands?
Things to do in the Channel Islands. Make the most of your day trips or weekend getaway in the Channel Islands by checking some of these activities off your national park bucket list. From kayaking and boating to snorkeling and surfing, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventure in the Channel Islands. 1.
Where are the Channel Islands located?
The Channel Islands are located between 22 and 75 miles from the shores of California and are surprisingly spread out, stretching from Santa Barbara in the north to Del Mar in the south. The Channel Islands’ northernmost land mass is San Miguel Island, followed by Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands, Anacapa, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, ...
How many islands are there in Channel Islands?
Settled off the California coastline, the Channel Islands’ eight outcroppings offer endless adventures, and it’s hard to believe that this plethora of natural beauty exists merely dozens of miles from the mainland. This top California destination comprises the five islands and surrounding ocean of Channel Island National Park, two military-controlled islands, and the popular Santa Catalina Island. With so many things to do in the Channel Islands and such diverse landscapes to explore, a day trip simply isn’t enough.
What is springtime in the Channel Islands?
Springtime is a photographer’s dream on the Channel Islands. Falcons and gulls are nesting, birds are migrating, fox pups are born, and the wildflowers are in full bloom, brightening up the landscape with vibrant yellows and greens.
What is the Marine Sanctuary in the Channel Islands?
Admire the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. This sanctuary protects 1,470 square miles of the ocean surrounding the national park. It’s home to shipwrecks, endangered species, and sensitive habitats such as kelp forests and gardens of sea coral. 6.
How many acres are there in Channel Islands National Park?
When to Visit Channel Islands National Park. Thanks to the diverse landscapes scattered across the 249,354 acres of Channel Islands National Park, there’s never a bad time to visit.
Where is White's Landing on the island?
About half a mile north of Moonstone Beach, on the other side of a rocky point, lies White’s Landing—a beach regarded by some as the best on the island. 4. Take a hike. Many portions of the islands are rugged and remote, presenting a unique opportunity to trek solo in the untamed wilderness.
How many islands are there in Channel Islands National Park?
However, since the park encompasses five islands and their surrounding one mile of the ocean, the decision of where to go, what to do, and how to do it can be challenging.
How many Channel Islands are there in California?
The park staff and I wish to welcome you to Channel Islands National Park, one of North America's magnificent treasures. Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, the park encompasses five of the eight California Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, ...
How many species are there in the Channel Islands?
The park bridges two biogeographical provinces and in a remarkably small place, harbors the biologic diversity of nearly 2,500 miles of the North American coast. The Channel Islands are home to over 2,000 plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world.
Why were the islands set aside?
The islands were set aside by Congress not only to preserve these resources, but also to provide for your enjoyment. If you visit the park, you will be one of a very select group. Few people actually see this park because it is not easy to get to-you can't drive to the islands.
When was Channel Islands National Park created?
The protection of these fragile island resources was ensured when Congress, in the act that created Channel Islands National Park in 1980, established a long-term ecological monitoring program to gather information on the current health of resources and predict future conditions. This information provides park and natural resource managers with useful products for recreation planning, conservation and restoration programs, and early identification of critical issues.
Is there food on the Channel Islands?
All services ( including food, cell, and emergency services) are extremely limited or non-existent on the islands. As stated above, a visit to the Channel Islands is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance. Advanced planning will ensure a positive and safe experience in the park. Learn more at Good & Services.
