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. Just getting to the national park is a scenic experience-one to three hours by boat, or about half an hour by plane. Whether you have half a day or more than a week to experience Channel Islands National Park, here are some of the best ways to explore the islands-by kayak, yacht, or just by foot. 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. It’s close to Scorpion Bay, a great put-in site for kayakers who want to explore this island’s remarkable cave-riddled shoreline. For an unforgettable experience, consider staying overnight at Scorpion Canyon Campground, with 25 sites shaded by eucalyptus. While you’re hiking, keep an eye out for the Santa Cruz Island scrub jay, a bright blue bird that lives on this island and nowhere else in the world. For an excellent 7-mile/11.3-km hike, set off for the cobble- and driftwood-covered beach at Smuggler’s Cove. Look for sea lions frolicking in the kelp forests below. A 4.6-mile/7.4-km round-trip takes you to an overlook above Potato Harbor, a potato-shape cove edged by rugged cliffs. "Trails take you to windy bluffs, wide vistas, and secret coves."įrom Scorpion Canyon Campground, walk the rewarding 1.2-mile/1.9-km round-trip to Cavern Point, a high promontory where you can scan the sea for passing whales. Trails take you to windy bluffs, wide vistas, and secret coves.
The boat ride to the island is a quick a beautiful 1-hour cruise across turquoise sea-so you can get there and back and have plenty of time on the island all in one day. But since Santa Cruz is the largest of all the Channel Islands, measuring 96 square miles/248 square km and 20 miles/32 kms long, that park-protected 25 percent covers a whole lot of territory. Only one-quarter of Santa Cruz Island is national park land the rest belongs to the Nature Conservancy.
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