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Jim_Eliason Says: The main visitor's center is at the Ventura harbor. There is a smaller visitor center on Santa Cruz Island
Jim_Eliason Says: The Channel Islands are a prime kayaking spot. Many companies offer tours with equipment provided or you can have a personal kayak brought over for a fee.
DEBBBEDB Says: Orignally we were going to do the guided tour of the sea caves. But since we were flying on a pass and didn't know exactly when we would get in, I hesitated to make a reservation in advance because there were no refunds. By the time I landed in Los Angelos (it took us four...
Basaic Says: Just outside the visitors center is a flight of stairs leading up to an observation tower where you can look out over the harbor and on a clear day, get a view of the islands. There are telescopes there too for a better view.
Basaic Says: Inside the visitors center in Ventura there is a nice little museum with displays about the islands and the plants and animals that live there. There is also a tide pool with living animals, relief maps and photos of the islands, and information on the history of the area.
Basaic Says: Start your visit at the visitors center located in Ventura near the harbor. Here you can visit a small museum and get maps of the park, informative brochures and ask the rangers any questions you may have. There are also visitors centers, on Anacapa and Santa Barbara...
annk Says: The islands are virtually uninhabited except for a few Park Service Rangers and campers (mostly Santa Cruz). For day tripping, bring your own lunch & drinks. There are no concessions on the islands. On the afternoon run back to the mainland, a couple of the Island Packers...
me myself and I... well I had help from sis in law: See these macho guns... those did the cookin'
beaniezotzim Says: AH... cookin' in the great outdoors... no restaurants here unless you count yourself. here is a suggestion and I believe a darn good one... don't plan complicated meals. you have to carry everything in and out of the island, so try to make it as simple as possible...we...
Jim_Eliason Says: A couple of companies offer either ferry service to the Island or day tours of the islands by boat. I sued a company Island packers that operate out of Ventura harbor and offer 2 dailly departures to Santa Cruz Island. Other Island services are less frequent. Dolphins and...
Island Packers: Whale Watching
Basaic Says: Island Packers also offers boat trips December through March to see Pacific Gray Whales and June through September to see Blue Whales and Humpback Whales. The brochure I have did not give prices. Check the website for current prices.
Basaic Says: If you don't have your own boat (I don't) you will need to arrange transportation to the islands. One place to do this is through Island Packers. They offer a variety of excursions to the islands throughout the year. Most of the trips are limited in season, so check when the...
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but on occassion there are rough seas. I've been to Santa Cruz & Anacapa a number of times and have only experienced one rough crossing with waves crashing over the side of the boat.
It is advisable to call the morning of departure in case conditions are too rough and the trip is cancelled. Even when they cancel which is rare, Island Packers will cruise to the islands to pick up campers so they are not stranded.
Updated Oct 25, 2003
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There are many kayaking outfits that offer trips to the islands. Always ask how many kayakers there are per guide. I've seen some very large groups of 20-25. With that many people you cannot go too far especially when everyone must wait for the whole group to to go in and out of sea caves, etc. And also, the group can only go as fast as the slowest kayaker.
Our group was small, just the 3 of us and a guide.
Updated Oct 25, 2003
jdh3334 Says: Backpack. Be prepared to carry your gear up 156 steps from the pier, then walk 1/2 mile to the campsite Layers. Hot during the day, cool and breezy at night. Hat. Wetsuit if you plan to snorkel or go for a swim in the 60+degrees temp. waters surrounding the island. Bring...
annk Says: Weather can be unpredictable so be prepared for cool temperatures, fog, wind, sea spray and an occasional wet landing.Dress in layers, short and long pants, waterproof outer clothing, warm jacket, sturdy hiking shoes. Also bring sunscreen, sunglasses. Definitely take a...
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Painted Cave is in Santa Cruz Island. One of the five islands in Channel Island National Park. Santa Cruz Island has some of the world's largest and deepest sea caves in the world. In the largest, known as Painted Cave because of its colorful rock types, lichens, and algae, the entrance ceiling rises upward to 160 feet. Nearly a quarter mile long and 100 feet wide, with a waterfall over its entrance in the spring. The cave can only be explored with kayaks and dingys. Sealions and seals live in the cave. When you turn on your flashlight, you just might see a pair of eyes staring at you, following by loud barking. Be good to the animals because we are the intruders.
Written Oct 26, 2005
annk Says: Landings on Santa Cruz Island are at 2 locations - Scorpion Harbor (the most frequent & popular) and Prisoners Harbor. Land ownership at Prisoners is divided between the National Park Service and the Nature Conservancy. Entering Nature Conservancy property is by permission...
annk Says: The are a lot of opportunites for leisurely walks up to difficult hikes on the islands. You can venture on your own or join a Ranger guided nature walk/hike.Anacapa -There are 1 1/2 miles of nature trails with spectacular views.Santa Cruz -There is a more extensive trail...
Basaic Says: Channel Islands National Park consists of a visitors center on the mainland in Ventura and 5 islands. Four of the islands: Anacapa; Santa Cruz; Santa Rosa; and San Miguel are situated close together and the fifth; Santa Barbara is off by itself. The visitors center is...
annk Says: Anacapa - The closest of the islands, takes approximately 1 hour to cross the channel. Half (non-landing) and full day trips daily. Anacapa is known for its lighthouse, sea caves & kayaking, scuba diving, & short nature walks.Santa Cruz - The largest of the Channel Islands,...
A gem off the coast of Southern California
The Channel Islands National Park consist of 5 islands off the coast of southern California, closest mainland cities are Ventura & Oxnard. Except for diving and boat enthusiasts, the islands are...
Basaic Channel Islands National Park Page
Channel Islands National Park consists of a visitors center on the mainland in Ventura and 5 islands. Four of the islands: Anacapa; Santa Cruz; Santa Rosa; and San Miguel are situated close together...
Anacapa consists of three islets known as East, Middle and West Anacapa. It's home to 265 species of plants and a bevy of seabirds -- with the largest brown pelican rookery in the United States. If...
Channel Islands is one of those National parks that not many people wind up going to... If I remember correctly, it is one of the least visited National Parks visited in America. It is Located off the...
Did you know in prehistoric times the Channel Islands were turned 180 degrees? Due to California's sesmic activity the Channel Islands have been slowly rotating out in the Snata Barbara channel.
Build your own Channel Islands National Park page
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