Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [343]
Most visitors come to the park from June through August; however, the prettiest times to visit are during the spring wildflower season (April and May) and in September and October, when the fog clears. If you have any budding botanists or biologists in your brood – or kids who love the outdoors – the Channel Islands are a great family getaway. The boat trip can be a bit rough, but it’s relatively short and Island Packers boats (below) brake for leaping dolphins and breaching whales – always a nice distraction.
Tours
Island Packers ( 805-642-1393; www.islandpackers.com; 1691 Spinnaker Dr), located near the Channel Island National Park Visitor Center ( 805-658-5730; 1901 Spinnaker Dr; 8:30am-5pm), leads trips year-round and offers packages to all the islands; from December to March it operates terrific one-day whale-watching excursions. Rates start at $42 per adult and $25 per child for the East Anacapa trip; going to the other islands costs more and campers pay extra for their gear. Staff provide excellent interpretations of the history and ecology of the islands. Ask about guided hikes.
Take note, seas can feel choppy to some landlubbers. To avoid seasickness, sit outside on the second level – not too close to the diesel fumes in back. The ride to the island is typically against the wind and a bit bumpier than the return. Staring at the horizon is a myth but ginger chews may help some people.
Truth Aquatics (Map; 805-962-1127; www.truthaquatics.com; 301 Cabrillo Blvd), the park’s Santa Barbara–based concessionaire, leads comparable excursions, also with excellent interpretation.
Most trips require a minimum number of participants, and may be canceled due to surf and weather conditions. If you camp overnight and the seas are rough the next day, you could get stuck. In short, landing is never guaranteed. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and in summer.
Island Packers offers whale-watching tours starting at $27 ($18 for kids) for a 3½-hour trip to watch gray whales.
For diving trips from Ventura, Raptor Dive Charters ( 805-650-7700; www.raptordive.com; 1559 Spinnaker Dr) runs trips to Anacapa Island starting at $100. Equipment rentals available.
If kayaking is on your agenda, Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara ( 805-899-4925, 888-254-2094; www.kayaksb.com; 117b Harbor Way, Santa Barbara) offers trips from Ventura, through Island Packers, to Anacapa and Santa Cruz, starting at $180. Kayaks, paddles, wet suits and life vests are included, as is van transportation from Santa Barbara. Also try Aquasports ( 805-968-7231, 800-773-2309; www.islandkayaking.com; 111 Verona Ave, Goleta) and Channel Islands Kayak Center ( 805-644-9699; www.cikayak.com; 1691 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura).
Sleeping
All of the islands have primitive campgrounds ( reservations 800-365-2267; www.nps.gov; campsites $15), which are open year-round. Each has pit toilets and picnic tables, but you must pack everything in and out, including trash. Water is only available on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands. Due to fire danger, campfires aren’t allowed, but you can use a camp stove. Be prepared to trek up to 1.5 miles to the campground from the landing areas.
The campground on Santa Barbara is large, grassy and surrounded by hiking trails; the one on Anacapa is high, rocky and isolated. Camping on San Miguel, with its unceasing wind, fog and volatile weather, is not for the faint of heart. Santa Rosa’s campground has wonderful views of Santa Cruz. It’s situated in a eucalyptus grove in a canyon (it can get very windy). Del Norte, a backcountry campground on Santa Cruz, lies in a shaded oak grove, 3.5 miles from the landing.
Getting There & Away
Access to the Channel Islands is via Ventura or Santa Barbara. See opposite for information on boat travel to the islands