The Channel Islands consist of five islands off the coast of southern California, near Los Angeles (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara).

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five extraordinary islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has resulted in unique animals, plants, and archaeological resources found nowhere else on the planet, as well as the preservation of a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

The islands have significant natural and cultural resources, which has resulted in several designations. In 1938, the islands of Anacapa and Santa Barbara were designated as national monuments.

In 1976, UNESCO designated all eight islands as biosphere reserves. On March 5, 1980, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa became constituents of the new national park.

The park’s islands stretch along the Southern California coast from Point Conception near Santa Barbara to San Pedro, a Los Angeles neighborhood. Ventura is home to the park’s headquarters and the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center.

Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands provides a one-of-a-kind experience for ocean, land, and history enthusiasts.

The park as a whole covers 249,354 acres, half of which are underwater, and is home to a diverse range of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural resources. The park offers visitors truly unique opportunities to experience California’s natural beauty beneath the sea.

From stunning beaches to unparalleled diving experiences to boating between the islands, seafaring enthusiasts will find almost anything nautical to enjoy here. Land lovers will find spectacular hiking opportunities on all five islands, as well as one established campground on each. History buffs will enjoy learning about the park’s nearly 13,000 years of human history.

The purpose of Channel Islands National Park is to protect and connect the public to the Channel Islands’ nationally significant natural, scenic, wildlife, marine, ecological, historical, archaeological, cultural, and scientific values.

How to reach the Channel Islands?

Channel Islands Harbor, with the shortest direct route between the mainland and the islands, is the gateway to Channel Islands National Park, also known as “the Galapagos of North America.” Take a voyage to discover the magic, diversity, and wonder of the natural ocean environment.

You’ll need to take a boat or a plane to get to the islands. To get to the islands, take a boat with the exclusive concessionaire Island Packers. Trip times and frequency vary, so plan ahead of time.

For example, you can visit Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands all year, but the other three islands are more infrequent and seasonal.

Boats depart from Channel Islands Harbor, with travel times ranging from one to three hours. Visit the Channel Islands National Park website to learn more. If you decide to fly, get in touch with Channel Islands Aviation.

Things to do

Channel Islands National Park, also known as the American Galapagos, has islands that are both beautiful and wild.

Hiking

The islands are traversed by numerous trails and roads, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from Anacapa’s maintained, relatively flat, signed trails to Santa Rosa’s unmaintained, rugged, mountainous, unsigned paths.

Guides and topographic maps with descriptions of island trails are available at park visitor centers and island bulletin boards.

Whale Watching

Throughout the year, Island Packers, one of the park concessionaires, offers whale watching. Other whale-watching companies can be found in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Channel Islands Harbors, as well as the Los Angeles area.

Many diverse and beautiful species of cetaceans live in the waters surrounding Channel Islands National Park (whales, dolphins, and porpoises).

One-third of the world’s cetacean species can be found in our backyard, the Santa Barbara Channel.

Gray, blue, humpback, minke, sperm, and pilot whales; orcas; Dall’s porpoise; and Risso’s, Pacific white-sided, common, and bottlenose dolphins are among the 27 species seen in the channel.

Backcountry camping

Del Norte is currently Santa Cruz Island’s only backcountry campground. It is located about 700 feet above sea level in a shaded oak grove and offers scenic views of the island’s pristine coastline. The hike from Prisoners Harbor to the site is 3.5 miles and 12 miles from Scorpion Anchorage.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a unique and rewarding way to experience Channel Islands National Park’s pristine marine environment. You will find solitude as well as splendor.

You will also face new challenges and may come across unexpected dangers here. This section is intended to assist in the planning of a safe, enjoyable, and environmentally responsible kayaking trip in the park.

Bird Watching

Channel Islands National Park is a critical breeding and resting area for a wide range of land birds, shorebirds, and seabirds.

Please click here to download the Channel Islands National Park Bird Checklist.

Diving and snorkeling

The park’s kelp forests, sea caves, and coves await the daring swimmer, snorkeler, and diver. Within the park, you can do some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world.

These activities are best done on the islands of Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and eastern Santa Cruz. Due to the extremely windy conditions on Santa Rosa and San Miguel, these activities should not be attempted by novices or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped on these islands.

Is Channel Islands National Park worth visiting?

Channel Islands National Park is one of the best national parks in California that should be visited. This guide will detail how to visit Channel Islands National Park, what to do there, and more!

What is special about Channel Island National Park?

It’s no surprise that the Channel Islands have earned the moniker “North America’s Galapagos.” A staggering 2,000 plant and animal species thrive within the vast national park, and because isolation led to unique adaptation, 145 of them are found nowhere else on the planet.

How much does it cost to go to the Channel Islands?

There is no entrance fee. You must travel by boat or plane to visit one of the five islands. On the islands, there are no services.

What is the best time of year to visit the Channel Islands?

Many people believe that fall is the best season for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. In early fall, ocean temperatures may reach 70° (F) and visibility may reach 100 feet. Blue and humpback whale watching season ends in early autumn. The fall bird migration has begun.

How many days do you need in Channel Islands National Park?

2-3 days are recommended to get the most out of the park – kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and breathtaking scenery! Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Santa Rosa are the five islands that make up the Channel Islands.