Information About The Central Coast
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.
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, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. 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.
Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the blue whale, the largest animal to live on Earth. Archeological and cultural resources span a period of more than 13,000 years of human habitation.
Things to do
Visitor Center
The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park in Ventura features a bookstore, exhibits, native plant garden, and park movie. The fully accessible visitor center is open 8:30 am until 5:00 pm daily; closed on Thanksgiving and December 25th.
Channel Islands Live
If you can't visit the islands, then take a virtual visit to the Channel Islands through live, interactive broadcasts and webcams (including the popular Bald Eagle Webcam) that highlight the remarkable natural and cultural resources of the islands and their surrounding waters.
Inspiration Point, Anacapa Island
Even on a foggy day, this is one of the best views in the park...and appropriately named. Island Packers runs full-day and half-day trips to Anacapa Island throughout the year.
Snorking | Diving | Kayaking
After an island hike, there is no better way to cool off then to snorkel, dive, or kayak in the Landing Cove on Anacapa Island or at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. The water can be clear and calm anytime of year, but don't forget your wetsuit.
Cavern Point, Santa Cruz Island
A hike to Cavern Point not only rewards you with great views, but on the way you can stop off at the visitor center in the historic ranch house and then end your trip with a snorkel in Scorpion Anchorage. Island Packers runs full-day and half-day trips to Santa Cruz Island throughout the year.
Camping, Santa Cruz Island
Although all the islands have great campgrounds, Scorpion Ranch Campground on Santa Cruz Island is the most convenient and provides the most recreational opportunities-from hiking to snorkeling to kayaking to guided interpretive programs.
Torrey Pines, Santa Rosa Island
It's a little harder to get to but well worth the effort. See one of the rarest trees in the world while admiring the view of Bechers Bay. Channel Islands Aviation flies year round to Santa Rosa Island. Island Packers runs trips spring through fall.
Point Bennett, San Miguel Island
Definitely hard to get to (4-hour boat ride- summer through fall only; 16-mile round-trip hike) but you will not be disappointed. Here you can view one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the world with over 30,000 seals and sea lions and up to five different species.
Whale Watching
Over 30 different marine mammal species call the Santa Barbara Channel home, including gray whales, elephant seals, common dolphins, and California sea lions. While some species can be viewed from a distance on the island, Island Packers offers trips year round that allow for closer viewing.
