United States California Ventura

Channel Islands National Park

A national park off the California coast comprising five rugged isles with unique wildlife, dive sites, and hiking trails.

Tips from the community

This marine sanctuary is made up of five islands along the Santa Barbara Channel. Though the park is just a short trip from LA, it’s accessible only by Island Packer boats and planes, making it a quiet oasis from which wildflower enthusiasts and hikers can relax on white sand beaches, camp in the backcountry, and explore the estimated 148 archaeological village sites left by Paleo Indian people and dwarf wooly mammoths 13,000 years ago. Thrill seekers can also snorkel and dive between crystal-clear underwater arches or try their hand at sea cave kayaking (yes, sea cave kayaking).  Though the islands are last on this list, they’re certainly not the least. From any point and any activity, Channel Islands National Park offers 360-degree views of the ocean beyond hilly meadows, as well as opportunities to see the blue whales, the world’s largest animals, and around 30 other marine mammal species. 

savannah.whitmer 4 years ago

Take five islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel. Add 145 endemic species of animal, circling blue whales, myriad dolphins, underwater forests of sea fans and kelp, white-tinged beaches, and hills of sand dunes speckled with rushrose and oak. Viola – that’s the amazing Channel Islands National Park. Access is solely by boat from the classic North American surf town of Ventura on the California mainland. 

jrfrancis 4 years ago

Strung like a series of pearls out from the California coast into the Pacific, Channel Islands National Park is a remote sanctuary for all sorts of marine creatures, especially whales and sea lions. On land, you get unique island oak specimens and the lovely island fox.

jrfrancis 3 years ago

Channel Islands National Park Guides

Channel Islands National Park Articles

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