Southern California’s 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. Visitors take shuttle boats, private boats, and planes to reach the islands. Popular activities include hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, camping, and kayaking.
The five islands include Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Babara. Anacapa Island has trails to a 1932 lighthouse and clifftop Inspiration Point. Santa Cruz Island’s many sea caves include the vast Painted Cave. Santa Rosa Island features rare Torrey pines. Thousands of seals gather at San Miguel Island’s Point Bennett. Southernmost Santa Barbara Island draws nesting seabirds. All eight islands in the area became a biosphere reserve under UNESCO in 1976.
Visitor’s Center Address: 1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, California 93001
Coordinates: 34.246680, -119.266530
Website: https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm
