Channel Islands

Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel are a group of five islands that are rich in unspoiled natural beauty. In fact, merely traveling to Channel Islands National Park by boat—which can take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the island—is a beautiful experience (all trips leaves from Ventura County). The greatest way to experience the Islands' abundance of sea caves and kelp forests up close is by kayak, but the area also provides breathtaking walks, camping, and the chance to see 2,000 different species of flora and animals (145 of which are unique to the Islands).

Wide-ranging recreational activities are offered by Channel Islands National Park, which also offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The decision of where to go, what to do, and how to do it can be difficult, though, as the park spans five islands and the ocean that surrounds them by a mile. In order to help you make sense of it all, specific information has been provided in the "Planning Your Visit" section. To begin organizing a fantastic vacation to the park, click on the buttons in the navigation or the ones below.

• Location: Channel Islands