This Ocean-Protected Paradise Hosts 2,000 Species and Can Only Be Reached By Boat or Small Plane

Channel Islands National Park, California

Five tiny islands off California’s coast hold some of the rarest plants and animals in North America. From blue whales to island foxes found nowhere else on Earth, Channel Islands National Park is like a mini Galapagos right here in the USA.

Here are some of the best things to do in this gorgeous corner of California.

Walk Beaches That are Untouched By Development

The 175 miles of Channel Islands shoreline look virtually identical to what Chumash people experienced thousands of years ago.

Santa Rosa’s Cuyler Harbor is where beachcombers discover shells, driftwood, and ancient artifacts (which must be reported to rangers).

Serious adventurers kayak to the beaches below Potato Harbor that remain inaccessible to hikers, creating private picnic spots for paddlers.

From Anacapa, kayakers access hidden coves near Arch Point and the Sea Lion Rookery that remain invisible from hiking trails.

Hike Through Santa Rosa’s Torrey Pine Forest

Torrey Pines can be found in Santa Rosa Island and San Diego. Twenty-five years ago, only about 100 scraggly survivors clung to existence.

Today, after removing all non-native grazers, over 24,000 trees thrive with hundreds of saplings dotting the northeastern slopes.

Paddle Into Painted Cave’s Massive 160-Foot Entrance

Painted Cave is a monster that stretches 1,227 feet into Santa Cruz Island, with an entrance so massive (160 feet tall) that tour boats drive inside it.

Locals spot it by looking for the weird ‘bullet hole’ formation in the cliff face. You’ll paddle through narrow gaps where light makes the water glow blue.

Channel Islands Adventure Company runs three killer kayak tours from Scorpion Anchorage, but their $265 Ultimate Tour is your best bet.

Dive Through Rows of Kelp Forests During Fall

Fall diving in the Channel Islands means plenty of kelp forests that hit an insane 100 feet, towering like underwater redwoods.

Half the park’s 249,354 acres sit underwater, protected by a marine sanctuary that extends six nautical miles from shore.

Beginners should hit Scorpion Anchorage for guided snorkel tours in summer when water temps won’t shock your system.

Hardcore divers should make the overnight boat trip to tiny Santa Barbara Island, where you’ll encounter massive black sea bass and playful sea lions.

Visit Anacapa Island For Amazing Coastal Views

The legendary Inspiration Point view requires some work, specifically, hauling yourself up 157 stairs from the landing pier.

Real maritime nerds will love the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Reference Mark at the summit and those patches of prickly pear cacti.

Sharp eyes might spot natural oil seepage in the channel below, the same stuff Chumash people harvested for centuries to waterproof their canoes.

Witness the Wildlife That Stems Point Bennett

Point Bennett is ideal for pupping. Over 100,000 of these seals bark, fight, and mate pinnipeds on San Miguel’s beaches.

The Santa Barbara Channel hosts 27 different cetacean species, including resident dolphin pods that’ll race alongside your ferry crossing.

From May to September, blue, fin, and sei whales steal the show, drawn by the krill-packed, upwelling-rich waters.

Spot The Electric-Blue Island Scrub-Jay

The island scrub-jay rocks a blue so vibrant it looks photoshopped and has the smallest range of any bird in North America.

Unlike most island species, they’ve grown bigger and bolder than their mainland cousins, with sharp minds that helped them thrive.

These feathered geniuses show remarkable problem-solving skills and memory capacity, stashing food in dozens of locations.

Spot Island Foxes That Almost Went Extinct In The 90s

These cat-sized canines (seriously, just four pounds) exist nowhere else and nearly disappeared when golden eagles started snacking on them.

Conservation teams removed both eagles and feral pigs in the early 2000s, and now these tiny predators rule their island domains again.

They’re so comfortable around humans that rangers had to create special ‘fox boxes’ to keep your lunch boxes safe in the daylight.

Track Down Nocturnal Island Spotted Skunks

The islands host the bizarre Island Spotted skunk with its distinct broken white lines, found exclusively on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa.

Based on research, they probably colonized the Channel Islands over 9,000 years ago, when the sea level was lower than it is today. 

They’re a rare carnivore, with fewer than 1,000 believed to exist in the wild.

Photograph 150 Plant Species That Exist Nowhere Else

You’ll discover that Santa Cruz Island alone packs over 600 plant species into ten distinct communities, from coastal marshes to pine forests.

Spring transforms coastal bluffs when giant coreopsis erupts with bright yellow sunflower-like blooms atop Dr. Seuss-like stalks.

The rare Brandegee’s Sage shows off spectacular blooms, while the Indian Paintbrush displays unique adaptations in its isolation.

Explore Justinian Caire’s 1887 Ranch Buildings

French businessman Justinian Caire constructed the Scorpion Ranch in 1887, which today has become a national park visitor center.

The half-mile ranch loop trail reveals how early settlers managed to raise livestock with rusty farming implements displayed outside.

Inside the refurbished adobe and bunkhouse, exhibits detail both the brutal ranching past and the island’s Native American heritage.

Catch one of the summer campfire programs where Chumash elders share their creation story (a tradition that dates back more than 13,000 years.

Relax at a Eucalyptus-Shaded Campground

The Upper Scorpion campground on Santa Cruz Island preserves ancient eucalyptus trees which provide ample shade whilst you set up.

Come sunset, Potato Harbor Overlook delivers a light show that photographers travel thousands of miles to capture.

Pack everything you’ll need, the islands have zero amenities beyond basic pit toilets and limited water spigots at Scorpion Anchorage.

Year-round camping is available on all five islands, but reservations disappear faster than free beer at a college party.

Access Remote Coves Through Santa Barbara Harbor

Island Packers runs the standard ferry service from Ventura Harbor.

Serious explorers can book private charters through Santa Barbara Sailing Center or Channel Islands Expeditions for custom multi-day adventures.

Charter captains know exactly where the channel plunges to depths exceeding 1,000 feet, creating nutrient upwellings that attract marine life (like feeding whales).

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