Even though Channel Islands National Park is just about 30 miles away from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (with an estimated 17+ million people!), it remains as being one of the lesser visited National Parks in the United States, ranking at #43 out of 60 parks in attendance. However, if you consider only the people that make it to one of the islands (rather than just the visitor center), it would rank in the bottom 10 in attendance!
Considering many Californians have a desire to just “get away from it all” (even if it means leaving the convenience of sushi and Starbucks for a few hours) it’s amazing how few people make the journey to this incredible oasis of pristine landscape and wildlife.
For those that want to go, figuring our transportation to Channel Islands National Park can seem like a mystery. This is exactly why we wanted to put together this guide on how to travel to Channel Islands National Park!
There are five islands that can be visited: Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island and Santa Barbara Island, which sits all alone, away from the other four. The islands range from Santa Cruz (which is 24 miles long) to the tiny Santa Barbara Island, which is only 1.5 miles in length.
All five offer something special and are worth visiting. While some are less visited than others, all will allow you to get away from civilization and enjoy California in a way that isn’t possible anywhere else in the state.
Please note: Just Go Travel Studios is not affiliated with any transportation services to or from Channel Islands National Park-this information is provided to aid you with planning an amazing trip!
Santa Cruz Island Map, courtesy of the National Park Service
Santa Cruz Island is approximately 20 miles from Ventura, and the most popular island to visit (due to its proximity to the mainland, size and facilities (which are limited!). Our family visited the island in the late winter and loved it-you can read about our adventures in our blog, A Day Trip to Santa Cruz Island. There are several ways to get here:
- Island Packers Cruises to Santa Cruz Island: There are two landing areas for Island Packers Cruises on the island: Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Both are available if you want to head over just for the day, or if you want to be dropped off for a single or multi-day camping trip. Cruises to Santa Cruz Island depart from Ventura, but make sure you check your reservations ahead of your trip as going to the wrong location isn’t an easy thing to recover from. The boat ride to Santa Cruz takes about one-hour total, depending on how much wildlife is encountered along the way (which is especially common in the winter and summer).
- Private Watercraft: Traveling to Santa Cruz Island is allowed in a private watercraft, and no permit is needed on National Park land. However, about 76% of the island is owned by The Nature Conservancy. If you’d like to take a day trip and make a landing in land owned by the Nature Conservancy, you must apply for a permit. You should allow at least 15 days for approval. Note that there is no camping allowed in Nature Conservancy land.
What to do, the best hikes, what to do in the area and what to pack for your trip to Channel Islands are covered in our detailed, downloadable itinerary for Channel Islands National Park.
Anacapa Island Map, courtesy of the National Park Service
Anacapa Island is just 12 miles from Ventura. There are two main ways to get to Anacapa:
- Island Packers Cruises to Anacapa Island: There is only one landing area on Anacapa Island, which is the East-End Landing Cove. Cruises are available for both day-trips and camping trips. Anacapa Island cruises depart from both Oxnard and Ventura, so definitely be sure to check your reservations! Expect to be on the boat for just around an hour.
- Private Watercraft: Traveling to Anacapa Island is allowed in a private watercraft, and no permit is required.
Santa Rosa Island Map, courtesy of the National Park Service
The second largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Rosa Island is 40 miles from Ventura, but only six miles away from Santa Cruz Island. There are three ways of getting to Santa Rosa Island:
- Island Packers Cruises to Santa Rosa Island: Bechers Bay is the only landing area on Sana Rosa Island, which is on the northeast side of the island, which is the second largest of the Channel Islands. Cruises are available for both day-trips and camping trips, but be advised that trips to and from the island only happen about every other day during peak times, and 2 days a week during the slower months. No cruises are available between mid-November and March. Santa Rosa Cruises depart from Ventura. Expect to be on the boat for about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Private Watercraft: Traveling to Santa Rosa Island is authorized in a private boat without any need for a permit.
HOW TO GET TO SAN MIGUEL ISLAND
Santa Cruz Island Map, courtesy of the National Park Service
Located about 70 miles from Ventura, the westernmost island in the chain has been worn down from weather more than any other island. There are two ways of traveling to San Miguel Island:
- Island Packers Cruises to San Miguel Island: The only landing area on San Miguel Island is Cuyler Harbor, which is accessed by an inflatable boat from the ferry. Day-trip and multi-day camping trip cruises are available during the summer months (April through the first part of November). San Miguel Island Cruises depart from Ventura. Expect to be on the boat for about 4 hours on your way to the island. This means that if you really want to see the island, you’ll have to participate in camping.
- Private Watercraft: Traveling to San Miguel Island is authorized in a private boat without any need for a permit. However, to see the inner part of the island, you need to be accompanied by a National Park employee or a member of the Island Packers team.
HOW TO GET TO SANTA BARBARA ISLAND
Santa Cruz Island Map, courtesy of the National Park Service
Located 54 miles from Ventura, this is the smallest of the islands. Unfortunately, it will be a challenge to get here, as the landing area on Santa Barbara Island was damaged during winter storms in 2015 and 2016 and rendered it useless as of this writing. Trips from Island Packers are not available at present time, leaving only one option-taking your own private watercraft. Once you arrive, you’ll have to navigate the rocky coastline and land your boat near the damaged dock.
PRIVATE AIRCRAFT
Private aircraft are not allowed to land on or near any of the Channel Islands.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- We cover what to do in a day trip to Santa Cruz Island in our blog. If nothing else, check it out for the photos. You won’t believe this is so close to Los Angeles!
- Check out our downloadable itinerary for Channel Islands National Park, which covers what to do on Santa Cruz Island in one day.
- Our hike on Santa Cruz Island made it to our list of the best family friendly hikes in U.S. National Parks.
- Once you return from your trip, you are guaranteed to have great photos. Let us work with you to turn it in to one of our unique, custom, vintage-style travel posters. We promise that you’ll love it!
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION ON CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
- Channel Islands National Park is known for its great diving. For more information, be sure to check out Channel Islands Dive Adventures, their tips on diving in the area and the services they offer!
- Of course, you need to check out the great site that the NPS has for Channel Islands National Park. In particular, make sure you review the info they have on the flora and fauna that is unique to each island.
- If you are planning on boating or kayaking, besure sure to check out the tidal charts and weather near Ventura from US Harbors.
