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Channel Islands National Park
Elephant seal pups on Santa Barbara Island within Channel Island National Park. Image courtesy National Park Service/Dan Richards.
Associate Pages
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Visitor Statistics
262,581 visitors
Channel Islands National Park
#171 Most Visited National Park Unit
Source: NPS, Rank among 398 National Park Units 2024.
Park Size
79,019 Acres Federal, and 249,561 Acres Total
Park Fees
Visitor Centers, Mainland in Ventura and Santa Barbara, and Islands - Free
Access to the islands is only available, however, through private boating or Concessionaire sea or air transportation. There is no transportation on the islands.
Boat Day Trip (Adult) - $59-$105 (depending on the island)
Boat Day Trip (Child 3-12) - $41-$84 (depending on the island).
Air Trip - $1,200.
Fees subject to change without notice. Additional fee for overnight camping. Other specific tours are available for various amounts.
Weather
The weather of the Channel Islands is pleasant almost all year round, with highs in the 60's and lows in the 50's, but changeable depending on the Pacific Ocean weather pattern. Stay tuned to the local weather forecasts to stay safe and enjoy your visit.
Photo above: Anacapa Light Station, Historic American Buildings Survey. Courtesy Library of Congress. Right: Santa Cruz Island, 2013, Carol M. Highsmith. Courtesy Library of Congress.
Channel Islands National Park
It's difficult to access and spectacular to view. Just ask Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was the first European explorer to set foot on the islands on October 14, 1542 after stopping in San Diego, sailing all the way from Mexico for Spain. Okay, today it's not that hard. However, most people who visit among the over three hundred thousand tourists gaze at the exhibits at the Visitor Centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara without taking a usual boat, and occasional plane, to see the wildlife and awesome vistas of five of the eight Channel Islands that make up the park. Thirty to seventy thousand actually make the trek to sea based land or the waters around them. Some actually camp there. Now talk about cool.
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Channel Islands Then
How far back was then at the Channel Islands? Well, human elements have been uncovered that date back to 37,000 BC, and yes, there was a mammoth bone here, too. Pretty far back, right. Well, for most, they think of the founding as 1542 when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo observed the eight islands, home to three to five thousand Chumash at the time in twenty-one villages on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel. The Tongva people were associated with Santa Barbara Island. In 1793, European interest in the islands was established after the voyage of George Vancouver, an Englishman, who standardized their names. By 1820, the native population had moved from the islands to the mainland.
Between those first days of European discovery and habitation, the islands have been home to shipwrecks, farms, military use, and more. Sheep ranching was established on Anacapa Island in 1885, and the lighthouse was built in 1932, predated by a tower light in 1911. Shipwrecks had occured throughout the history of the Santa Barbara Channel, including the passenger steamship Winfield Scott on December 2, 1853, just one of thirty-three that wrecked in the last half of the 19th Century in the channel. The wreck of the Winfield Scott is still submerged in Channel Islands waters. Santa Cruz Island was noted for ranching, and after the start of World War II, as an early warning communication station, which remains to this day. In 1938, Santa Barbara Island and Anacapa Island were made a national monument. That was upgraded and expanded to the five included islands today on March 5, 1980 as a national park, prompted in part by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, which affected the islands, avian, and sea life.
Photo above: Steamer Winfield Scott, which sank off the north shore of Middle Anacapa in 1853. Courtesy National Park Service. Below: Santa Rosa Island, 2013, Carol M. Highsmith. Courtesy Library of Congress.
Channel Islands Now
There are still eight islands within the Channel Islands chain, including the more well known and visited Santa Catalina with its nightlife, Avalon town resort, Catalina Casino, and four thousand residents, however, today's Channel Islands National Park just includes five of them; Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa.
Today, the five islands are a resort for wildlife and thousands of tourists attracted by the beauty, whale watching, and recreation pursuits. The islands are remarkably pristine and raw, particularly when you consider their other purposes since 1542, or 1793, or 1885. They are difficult to get to, and expensive to get to, but worth it to get to for most who do, whether they are hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, or learning about those whales or other history.
T-Shirts and Souvenirs
Channel Islands National Park T-Shirts and Souvenirs from the official merchandise of America's Best History. Great for your next Pacific Coast adventure or to remember one you've already had.
Channel Islands National Park
Things You Should Not Miss
1. For those coming to Channel Islands National Park for the first time, a stop at the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor is a must. Take in the 25 minute film, "Treasure in the Sea," and ask about the twice daily ranger programs on weekends. For many, this will be the extent of their visit; for others, lucky you.
2. Making it to one of the islands by boat, take advantage of the trip. Although your destination is what you came for, a boat ride around the Channel Islands from the hubbub of Southern California is a great respite.
3. Guided hikes by national park service staff or volunteers can get you to some really interesting places on each of the islands. Ask what is available for the day of your travel.
4. Of course, get on the water. You'll almost have to for transportation, but if you like to snorkel, kayak, swim, or even fish, ask about those opportunities. The even fish part is a bit challenging as much of the park is off limits due to many acres of Water Preserve. Ask where you are allowed.
Photo above: Trail from the campsite on San Miguel to Cuyler Harbor, Toddclark. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
Visitor FAQ
What's There Now
Channel Islands National Park
Mainland Visitor Centers
Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center (Ventura Harbor) - Full service visitor center to Channel Islands National Park with exhibits on marine life and the various islands, a 25 minute film, and park orientation. It is open all year, except some major holidays.
Santa Barbara Outdoors Visitor Center (Santa Barbara Harbor) - Offers information about Channel Islands National Park, as well as other Santa Barbara attractions. Open year round, but not Wednesdays or major holidays.
On the Islands
Anacapa Island Visitor Center - Exhibits in a historic Coast Guard building, with interpretive hikes available some days. Primitive camping allowed for an additional fee (pit toilet, no water on the entire island). Two mile hiking trail on East Anacapa with Anacapa Light Station as part of your journey.
Scorpion Ranch House, Santa Cruz Visitor Center - Orientation and exhibits, plus interpretive hikes available some days. Concessionaires also provide sea kayak and snorkeling adventures. Campsite and primitive camping available. Campsite includes pit toilets and water.
Santa Rosa Island does not have a visitor center, although amenities are available at the Water Canyon Campground and the ranch area. Guided hikes some days.
Photo above: Anacapa Visitor Center. Source: National Park Service.
San Miguel Island has no visitor center and can only be visited by permit. Hikers must stay on provided trails as the island was a former bombing range and may include unexploded ordinances on other ground. Be careful here to stay safe. It's also windy. Campsite available. Guided hikes on some days. There is a ranger station.
Santa Barbara Visitor Center - Orientation and exhibits. Guided hikes some days. Five miles of trails, no off trail hiking allowed. Camping allowed (pit toilets, no water).
Directions to the Park
The mainland visitor center, Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, is located at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001. It is approximately seventy miles north of Los Angeles and thirty miles south of Santa Barbara. The Visitor Center is located in Ventura Harbor. Island Packer, the boat transportation service to the island themselves is located at 1691 Spinnaker Dr. not far from the Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor.
Photo above: Kayaks on Water Canyon Beach. Courtesy National Park Service.
Lodging and Camping
Channel Islands National Park has no food or lodging on any kind on the islands. There is limited water available on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. Some of the concessionaire boats have limited food and drinks, but for the most part, you must bring your own food and water.
Camping is available on all five islands, both campsite and primitive. All sites must by reserved in advance, and there is a fee for camping, as well as an extra fee for campers with their gear on the boats. Once on the islands, you must carry your own gear to the campsite from the landing areas. There are a total of 72 sites in the designated campgrounds.
There are plenty of restaurants, motels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites in the Ventura and Santa Barbara areas. Check out your favorite online lodging site for the lodging type of your choice.
Photo above: Historic Christy Ranch, built in 1864, on Santa Cruz Island. Image courtesy National Park Service.
Nearby Attractions
California Tourism
Santa Monica Mountains
Cabrillo National Monument