Channel Islands National Park is a beautiful chain of five islands along the Southern California coast. The unspoiled beauty and rugged scenery of this national park to visit in Southern California is absolutely breathtaking. Whether you visit all five of the islands or just one of them, you’re in for a scenic experience. Before you head off on this nature adventure, get to know all five of the islands to see which one you want to visit first.
Channel Islands National Park
flickr/doc searls Just in case you’re wondering what islands are part of Channel Islands National Park, here is a little cheat sheet: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. Pictured here: an aerial view of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands.
Knowing how to get to Channel Islands National Park will be your first adventure.
Island Packers
flickr/daveynin Island Packers offers transportation to and from all of the islands. You can plan a day trip or do an overnight camping adventure. Other than camping, there is no lodging on the islands. There are also no restaurants so you will have to plan meals and water accordingly.
Now let’s take a tour of each of the islands.
flickr/faungg’s photos
- Santa Rosa
flickr/daveynin
tripadvisor/Brian L The second largest of the islands is Santa Rosa. It’s located approximately 26-miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. Hiking and kayaking are common activities on this island.
flickr/daveynin Another visual treat you can experience is this scenic walk along the pier. What an endless view!
- Santa Barbara
flickr/john fellner Located 38-miles from the Los Angeles County coast, Santa Barbara is the smallest of the islands with a total area of approximately one-square mile.
National Park Service Sea lions are a common sighting during visits to the island. Wildflowers are also quite vibrant depending on the time of year you visit.
- San Miguel
flickr/pacific southwest region usfws San Miguel is a designated archaeological district and was placed on the National Register of Historic places.
wikimedia commons San Miguel is unique to the rest of the islands in that it is known for its “diverse array of sea life.” Hiking, camping, and water activities are popular recreational choices for those who visit the island.
- Anacapa
wikimedia commons
flickr/brian hawkins Anacapa is most easily recognized by its three small islets.
Island Packers Of all the islands in Channel Islands National Park, Anacapa is closest to the mainland. Located only 12 miles from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, this is perhaps the easiest of the islands to reach and definitely the quickest with only a one-hour travel time.
- Santa Cruz
wikimedia commons Located off the mainland of Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz is the largest of all the channel islands measuring in at 96-square miles.
flickr/michael field People are drawn to Santa Cruz for its rich wildlife and rare species. Kayaking, whale watching, hiking, and camping can all be enjoyed on this rugged island. Pictured here: black mustard flowers in bloom.
To find out more about Channel Islands National Park, a picture-perfect national park to visit in Southern California, and to plan your visit to the islands, please head to the National Park Service for more details. If you want to experience an island that is a bit more touristy in nature, a day trip to Catalina Island is never a bad idea.
flickr/doc searls
Just in case you’re wondering what islands are part of Channel Islands National Park, here is a little cheat sheet: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. Pictured here: an aerial view of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands.
Island Packers
flickr/daveynin
Island Packers offers transportation to and from all of the islands. You can plan a day trip or do an overnight camping adventure. Other than camping, there is no lodging on the islands. There are also no restaurants so you will have to plan meals and water accordingly.
flickr/faungg’s photos
tripadvisor/Brian L
The second largest of the islands is Santa Rosa. It’s located approximately 26-miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. Hiking and kayaking are common activities on this island.
Another visual treat you can experience is this scenic walk along the pier. What an endless view!
flickr/john fellner
Located 38-miles from the Los Angeles County coast, Santa Barbara is the smallest of the islands with a total area of approximately one-square mile.
National Park Service
Sea lions are a common sighting during visits to the island. Wildflowers are also quite vibrant depending on the time of year you visit.
flickr/pacific southwest region usfws
San Miguel is a designated archaeological district and was placed on the National Register of Historic places.
wikimedia commons
San Miguel is unique to the rest of the islands in that it is known for its “diverse array of sea life.” Hiking, camping, and water activities are popular recreational choices for those who visit the island.
flickr/brian hawkins
Anacapa is most easily recognized by its three small islets.
Of all the islands in Channel Islands National Park, Anacapa is closest to the mainland. Located only 12 miles from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, this is perhaps the easiest of the islands to reach and definitely the quickest with only a one-hour travel time.
Located off the mainland of Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz is the largest of all the channel islands measuring in at 96-square miles.
flickr/michael field
People are drawn to Santa Cruz for its rich wildlife and rare species. Kayaking, whale watching, hiking, and camping can all be enjoyed on this rugged island. Pictured here: black mustard flowers in bloom.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Channel Islands of California, California, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park To Visit In Southern California March 15, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best state parks in Southern California? California is home to hundreds of parks, state parks, and national parks. Many, if not all, of the state-designated state parks are amazing in their own ways and are well worth a visit; some, however, tend to be a little more popular than others, and we can see why. Some are remarkably scenic, some are historically significant, some are unusual or otherwise interesting… the list goes on. Some of our favorite state parks in Southern California include the incredible 26,000 acres of amazingness that is Cuyamaca State Park, which is just 40 miles from San Diego. Then, there’s El Capitan Beach State Park, which offers some truly awe-inspiring beach and shoreline views that are just SO SoCal. Placerita State Park is both scenic and historically significant, as it was the first place in California where gold was found – an event which led to the great Gold Rush. We also love Will Rogers State Park, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Malibu Creek State Park. What are the best things to do outside in Southern California? Southern California is a state filled with seemingly endless adventures, and it can feel pretty overwhelming to pick something to do, to say the least. Well, we here at Only In Your State take pride in making that decision just a little easier, so you’ll want to check this article out for plenty of awesome ideas for your next outdoor adventure in Southern California. Among our favorite things to do outside in SoCal include visiting some of our interesting caves and cave systems, like the one you’ll encounter on Dripping Cave Trail in Laguna Niguel. If you’re an animal lover, embark upon a covered wagon safari tour at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and if you enjoy that, you’ll also want to try out the Malibu Wine Safari (which is as magical as it sounds). Visit our amazing beaches, state parks, and city parks; fall in love with little big cities like Malibu and Beverly Hills. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park To Visit In Southern California
March 15, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best state parks in Southern California? California is home to hundreds of parks, state parks, and national parks. Many, if not all, of the state-designated state parks are amazing in their own ways and are well worth a visit; some, however, tend to be a little more popular than others, and we can see why. Some are remarkably scenic, some are historically significant, some are unusual or otherwise interesting… the list goes on. Some of our favorite state parks in Southern California include the incredible 26,000 acres of amazingness that is Cuyamaca State Park, which is just 40 miles from San Diego. Then, there’s El Capitan Beach State Park, which offers some truly awe-inspiring beach and shoreline views that are just SO SoCal. Placerita State Park is both scenic and historically significant, as it was the first place in California where gold was found – an event which led to the great Gold Rush. We also love Will Rogers State Park, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Malibu Creek State Park. What are the best things to do outside in Southern California? Southern California is a state filled with seemingly endless adventures, and it can feel pretty overwhelming to pick something to do, to say the least. Well, we here at Only In Your State take pride in making that decision just a little easier, so you’ll want to check this article out for plenty of awesome ideas for your next outdoor adventure in Southern California. Among our favorite things to do outside in SoCal include visiting some of our interesting caves and cave systems, like the one you’ll encounter on Dripping Cave Trail in Laguna Niguel. If you’re an animal lover, embark upon a covered wagon safari tour at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and if you enjoy that, you’ll also want to try out the Malibu Wine Safari (which is as magical as it sounds). Visit our amazing beaches, state parks, and city parks; fall in love with little big cities like Malibu and Beverly Hills. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
California is home to hundreds of parks, state parks, and national parks. Many, if not all, of the state-designated state parks are amazing in their own ways and are well worth a visit; some, however, tend to be a little more popular than others, and we can see why. Some are remarkably scenic, some are historically significant, some are unusual or otherwise interesting… the list goes on. Some of our favorite state parks in Southern California include the incredible 26,000 acres of amazingness that is Cuyamaca State Park, which is just 40 miles from San Diego. Then, there’s El Capitan Beach State Park, which offers some truly awe-inspiring beach and shoreline views that are just SO SoCal. Placerita State Park is both scenic and historically significant, as it was the first place in California where gold was found – an event which led to the great Gold Rush. We also love Will Rogers State Park, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Malibu Creek State Park.
What are the best things to do outside in Southern California?
Southern California is a state filled with seemingly endless adventures, and it can feel pretty overwhelming to pick something to do, to say the least. Well, we here at Only In Your State take pride in making that decision just a little easier, so you’ll want to check this article out for plenty of awesome ideas for your next outdoor adventure in Southern California. Among our favorite things to do outside in SoCal include visiting some of our interesting caves and cave systems, like the one you’ll encounter on Dripping Cave Trail in Laguna Niguel. If you’re an animal lover, embark upon a covered wagon safari tour at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and if you enjoy that, you’ll also want to try out the Malibu Wine Safari (which is as magical as it sounds). Visit our amazing beaches, state parks, and city parks; fall in love with little big cities like Malibu and Beverly Hills. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
