Considering a visit to California's Channel Islands? Here’s everything you need to know

Just offshore from Southern California lies a chain of lesser-known islands, providing a tranquil getaway from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. If you’re looking to camp amid stunning scenery and breathtaking sunsets, California's Channel Islands are the perfect destination.

The eight Channel Islands truly live up to their title of 'North America’s Galapagos'—boasting over 150 endemic species of flora and fauna found only on these tiny landmasses scattered between Santa Barbara and San Diego.

For nearly 13,000 years, these islands have remained mostly untouched by domestication and tourism, with one notable exception. This is surprising, considering their proximity to one of the most populated areas in the United States.

While Santa Catalina Island is quite popular and developed, the other Channel Islands remain beautifully pristine. Though getting there is not as straightforward as a trip to Disneyland, you can still have a rewarding experience, even on a brief day trip from a Southern California harbor.

Discover how to make the most of each of the eight islands, beginning with the five designated as Channel Islands National Park.

Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands archipelago extends from Santa Barbara County down to the outskirts of San Diego, but the five islands within the national park are more closely clustered near Ventura's coastline. The National Park Service (NPS) minimizes human impact on these rugged islands to maintain their untouched beauty.

These islands are predominantly treeless and offer little shelter from the nearly constant winds, yet springtime wildflowers are spectacular, and hiking is excellent year-round. Rangers and volunteers host guided hikes that align with some, though not all, boat schedules. The NPS operates visitor centers in Santa Barbara and Ventura where you can get more information.

Each island features a basic campground equipped with pit toilets and little else. Campers must carry in and out all supplies, including water (except for those camping at Santa Cruz or Santa Rosa sites). Be sure to make camping reservations with the NPS ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

Island Packers provides boat services to the park from Ventura Harbor and nearby Oxnard, offering day trips to Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands on most days. Trips to Santa Rosa and San Miguel are less frequent, and there are currently no services to Santa Barbara (though they may resume once the jetty repairs are completed). Alternative access includes private boat charters and multi-day cruises, some of which focus on diving in the park's rich, pristine waters.

If you're planning to camp, consider bringing TC Boyle’s 2011 novel When the Killing's Done – a mix of murder mystery and environmental allegory about an eccentric man's struggle against the NPS's efforts to eradicate invasive pigs and rats from the Channel Islands. The book draws inspiration from the ongoing, controversial removal of non-native species that threaten the fragile ecosystem and endemic wildlife.

From June to November, the Santa Barbara Channel hosts the largest population of blue whales outside of Antarctica. Trips to the islands during these months often include opportunities for whale watching. Other species you might see here include humpbacks, gray whales, fin whales, minke whales, dolphins, and orcas.

Santa Cruz

Ideal for adventurous day trips focused on hiking and kayaking

Covering 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest and most diverse of the Channel Islands. With two rugged mountain ranges, including the 2450-foot peak of Mt Diablo—the highest point in the park—and a scenic central valley, alongside 77 miles of dramatic coastal cliffs and rich native flora and fauna, it’s a paradise for hikers and campers.

Wildlife enthusiasts might spot its two most famous residents: the island fox and the scrub jay. While distinct subspecies of the charmingly fearless island fox are found on six of the Channel Islands, the monogamous scrub jay is unique to Santa Cruz.

The NPS website highlights the island’s 10,000-year history of human habitation, featuring over 3,000 archaeological sites. Keep an eye out for clusters of broken shells on the ground, which are remnants of ancient human activity, far from the shoreline.

Pro Tip: Embark on a water-based adventure to witness the painted cave, a stunning sea cave adorned with vibrant colors formed by algae, lichen, and various rock types.

Accessing the island: Santa Cruz has two landing areas: Scorpion and Prisoners Harbor. Scorpion serves as the primary landing point and is just over an hour's boat ride from Ventura, with multiple daily departures available.

Camping: Be sure to book your campsite at Scorpion Canyon well in advance through the NPS; this island is quite popular, and spots tend to fill up quickly during the season. Potable water is provided on-site.

Anacapa

Ideal for effortless day trips featuring breathtaking views

Appropriately named Anayapax, which translates to 'illusion' or 'mirage' in the Chumash language of its original inhabitants, Anacapa consists of three small islets situated 11 miles from the mainland. The island is a vibrant display of wildflowers, and ground-nesting western gulls welcome spring and summer guests. Thanks to its natural predator-free environment, their eggs and chicks thrive here.

Year-round, easy hiking trails lead to a sturdy 1932 lighthouse and offer stunning views of the mainland and westward vistas. Be on the lookout for the unique Anacapa deer mouse and the Channel Island slender salamander during your visit.

Pro Tip: Search for abalone shells left behind by the Chumash people thousands of years ago.

How to Get There: Most days, boat trips take about an hour from Oxnard on the mainland.

Camping: Campsites require a half-mile hike up 157 stairs from the boat landing, and you’ll need to bring your own water.

San Miguel

Ideal for watching seals and sea lions

Characterized by its windswept, foggy, and chilly climate, San Miguel truly shines on sunny summer days when around 30,000 pinnipeds—such as northern elephant seals, California sea lions, northern fur seals, and harbor seals—gather on the shores. You can witness large numbers of them lounging at Point Bennett, accessible via a 16-mile ranger-guided hike.

On your journey, you'll encounter the eerie Caliche Forest, featuring calcium carbonate casts of ancient roots formed around 14,000 years ago. Look out for unique native plants like giant coreopsis, poppies, dudleya, locoweed, and buckwheat. The removal of non-native grazing animals, including invasive goats and other feral livestock, has allowed native species to thrive once again.

Top Tip: San Miguel experiences the harshest weather among the Channel Islands, with typical winds reaching 30 mph, so pack suitable clothing.

Getting there: The trip to San Miguel from Ventura takes approximately 3½ hours, with only two dedicated day trip services available each year. For campers, boats operate two to three times a week during select months (check the Island Packers website for specifics). There is no pier, so be prepared to get wet when reaching shore.

Camping: The campsites on San Miguel require a steep 1¼-mile hike from the beach landing area, and you'll need to bring your own water.

Santa Rosa Island

Best for beach activities and hiking to witness vibrant spring wildflowers

Embark on one of the trails across the 84-square-mile Santa Rosa Island and envision the excitement of the archaeologist who unearthed 13,000-year-old human remains here — the oldest in North America. This region of America looked vastly different back then; while exploring the eroding cliffs, you might stumble upon signs of extinct pygmy mammoths.

For a glimpse into more recent history, check out the bunkhouses, corrals, and ranch houses near the pier, which serve as reminders of when livestock grazed this former cattle ranch and the island functioned as a big game hunting area.

Nature has made a remarkable recovery here, allowing you to spot native Channel Island species such as the charming (and sometimes smelly) island spotted skunk, the harmless dwarf island gopher snake, and the island fence lizard. Don’t forget to explore the grove of Santa Rosa Island Torrey Pines — the rarest pine tree in the world, a remnant from an ancient Pleistocene forest, reaching heights of about 50 feet.

Top Tip: Be sure to take the hike along Water Canyon Beach, a stunning and nearly untouched two-mile stretch of white sand just south of the landing pier.

Getting there: Expect a 2- to 3-hour boat journey from Ventura to reach the island. Services for campers operate a few times each week, while day trips are less frequent.

Camping: The campsite is a level 1½-mile walk from the pier, and you'll find potable water available.

Santa Barbara Island

Best for observing seabirds and enjoying tranquility

At just one square mile, Santa Barbara Island is the smallest and least frequented of the Channel Islands, attracting fewer than 750 visitors each year. This allows guests to traverse its five miles of gentle trails in peaceful isolation.

Explore the steep shores of this island for glimpses of marine mammals and the three unique land bird subspecies, or hike up 634-foot Signal Peak for breathtaking views of Sutil Island, where you might spot a resting peregrine falcon.

This island serves as a crucial nesting site for at least 11 seabird species, hosting one of the largest gatherings of Scripps’s murrelets. Keen-eyed visitors in spring can observe young California brown pelicans, western gulls, and various cormorant and storm petrel species. Tropical brown boobies have also started nesting here, with at least one chick reported on Sutil.

Top Tip: If you seek true solitude, visit the northern end of the island to reflect in peace by the Dinogo rock arch that extends into the bay.

Getting there: Due to significant storm damage to the island’s wooden dock, there are currently no regular boat services to the island. However, you might be able to charter a boat and land on a rocky ledge. Check with Island Packers for updates on when services may resume.

Camping: The campground is accessible via a 200-foot walking path from the landing area, but be prepared to navigate past some lounging sea lions along the way!

Non-National Park Channel Islands

Beyond the national park, there are additional islands to explore. Santa Catalina is a popular vacation destination, while San Nicolas and San Clemente can only be viewed from the water during boat trips.

Santa Catalina

Best for comfort and bison encounters!

Since 1911, Catalina Island has attracted Hollywood celebrities for sportfishing and lavish nights at the iconic art deco casino in Avalon, where movie extras, including a herd of live bison, were sometimes left behind. These bison now roam the hills, providing delightful surprises for visitors.

Avalon is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, boasting a beach in the city center, diverse dining and lodging options, and a rich sporting history. Baseball aficionados can check out the original Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs trained from 1921 to 1951 (with a break during WWII), now transformed into a public golf course.

Nestled on the slender isthmus that nearly splits the island, the village of Two Harbors provides a tranquil escape from the lively atmosphere of Avalon, perfect for peaceful camping.

Top Tip: Consider renting a golf cart for getting around; there's no need to rush on this island.

Getting there: Daily fast and slow ferries operate from Long Beach, Dana Point, and San Pedro, while the elite often choose the expensive helicopter service.

Where to stay: Catalina offers a variety of accommodations, ranging from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly B&Bs. Camping is available in both Avalon and Two Harbors.

San Nicolas and San Clemente Islands

Best for diving

While landing on these US naval base islands is prohibited, scuba diving, boating, and swimming in designated areas are allowed, with numerous boat trips available from the mainland. Before its use as a missile testing site, San Nicolas was known as the home of the 'Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island,' the last Native American to inhabit the islands and the inspiration for Karana, the heroine of Scott O’Dell’s Newbury Award-winning novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins.

San Clemente, the southernmost of the Channel Islands, serves as a vital rookery for elephant seals. It also trains human Navy SEALs for operations, including the mock-up of Osama Bin Laden’s compound for training missions, and functions as a naval ship-to-shore firing range.

Getting there: Civilians can only access these islands through scuba diving, fishing, and boating trips organized by commercial operators on the mainland.

Portions of this article appear in Corinne Heyning Laverty's book, North America's Galapagos: The Historic Channel Islands Biological Survey. University of Utah Press, December 2019