![]() The crossing was not rough but we took Dramamine in advance to be on the safe side. If you want to see Painted Cave, the world’s largest sea cave, you will need to go to Prisoners Harbor. All of the activities listed below are for Scorpion Cove. There are two stops on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor. Return tickets for adults are between $60 and $80, depending on whether you are going for the day or overnight as a camper. The ferry to Santa Cruz leaves from Ventura Harbor year-round, with several crossings a day during the summer months. Some great activities on the islands include hiking, camping, birdwatching and exploring sea caves by kayak or snorkeling.” How To Get To Santa Cruz IslandĮntry to the park is free but you will need to take the ferry, operated by Island Packers, to get there. “This precious refuge beckons visitors from around the world to experience its remote beauty and take part in its unique adventure opportunities. At 96 square miles, it is the largest island off the West Coast: around four times the size of Manhattan.Ī spokesperson for the local tour operator Channel Islands Adventures, Will Adams, says: “Located just shy of 30 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, Channel Islands National Park is home to one of the most biologically diverse concentrations of marine life in the world and 23 endemic terrestrial animals including the island fox. ![]() You can visit for a day or camp but there are no other accommodations.The boat ride over to Santa Cruz Island takes an hour.The ferry service run by Island Packers, or your own boat, is the only way to get there.There are no cars on the island, or food to buy.There is also plenty to do here, so this is the island I would recommend for families who want to visit Channel Islands National Park. It’s only one hour away by ferry and there is a pier on the beach, so getting on and off the ferry is easy. We visited Santa Cruz as this is the nearest and easiest to get to with kids. If you can’t choose just one, it is possible to visit several islands in one trip. Santa Barbara is the smallest island and although accessible to the public, you will have to make your own way there: the dock is currently under repair and the ferry cannot land. Travel time is three to three and a half hours. There is no pier, so landing involves a skiff. San Miguel Island is for the more adventurous travelers. If conditions aren’t ideal, your trip may get cancelled – or you may get out there but the captain cannot land. Santa Rosa Island is a two to three-hour crossing and a bumpy one at that. The other three islands are further away. It’s small, but full of opportunities to spot birds and has a historic lighthouse. If your kids are older and can handle the ladder, or you can carry your infant on your back, Anacapa is perfect for a day trip. However, access is trickier: there is a steel-rung ladder to climb from the boat to the dock. The National Park Service recommends Anacapa Island, the smaller island next to Santa Cruz, for first-time visitors. ![]() All can be visited by taking a ferry from Ventura, operated by Island Packers. The National Park is made up of five islands and the ocean surrounding them, just off the southern Californian coast: Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa and San Miguel. Just don’t feed them please!” Channel Islands National Park: Which Island Is Best For Kids? You may even see an island fox while you are there. “We also have bird watching and many other marine animals to see such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, whales, and many kinds of fish. “If your family likes to hike, camp, kayak, snorkel, or dive, we have all these activities for a family. The Channel Islands National Park is a hidden gem, ideal for a day trip or a camping adventure.Ī spokesperson for the Channel Islands National Park, John Donoghue, says the destination is very family friendly. ![]() In 2019, around four million people visited Yosemite – compare that to the 400,000 tourists who came to the Channel Islands in the same year. Described as the “Galapagos of North America”, these unique islands just off the coast of Santa Barbara are home to some of the rarest (and cutest) animals on the continent. Read my full disclosure here.įinding it hard to make a reservation at Yosemite this year? Skip the crowds and head to one of California’s best and least visited National Parks: the Channel Islands. This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |