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Channel Islands National Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for Channel Islands National Park
18 reviews in English
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Review from Ginger P.
Lakewood, CA
6/18/2011
Completely amazing! We were so lucky to have perfect weather.
The beach at Smugglers Cove is a little slice of heaven, even if you have to hike uphill for 3 miles to get there.
GO, have a great time! Bring a camera and lots of water. -
Review from Seth W.
Culver City, CA
10/22/2011
Really cool National Park.
Not my favorite, but pretty cool.
Just be ready to be remote and have nothing to do but sit, hike, snorkel, kayak, and swim. -
Review from Ali P.
5/22/2011
I had always wanted to come to Channel Islands National Park, but I finally made it out there recently. Wow! I was so impressed by the desolation, peace, blue waters, and wildflowers. Every scene at every turn was so colorful, and having the island to yourself was worth the $56 boat ride to get there.
We visited Anacapa Island for a day and loved it. There are other islands to see, which I can't wait to visit later, but the Anacapa trip was a great introduction to the entire park.
Don't be held back by fears of a boat ride, getting seasick, or the cost. Everything is worth it once the clouds burn off, you step food onto the island, breathe the clean air, and enjoy yourself. -
Review from Daniel K.
Brooklyn, NY
6/8/2011
A gem of SoCal.
snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, camping, kayaking, hiking, cooking, camping...
Take a kayak tour and go through the caverns. That kind of thing is once in a lifetime. If you can arrange Jon T (with the goatee) as your guide, then your experience will be plussed and you'll learn a ton about the islands. -
Review from JASON R.
1/6/2011
Off all the great places to go in southern California, THIS is MY secret hiding place. I thought about not writing a review, or maybe writing a really crappy one in hopes of steering people away, but that just wouldn't be right. I can't do the love of my life any wrong (Sorry Christy)
Whether you are a hiker, explorer, diver, kayaker, or a hard core relaxer.... this is your National Park. In total I've probably spent a few dozen days here or more, and have never found myself discontent. From sunny skies, to 80 mph winds, to pouring rain, each visit as special as the last. More often than not I find myself in a state of depression when it's time to pack up and hit the boat back home.
While I am going to hold my hiking spots close to the chest, I hope the reader will have their own organic curiosity about the group of islands just a few hours off of our coast. I'll never forget driving to Santa Barbara years ago seeing Santa Cruz Island off in the distance thinking, "What the F*&% is that? That's not Catalina!"
Santa Rosa this April...woohoo!
PS- a shout out to Island Packers, the official boat to the CHIS. The crew is usually friendly, the captains always willing to take a detour and investigate possible whale and dolphin pod sightings.Listed in: National Parks!
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Review from Cadence C.
Phoenix, AZ
11/13/2010
Bring water, sunscreen, hat that fastens (gets windy), comfy shoes.
Layer your clothes.
A lot of the stuff on the island appeared to be dead at first.
I hiked up to the high points and enjoyed the views for the cliffs.
It was beautiful to be surrounded by the vast sea.
There is very little shade so plan accordingly.
Bring your own food, there are no vending machines or restaurants here.
There's a camping ground.
I also saw kayakers. Seemed pretty cool.
I took a day trip and hiked at least 4 miles.
Stayed from 10 AM to 3:30 PM ish. Very quiet place with no cell phone reception.
What a great way to tone my butt and consume lots of water, and get away from the world. -
Review from Raina S.
7/28/2010 1 photo
This review is for the visitor center only, since I haven't yet been to the Channel Islands. I did learn a lot about these amazing islands, and next time I'm in the area, I will be sure to visit them. Maybe take a kayak trip?
The staff here are very helpful and knowledgeable. We had questions about the woman from the book "The Island of the Blue Dolphins," and they told us which island she and her tribe lived on, along with many other details.
There is an observation tower where, on most days, you can see the Channel Islands. It was overcast on the day of our visit, so we couldn't see much. The view was still nice, though. -
Review from Ryan L.
11/6/2010
I stopped here on a whim after seeing signs for Channel Islands National Park off of the highway. I'm really glad I stopped.
After driving and driving out on a long pier following signs that say to the CINP, but not believing it because you've been driving so long and finally reaching the end of the pier, you reach the CINP visitor center. The VC is an older, wind and water weathered building that holds much information about the Channel Islands and their ecosystem. I had never heard of them before but I enjoyed learning about them and their role in the environment.
When you're done reading about the islands and looking at 3D mock ups of the islands, you can climb a tower to see them. They are further away and larger than I expected.
I would like to visit the islands sometime, but the Visitor Center is great to tell you why to visit them.Listed in: America The Beautiful, National Parks
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Review from John G.
10/20/2006
Spectacular preserved islands off the Santa Barbara Coast. You go to Oxnard to get a charter boat for the one hour trip to Anacapa. There are several islands you can visit for a half day or full day. A ranger/docent accompanies you, and gives you a nice talk about the islands and their history.
A step back in time, as these islands show you what mainland California looked like 200 years ago. Great boat ride over (we went into a school of dolphins that dove under the boat). We went to the island of Anacapa, which is the smallest. Around Memorial Day weekend, the western sea gulls are having their chicks. They don't seem to mind people, as the trail you walk on is only 3-4 feet from them in places. We saw eggs and newly hatched spotted chicks.
The island is very unique,and you can hike all around it. Take a picnic lunch and water. No food or water on the islands. A great way to spend your time in the Santa Barbara area.
Unspoiled scenery, and a unique view of the Channel Islands. -
Review from Snarky R.
Fullerton, CA
5/30/2010 2 photos
One of the best hiking experiences of my life! Took Island Packers as a means to get to Anacapa and did the short day trip, which gave us just enough time for a hike around the island and about 40 mins of free time to hike back and enjoy the scenery.
You have to climb 153 stairs to get to the island itself, but it's well worth the pain if you can do this. The views are OUTSTANDING and the sea is so beautiful and blue. On our way, we saw a school of ~50 dolphins and while on the island, we saw hundreds of sea lions, thousands of nesting seagulls (they were mean, but understandably so, considering we were walking right past their nests!), and even the pelicans soaring over from Santa Cruz Island.
Next time, will be trying Santa Cruz for a longer trip. Exquisite!! This is such a cool, unique, amazing place right off California's coast. -
Review from Tatertots Rock X.
Los Angeles, CA
10/26/2008
Don't go!
It's Mine mine mine!!!
I want to keep this place all to myself!
Thanks. -
Review from Mandy C.
Anchorage, AK
11/26/2009
I went to Anacapa Island for a day trip and wish it was 2 hours shorter. The island is really small (2 mi by 1/4 mi) so it doesn't take long to hike and explore it all, unless you plan on snorkeling. If I had friends/family visiting it would not be on the list of things to do. Beautiful views from the cliffs, but very brown in the month of November and not much to look at.
Do not take kids---No rails anywhere near the cliffs, so very dangerous for little ones. -
Review from Margie S.
San Diego, CA
6/9/2010
I love these islands! I have only kayaked around Santa Cruz island but it is the most crystal clear water I have seen off of California's coast in a long time. The visibility was at least 40 feet that day.
I booked a trip with Santa Barbara Adventures and they have little companies they work with--so my kayak tour was with Aqua Adventures. The ride over on Island Packers (the boat that takes you to the different islands) was included in the price of the tour package. It is a double decker boat. The boat ride was about an hour and a half long, and people got SICK. So don't sit next to the bathroom or else it will smell.
After the kayak tour (we went in lots of caves around the island) you have free time to hike the island which can take a good couple hours. The view is amazing.
I had to take a star away because there are no distractions except for the Ravens. Those birds can get into anything that is zippered so you MUST bring a hard ice chest or a box because our lunch was gone. Luckily, everyone who has the heart for adventure also is compassionate, so some other kayakers shared a couple sandwiches with us. We were grateful!
Will be back to Scuba dive!!!Listed in: Adventure
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Review from Jack H.
Santa Rosa, CA
9/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Looked through the Visitor's Center and went to the top of the tower to look over the marina. Great view!
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Review from Neely M.
1/20/2008
My boyfriend and I went to Santa Cruz Island today for my xmas gift and I was just stunned. The fact that a place this beautiful is just off the coast was so cool.
The boat trip was about an hour and a half cuz we slowed to watch some dolphins and whales - it was only an hour back. We got off at Scorpion Anchorage - there are easier day hikes from here. We did a 4-5 mile loop out to Potato Harbor via a couple switchbacks to add distance. It was breathtaking. The water along the shoreline at the bottom of these crazy cliffs we were hiking along was crystal clear. Potato Harbor was totally aqua blue and just gorgeous. We could see grey whales from the cliffs while we walked. You can see the mainland and the other channel islands off in the distance.
We stopped an picnicked at an overlook and just relaxed. We had about 4 hours on the island which was more than enough time for a good hike. There are a ton of routes you can take - one couple was doing a 15 mile run before getting back on the boat that day! You can also camp - that's next time! There is great diving and kayaking too.
The facilities on the island were great too. Porta potties at the campgrounds and the anchorage and drinking water at one of the campgrounds. You can also get food, coffee and water on the boat ride there and home.
I can't recommend this enough as a daytime getaway. It didn't even feel like we were anywhere near civilization. -
Review from Patrick D.
Los Angeles, CA
7/11/2009
Great visitor center on the mainland. I only visited a portion of Santa Cruz Island. Unless you can get a ride with the Park Serivce, you'll have to take a private ferry -- it's nice as sometimes the skipper will point out and detour to view wildlife (we can across a young blue whale, lots of dolphins, and some other critters). The park land itself is nice, though I haven't visited each island.
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Review from Glaciala A.
Providence, RI
1/1/2010
Haven't been to the ACTUAL islands, but have been to the visitor's center a few times. It rarely changes in terms of exhibits, but it is interesting to learn how the different islands were created (watch the movie). Also, check out some of the stuffed animals and there is an example of an elephant seal (plastic). Walk to the top of the view station at the visitor's center to check out the landscape from a higher view.
Listed in: National Parks
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Review from G L.
San Gabriel, CA
3/1/2009
Beautiful place to visit!! We spent a whole day there, hiking and enjoying the gorgeous view. I definitely want to go back to visit some of the other islands. It also looks like a great place for some kayaking!
