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Visiting Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park
Rate it! Votes (3) | Comments (0) By Mitch Mandell Posted August 6th, 2007

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA, USA -- It is one of my goals to set foot on all 8 of the Channel Islands. This is a goal I've just recently set, despite the fact the islands have been right outside my backdoor my entire life. They say it's good to keep setting goals as you get older, it keeps things interesting.

The Channel Islands are a chain of islands off the coast of Southern California, five of which make up the Channel Island National Park. I have already sailed to Santa Barbara Island. A small, nearly uninhabited island, 42 miles from Marina Del Rey. Catalina, the closest island to San Pedro was easy. Boats whisk hundreds of thousands of tourists out there yearly. Anacapa Island, is a favorite for divers and is the place where I got my SCUBA certification. Last week I was lucky enough to ride on a fast catamaran boat from Island Packers Outfitters to the largest of the Channel Islands (and part of the National Park) Santa Cruz.

There are numerous coves and anchorages around Santa Cruz and several landings for charter boats. Scorpion Ranch, one such landing, was once an actual working ranch. Now owned by the U.S. government as part of our National Park System, the buildings at Scorpions are slated to become the Islands Visitor Center.

Camping and Hiking and More
From the shade of the picnic area near the visitor's center, our volunteer ranger, Shiela, gave our group a brief history of the island before leading us on a short hike. If you go, I highly recommend taking one of the guided hikes as they offer lots of interesting facts and information about the islands and the Chumash Indians who once lived there.

Santa Cruz is 24 miles long and 6 miles wide, a space that offers hikers a lot of places to go. There are also 3 primitive campgrounds. The lower campground, nestled under a grove of Eucalyptus trees, offers 25 sites perfect for campers who don't want to travel too far -- less then half a mile from the boat dock. Travel an additional half mile and you'll encounter a campground that offers a little more solitude. And for those that really want to get away, there's Del Norte, a three and half mile hike over a 1,500 foot ridge to a small oak grove that serves as the campground. Only the lower campground has potable water and there are no showers or electricity. All campgrounds have pit toilets.

There are many places to explore on the islands but don't forget to take the time to explore the places around the island. Kayakers will find Santa Cruz Island has some of the largest, and deepest sea caves in the world. In fact, Painted cave, so named because of its colorful rock types, lichens, and algae, is the largest in the world. The entrance ceiling rises upward to 160 feet, giving way to a cave nearly a quarter mile long and 100 feet wide. In spring, a waterfall covers part of the entrance. Exercise caution and be sure you know what you're doing before kayaking. The ocean can be very unforgiving and dangerous. Kayakers may want to read the following safety information.

With most of our National Parks suffering from a lack of privacy they were originally intended for, the Channel Islands National Park is exactly what's needed. This primitive set of islands offers solitude, sweeping ocean views, oceanic water sports and a way to get close to nature. With its close proximity to Los Angeles, there's no reason not to go and explore.

Getting There And Other Info.
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS: The park is open all year. The Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center in mainland Ventura is open daily from 8:30 to 5:00. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING: Climate is mild, with little variation in temperature year round. However, be prepared for high winds, fog, and sea spray at any time. Visitors to the islands should dress in layers, with short and long pants, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, and waterproof outer clothing. Wear sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles.

DIRECTIONS: Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. From the 101 Freeway: northbound, take the Victoria Avenue exit, left onto Victoria, then right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive; southbound, take the Seaward exit left onto Harbor Boulevard, than proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive, and turn right. The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Free parking is available at the beach parking lot.

TRANSPORTATION: Ventura is serviced by Amtrack, Greyhound, and airport shuttle services from the Santa Barbara and Los Angeles International Airports. Oxnard Airport has scheduled commuter service.

• Island Packers is the park's concessionaire for boat travel departing from Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors to all of the islands. A variety of trips, from half-day to multi-day, are offered. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call (805) 642-1393; Island Packers, 1867 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, California 93001.
• Truth Aquatics is the park's concessionaire for boat travel departing from Santa Barbara Harbor to all of the islands. A variety of trips, from one to multi-day, are offered. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call (805) 962-1127; Truth Aquatics, 301 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, California, 93101-3886

FEES, COSTS, RATES: There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, there is a nominal fee for camping in National Park Service-operated campgrounds.

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