Channel Islands
National Park

VISITATION:

Annual visitation to the park's mainland visitor center is 300,000. Visitation to the islands and waters is low, with about 30,000 visitors traveling to the islands, and another 60,000 who go only into park waters. Although most visitation occurs in the summer, migrating gray whales and spectacular wildflower displays attract visitors in the winter and spring. Autumn is an excellent time to travel to the park, as well as for diving, as the days are usually sunny, with minimal winds and clear ocean water.

LOCATION:

The islands within the park extend along the southern California coast from Point Conception near Santa Barbara to just north of Los Angeles. Park headquarters and the Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center are located in the city of Ventura.

ADDRESS:

Channel Islands National Park

1901 Spinnaker Drive

Ventura, California 93001

TELEPHONE:

Visitor Center (805) 658-5730

Business Office (805) 658-5700

Fax (805) 658-5799

San Miguel Hiking Permits (805) 658-5711

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

The park is open all year. The Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center hours are: Labor Day through Memorial Day, 8:30 to 4:30 weekdays, 8:00 to 5:00 weekends; Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8:00 to 5:00 weekdays, 8:00 to 5:30 weekends. 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 Telephone Road exit, left onto Telephone, 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 avaliable at the beach parking lot.

TRANSPORTATION:

Ventura is serviced by Amtrak, 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 or write: (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 or write: (805) 962-1127; Truth Aquatics, 301 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, California, 93101-3886

Channel Islands Aviation, located at the Camarillo airport, is the park's concessionaire for air travel to Santa Rosa Island. Trips vary from one-day to multi-day camping excursions. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call or write: (805) 987-1301; Channel Islands Aviation, 305 Durley Avenue, Camarillo, California 93010.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

There are no entrance fees to visit the park, and no campground fees for camping in National Park Service-operated campgrounds. However, there is a reservation fee of $2.50 per campsite per night (see RESERVATION/PERMITS).

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center:

Provides the visitor with Interpretive programs, a movie about the park, tide pool display, native plant garden, bookstore and island exhibits. The facility is fully accessible and offers a picnic area overlooking the Ventura Harbor.

Anacapa Island:

(699 acres) Anacapa has hiking trails, a visitor center, lighthouse exhibits, primitive campground, and picnic area and offers opportunities for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing , and observing marine mammals.

Santa Barbara Island:

(639 acres) Santa Barbara has hiking trails, a visitor center, picnic area, and primitive campground and offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, and marine-mammal observation.

San Miguel Island:

(9,325 acres) San Miguel has a primitive campground, miles of hiking trails, and beaches and offers Ranger-led hikes, marine-mammal observation, beach exploration, and bird watching.

Santa Rosa Island:

(52,794 acres) Santa Rosa has hiking trails and a primitive campground and offers beach exploration, wildlife observation, ranger-led hikes, vehicle tours, and kayak beach- camping.

Santa Cruz Island:

(60,645 acres) Ninety percent of Santa Cruz Island is owned by the Nature Conservancy. The National Park Service owns the eastern 10%, where visitors may observe wildlife, hike, camp and explore the newest addition to the park.

Marine Resources:

(125,000 acres) Extending 1 mile from the islands' shoreline the park's waters offer a full range of activities including sailing, power boating, fishing, SCUBA diving/snorkeling, surfing, wildlife observation and bird watching.

Accessibility:

The mainland visitor center is fully accessible. Due to their isolation and transportation requirements, the islands are not readily accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Efforts are underway to provide some wheelchair accessible areas on Santa Rosa Island via air transportation. Please call the park for information.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Visitors to the park may enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, such as SCUBA diving, snorkeling, swimming, bird watching, kayaking, whale watching, and sailing. On the islands, one may camp, hike, picnic, and explore tide pools, isolated beaches, and rugged canyons. Park naturalists conduct interpretive hikes on the islands throughout the year.

For more information on camping and kayaking at the islands.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Camping reservations for National Park Service campgrounds on San Miguel, Santa Rosa, East Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands are available through Biospherics Inc. at (800) 365-CAMP (2267). Camping on the beaches on Santa Rosa Island is available for experienced kayakers and boaters on a seasonal basis; a permit is necessary by calling (805) 658-5730. A free permit is required of private boaters to hike beyond the Ranger Station on San Miguel island by calling (805) 658-5711. For private boaters' permission to land on Western Santa Cruz Island, call The Nature Conservancy at (805) 964-7839.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Inform yourself about the park, its features, and safety concerns before visiting, by contacting the park for brochures, and the boat and air concessions for schedules.

Because of the time involved in traveling from the mainland to the islands, a full day is recommended to visit the park. Anacapa is a great island for your first visit; it is the closest island to the mainland (1 ½ hour boat ride) and consists of dramatic, steep cliffs, with hundreds of sea birds and marine mammals. Snorkeling, kayaking, and diving are all excellent in the rich kelp beds around Anacapa.

For a multi-day visit, Santa Rosa is a good destination. Rangers will take you to various parts of the island to explore canyons and beaches.

For a feel of a wilderness experience, San Miguel, the furthest out from the mainland, may be your choice. The island often is fog-covered or very windy. Access to many areas on the island is limited due to fragility of the terrestrial and marine resources.

The islands have no stores, restaurants, or overnight accommodations; you must bring all your own food, water, and camping equipment.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS:

Every Tuesday and Thursday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, rangers conduct a live underwater video program from Anacapa Island. This unique program features an interpretive dive through one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, the kelp forest. Visitors may view this program without ever getting their feet wet, from the landing dock at Anacapa Island or the mainland visitor center. The "Parks as Classroom" program brings the park to local schools.

January through March, whale watching of the gray whales.

June through October, whale watching of the blue and humpback whales.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

The introduction of alien plant and animal species, which do not naturally occur in the park, is the biggest human impact on the islands. Alien species often negatively impact the native plants or animals, sometimes endangering their survival. Visitors should take care to not bring in seeds of plants on clothing or shoes.

Over-fishing of the marine resources is another harmful human impact. Studies are being conducted at the park to determine species that may be in jeopardy due to over-use, and the usefulness of restoration efforts. Human use of tide pools, beaches, and other areas may inadvertently disturb some endangered species, including the California brown pelican, or seals and sea lions. These animals are protected by federal law; please stay far enough away from these animals so to not disturb them.

Illegal collection of cultural artifacts is also another negative human impact. Any artifacts found should always be left where they were seen and reported to the Park Service, since disturbance can ruin the archeological record and the educational value of these finds.

ADJACENT VIRTUAL ATTRACTIONS:

While visiting these sites you may leave the Government Net.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

UC Davis Species Data Base for Channel Islands National Park.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write: Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, California 93001
Call: (805) 658-5730
Email: chis_interpretation@nps.gov

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK INTERNET INFORMATION CENTER