No one lives on the islands today, but the Island Chumash people inhabited them for thousands of years, making tomols, a type of plank canoe, to navigate between islands. What I love is our captains are so aware of our animals. “You can go for the day or take a dinner cruise around the island and see whales. “I would encourage everyone to go,” says Rebekah Evans, former executive director of Ventura County Lodging Association, who learned to scuba dive off the islands. Photo by Doug Mangum courtesy of Island Packers Journey into one of the largest sea caves in the world on Santa Cruz Island. Prefer land? Hike the Cavern Point Loop, a clifftop trail to Potato Harbor, for tremendous coastal views. You can also rent kayaks and snorkel gear in Ventura and bring them for a self-guided adventure. The sole National Park Concessioner at Scorpion Anchorage for kayak and snorkel tours is Channel Islands Adventure Company. The bay is the starting point for guided kayak, snorkel and scuba tours. At Scorpion Anchorage, you’ll find an open-air visitor center with interpretive displays and the path to a campground with water and pit toilets. Santa Cruz is the most developed of the Channel Islands. Once inhabited by 1,200 Chumash residents who lived in 10 villages, it was later settled by European descendants who built ranches and brought cattle to the island. The island spans more than 96 square miles, making it the largest island in California. If the weather is good, the boat makes a stop here. The island is home to one of the world’s largest sea caves, Painted Cave. In summer, you can spot blue and humpback whales from the ferry. The boat ride to Santa Cruz Island via the Ventura Harbor Village is one hour but can be longer, depending on stops and wildlife sightings. Santa Cruz Island Potato Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park (Photo: Gloria Wadzinski) Along the way, your captain may point out blue and humpback whales during the summer season.
The closest islands, Anacapa and Santa Cruz, are a one-hour ferry ride. It takes between 1-4 hours via an Island Packers ( ferry from Oxnard or Ventura Harbor Village to reach the islands. Home to eight unique mammal species found only on the islands, including the island fox and deer mouse, you’ll find solitude and beauty on the islands. Take a day to explore the “American Galapagos,” otherwise known as Channel Islands National Park.
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