Channel Islands

The channel islands in California are five amazing islands and their ocean environment.  Many natural and cultural resources are preserved in these environments.  These islands are isolated and that has created unique animals, plants, and archaeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

Only one-quarter of Santa Cruz Island is national park land; the rest belongs to the Nature Conservancy.  Visitors arrive on the islands by boat (boats depart regularly from Ventura and Oxnard) or small plane, then use their hiking boots or kayaks to get around.