The Channel Islands National Park Is the Galapagos of North America

People who want to see plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth don’t have to make the trek to the Galapagos Islands because right off the coast of California, there is the Channel Islands National Park. These five rugged islands were isolated for millennia, and the flora and fauna that evolved there were unhampered by outside forces.

The Channel Islands National Park Is Truly Unique

Today, there are over 2,000 species of animals and plants that call the Channel Islands National Park their home, including 145 endemic species. The national park is not famous only for its unique flora and fauna. It also provides visitors with a remote, rugged experience. There are no restaurants, hotels, or cars on the islands, and travelers have to come with their own food and water. Visiting the Channel Islands National Park can be done any time of the year because of the clear, warm, sunny weather that dominates it.

Getting There Is an Adventure Unto Itself

The five Channel Islands are accessible by ferries that go from Ventura Harbor and travel to Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands on a year-round schedule. The journey lasts for around an hour, and the journey to Santa Barbara or Santa Rosa takes about three hours. People can also get to the islands with a private boat. All five islands have no cars on them, so walking is the main way to go around.

While the Channel Islands are a remote destination with no luxury accommodation, each island has a simple, primitive campground where picnic tables and pit toilets can be found. Campers will have to bring their own water and food and must pack their trash. Campfires are also not allowed in the park. There is a very limited amount of food and drink available for purchase on the ferry but not on the National Park islands.

A Lot in Terms of Activity

The island of Anacapa has a variety of options for people who want to take a look around. There are bird-watching locations, many hiking trails, and plenty of diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming opportunities. Santa Cruz Island is the easiest to get to, and it’s there where the scrub jay bird, which is endemic to the place, can be found. Santa Cruz also has clear waters, great beaches, and several surf spots and offers plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities, including a sea cave-studded shoreline.

San Miguel Island offers a lot in terms of wildlife sights with its 16-mile round-trip route to Point Bennett. There, thousands of seals gather, and tourists congregate to observe them. The waters surrounding Santa Barbara Island are clear and full of wildlife and offer a great opportunity for a kayak journey with views of sea caves, rock arches, and wildlife. Santa Rosa Island is where travelers can treat themselves to some tide pool spots and witness the rare Torrey pines.