[2025 Santa Cruz Island Attraction] Travel Guide for Channel Islands National Park (Updated Aug)

#holidayitinerary Visiting Channel Islands felt like going to a completely different country without leaving California. I took a boat to Santa Cruz Island and spent the day kayaking through sea caves and hiking to stunning overlooks. The ocean was so clear I could see bright orange Garibaldi fish swimming below. The islands are peaceful, with no cars, no shops, and no noise except for waves and seabirds. The wildlife here is unique — I even saw the tiny island fox, which only lives here. It’s a paradise for anyone who loves the ocean, hiking, and escaping the modern world.

#holidayitinerary Just off the coast of Southern California lies Channel Islands National Park, one of the state’s most underrated gems. Accessible only by boat (book via the official site), the journey there is half the magic—pods of dolphins often chase the ferry, dancing in the waves. Once on the island, hikers are rewarded with dramatic ocean views and peaceful trails that offer a true escape from the city. The islands are also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to countless seabirds you can spot up close. A perfect day trip for nature lovers seeking solitude.

#landmarks 📍Off the Southern California coast, accessed by boat from Ventura or Oxnard We enjoyed close views of sea lions and other marine life. The islands felt peaceful and natural, with quiet trails and beautiful ocean scenery—an ideal spot to get away and enjoy nature. 🌿 Highlights: • Close sea lion sightings • Diverse marine wildlife • Calm and natural island setting Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #familytrip

#springitinerary Springtime at the Channel Islands was an adventure I’ll never forget! The boat ride over was smooth, and we spotted dolphins and even a few whales along the way. On Santa Cruz Island, the hills were green and sprinkled with golden poppies and lupine in full bloom. I kayaked through sea caves and hiked to scenic overlooks with sweeping ocean views. The cool temps made exploring perfect. #springitinerary must for nature lovers — it feels remote and wild but still accessible. Pro tip: pack snacks and layers; there are no shops on the islands. Totally worth it!

#islandtour Channel lsland has been on my list for a long time, but I don't have the strength to come and visit Channel lsland National Park separately. He used to watch many attacks and said to try to avoid being affected by strong winds. The weather depends on the weather, which is difficult to control. I chose to invite a group of physical strength kings to go together. By brushing through those arch rocks&caves and having the opportunity to have intimate contact with marine animals, I have been tempted and can only take a boat to Island Packer. This is one of the ways to land on the island, and it is necessary to book about two weeks in advance (72 hours in advance for free refund). The departure port will be Ventura or Oxnad, and the landing point is recommended to choose Scorpion, which needs to be arrived one hour in advance. Landing method:

Recently, I talked about wildflowers in California. In fact, the Channel Islands have been full of wildflowers in the spring. The island has not settled, and it has preserved the pure natural environment. The spring wildflowers are full of land and beautiful. The best thing is to go boating to see the stone arch culvert in the sea, and I have accepted the whole kayak in my bag.