TRAVEL CALIFORNIA
By An Trieu
February 5, 2022
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK. CALIFORNIA
Santa Cruz Island is the largest island out of 8 islands in the Channel Islands archipelago and Channel Islands National Park.
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You've heard it correctly. Santa Cruz Island is just a 1-hour ferry or boat ride away from the southwestern coast of Ventura, California.
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I saw a sea of dolphins, a mom and baby gray whales, island foxes, and tons of birds.
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I visited late May, and the entire east side of Santa Cruz Island was painted yellow by the blooming mustard plants.
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Trails range from easy to strenuous, maintained flat to unmaintained rugged trails. Stay within the park boundary as the other part belongs to The Nature Conservancy.
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Tour and rentals operated by Channel Islands Adventure Company in Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island only.
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Available year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park (NPS-managed campground). Santa Cruz allows backpacking, but limited.
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You'd encounter other hikers and park rangers, but most of the time, you're surrounded by the remote untouched nature.
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Learn about the native Chumash, European explorers, stories and remnants of California's ranching history, and off-shore shipwrecks.
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Santa Cruz is home to the Island Fox, and they exist on 6/8 islands in Channel Islands and nowhere else in the world. The gray fox is its mainland ancestor.
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Besides backpacking, you can book a full service expedition that lasts up to 10 days. Come enjoy the rich and untouched natural beauty of California's Southwestern coast.