National Park Service Channel Islands National Park U.S. Department of the Interior 2nd Edition The Island Guide Plan Your Visit—Where to Go and What to Do Tim Hauf, www.timhaufphotography.com Welcome and Park Report from the Superintendent The park staff and I wish to welcome you to for recreation planning, conservation and Channel Islands National Park, one of North restoration programs, and early identification America’s magnificent treasures. Close to the of critical issues. California mainland, yet worlds apart, the The islands were set aside by Congress not park encompasses five of the eight California only to preserve these resources, but also to Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa provide for your enjoyment. If you visit the Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and park, you will be one of a very select group. their ocean environment, preserving and Few people actually see this park because it protecting a wealth of natural and cultural is not easy to get to—you can’t drive to the resources. islands. A short-but-exciting ocean voyage The park bridges two biogeographical or a commercial flight in a small airplane is provinces, and in a remarkably small place, required. The park is one of the least visited harbors the biologic diversity of nearly 2,500 of America’s national parks. The relatively miles of the North American coast. The light visitation enhances the islands’ feeling of Channel Islands are home to over 2,000 plant solitude and assists in the protection of fragile and animal species, of which 145 are found resources. In establishing the park, Congress Kathy deWet-Oleson nowhere else in the world. recognized the value of solitude by allowing Like the Galápagos Islands of South for low intensity, limited entry visitation. So a Hiking, Santa Cruz Island America, isolation has allowed evolution to visit to this national park will always provide proceed independently on the islands. Marine a marked contrast to the bustle of southern Channel Islands National Park life ranges from microscopic plankton to the California most people experience. It will Named for the deep trough that separates warm and cold ocean currents give rise to blue whale, the largest animal to live on Earth. always be a place where you can step back them from the mainland, the islands off the rich biodiversity of these islands. Today, Archeological and cultural resources span a in time and experience coastal southern the California coast and their encircling five of the islands, their submerged lands, period of more than 13,000 years of human California the way it once was. waters are home to plants and animals and the waters within one nautical mile of habitation. We are delighted you are interested in this found nowhere else on Earth. Isolation over each island are protected as Channel Islands The protection of these fragile island marvelous place. Thanks for making the effort! thousands of years and the mingling of National Park. resources was ensured when Congress, in the We hope our park newspaper encourages you act that created Channel Islands National Park to safely explore and discover Channel Islands Mailing Address Phone Park Website in 1980, established a long-term ecological National Park while taking care to protect Park Superintendent 805-658-5730 www.nps.gov/chis/ monitoring program to gather information on and keep these beautiful and fragile islands Channel Islands National Park the current health of resources and predict unimpaired for future generations. 1901 Spinnaker Dr. E-mail future conditions. This information provides Russell E. Galipeau, Jr., Superintendent Ventura,CA 93001 [email protected] park and managers with useful products please see PARK REPORT, 20 Island Information Know Before You Go Things to Do 6 Anacapa Island 2 When to Visit 16 Guided Tours 3 Park Highlights 16 Hiking 8 Santa Cruz Island 4 Island Transportation 17 Wildlife and Wildflower Viewing How to Plan Your Trip 17 Watersports—Fishing, Surfing 10 Santa Rosa Island Visitor Centers 18 Watersports—Snorkeling, Diving, Accessibility Boating, Kayaking 12 San Miguel Island Fees and Services 19 Camping 14 Santa Barbara Island 5 Park Regulations 22 Park Timeline Tim Hauf Your Safety 24 Support Your Park Aerial view, Channel Islands National Park When to Visit—Through the Year Visitors often ask what time of year that ocean and weather conditions vary Climate they should visit Channel Islands considerably from day to day and island to In general, the islands have a Mediterranean on the outer islands, Santa Rosa and San Miguel National Park. Since the park is island. Although this makes planning your climate year round. Temperatures are relatively (30-knot winds are not unusual). Anacapa, located in “sunny” southern California, it may visit a little difficult, remember that this stable, with highs averaging in the mid 60s°F and eastern Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara Islands seem that the obvious answer is “any time of unpredictable and, at times, unforgiving lows in the low 50s°F. The islands receive most have more moderate winds. The calmest winds year.” And, true, you can visit throughout the weather is one of the main reasons the islands of their precipitation between December and and sea conditions often occur August through entire year. But, believe it or not, we do have have been afforded so much isolation and March. Spring starts the warming trend toward October. Dense fog is common during the late seasons here in southern California. While the protection from the rapid changes seen on summer when temperatures average in the low spring and early summer months, but may occur seasonal changes are nothing like one would the mainland. It is, in part, what makes the 70s°F. at any time. Ocean water temperatures range find in Minnesota, there are differences that Channel Islands such a unique and wonderful However, visitors must be prepared for high from the lower 50s°F in the winter to the high visitors should take into consideration when place. winds, fog, rough seas, and sea spray at any 60s°F in the fall. visiting the park. Each season has its own We encourage you to take the opportunity time. Winds are often calm in the early morning character and casts a unique mood over the to fully enjoy the islands throughout the entire and increase during the afternoon. High winds islands. year. Channel Islands National Park is truly a may occur regardless of the forecast, especially In addition, visitors also should be aware place for all seasons. Spring Summer Tim Hauf Tim Hauf Rainbow and coreopsis, Santa Barbara Island Hikers at Webster Point, Santa Barbara Island • Although temperatures are becoming warmer, strong winds often occur during this season. • Afternoon winds are common, fog diminishes near midsummer. • Dense fog is common during the late spring. • Calm winds and seas become more frequent near the end of summer. • The islands are green and wildflowers reach peak bloom, especially the brilliant yellow • Ocean temperatures begin to warm, reaching the high 60°F by end of summer. Underwater coreopsis flowers. During a normal year of rainfall, this occurs by late January through March. visibility increases. • Western gulls and other seabirds begin nesting. • Summer is the ideal time for sailing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. • Island fox pups are born. • Seabird and landbird chicks fledge (leave the nest and fly). • Spring bird migration is underway. • Although the vegetation begins to dry out, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, • Gray whale watching season ends. and verbena continue to bloom. • California sea lions and northern fur seals start to gather at their rookery sites. • Whale watching begins for blue and humpback whales. • Peregrine falcons and other landbirds begin nesting. • California sea lions and northern fur seals begin pupping. • Channel Islands Live programs continue throughout the entire year on Anacapa Island with • Most people visit the park during the June through August period. live broadcasts to the mainland visitor center, classrooms, and park website. • Backcountry beach camping season begins mid-August on Santa Rosa Island. Fall Winter Tim Hauf Tim Hauf Kayaking Arch Rock, Anacapa Island Gray whale, Santa Barbara Channel • The best chance for warm weather, calm winds, and seas continues. However, beginning • Temperatures begin to cool. Winter storms start to appear, with most rain falling between around October, strong east or Santa Ana winds are possible. December and March. Nevertheless, beautiful sunny, clear winter days occur between storms. • Ocean temperatures may reach 70°F in early fall and visibility may reach 100 feet. • Some of the best sunsets of the year occur during this time of year. • Many consider the fall as the best time of year for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. • Gray whale watching begins at the end of December and lasts until April. • Blue and humpback whale watching comes to an end in early fall. • Northern elephant seals begin pupping in early winter. • Fall bird migration is underway. • Harbor seals begin pupping in late winter. • Northern elephant seals begin to gather at their rookery sites in late fall. • Islands begin to turn green and wildflowers start blooming during the late winter months. • California brown pelicans begin nesting. 2 The Island Guide Los Alamos S A N R A F A Lompoc 154 E PINE M 246 L OUNT AIN M O Reyes Peak U 7510ft N 33 T 2290m A Solvang 246 I N S Tranquillon POINT Mountain S A 2159ft N 101 LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST ARGUELLO 658m T A Y INS N 1 UNTA E S 154 MO Z A N T PA A ATO Y N E OP PlacesM to Go and ThingsSanta Ynez Peak to ZDo Anytime of Year T — O 4298ft M 6704ft Park Highlights U O U N 1310m N 2044m T A T A I N S Gaviota Pass I N S Since Channel Islands National 101 Santa Park encompasses five islands and POINT CONCEPTION Barbara 150 Santa Barbara their surrounding one mile of the Harbor 150 OUTDOORS SANTA BARBARA ocean, the decision of where to go and what to VISITOR CENTER do can be challenging.