Planning Your Visit

Directions

While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.

Directions to:

• The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center
  at Channel Islands National Park
• Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center
• Island Packers (Official Boat Concessionaire)
• Truth Aquatics (Official Boat Concessionaire)
• Channel Islands Aviation (Official Airline Concessionaire)

The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center
at Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 658-5730

The visitor center is located in the Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Only train, bus, and private car transportation are available from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to Ventura.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

• Take the Victoria Avenue exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria.
• Turn right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive.
• The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Free parking is available at the beach parking lot.
• Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

• Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard, then proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive.
• Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive.
• The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Free parking is avaliable at the beach parking lot.
• Click here to map your route.

Outdoor Santa Barbara Visitor Center
113 Harbor Way 4th Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 884-1475
http://outdoorsb.noaa.gov/

The visitor center is located in the Santa Barbara Harbor in Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara is located 100 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles north of Ventura. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

• Take the Castillo Street exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn right onto Castillo.
• When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd.
• Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way. City pay parking is immediately on your left or right. There are also 90 minute free parking spots in the harbor parking lot.
• Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

• Take the Bath Street exit.
• Take a left at the next signal light which is Gutierrez.
• Take a left at the next signal light which is Castillo Street. Follow Castillo until it comes to an end.
• When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd.
• Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way. City pay parking is immediately on your left or right. There are also 90 minute free parking spots in the harbor parking lot.
• Click here to map your route.

Island Packers
1691 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 642-1393
www.islandpackers.com

The main office for Island Packers is located in the Ventura Harbor. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

• Take the Victoria Avenue exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria.
• Turn right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive.
• Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive and follow to the "Island Tours/Island Packers" sign on your right just past the Ventura Harbor Village shopping area. Turn right at our sign. Parking is free. Please do not park in the 20 minute zones.
• Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

• Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard, then proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive.
• Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive and follow to the "Island Tours/Island Packers" sign on your right just past the Ventura Harbor Village shopping area.
• Turn right at our sign. Parking is free. Please do not park in the 20 minute zones.
• Click here to map your route.

Island Packers also has a satellite office in the Channel Islands Harbor at 3600 S. Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard, California. Oxnard is located 65 miles north of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

• Take the Victoria Avenue exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria and continue to Channel Islands Boulevard .
• Turn right on Channel Islands Boulevard and continue over a large bridge to Harbor Boulevard .
• Turn left on Harbor Boulevard and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left.
• Turn left and park in parking lot for free. Across from the parking lot is the office. It is on the south side of the large gray building.
• Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

• Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard and follow it approximately 8 miles to Channel Islands Harbor.
• Stay to the right where there is a fork in the road and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left.
• Turn left and park in parking lot for free. Across from the parking lot is the office. It is on the south side of the large gray building.
• Click here to map your route.

Truth Aquatics
301 West Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3564
www.truthaquatics.com

Truth Aquatics is located in the Santa Barbara Harbor in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is located 100 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles north of Ventura.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

• Take the Castillo Street exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn right onto Castillo.
• When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd.
• Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way.
• Turn left into the city pay parking lot and ask for directions to Truth Aquatics at Sea Landing from the attendent.
• Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

• Take the Bath Street exit.
• Take a left at the next signal light which is Gutierrez.
• Take a left at the next signal light which is Castillo Street. Follow Castillo until it comes to an end.
• When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd.
• Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way.
• Turn left into the city pay parking lot and ask for directions to Truth Aquatics at Sea Landing from the attendent.
• Click here to map your route.

Channel Islands Aviation
305 Durley Avenue
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 987-1301
www.flycia.com

Channel Islands Aviation is located in the Camarillo Airport in Camarillo, California. Camarillo is located 86 miles north of Los Angeles and 14 miles south of Ventura.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

• Take the Las Posas Road exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Las Posas.
• Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Road.
• Turn right onto Airport Way.
• Turn left onto Durley Avenue. Turn right at our sign. Parking is free.
• Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

• Take the Las Posas Road exit.
• At the end of the freeway exit, turn right on Las Posas.
• Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Road.
• Turn right onto Airport Way.
• Turn left onto Durley Avenue.
• Turn right at our sign. Parking is free.
• Click here to map your route.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is open all year. However, the visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are closed Thanksgiving and December 25th.

The Robert J. Lagomarsino Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily.

The Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Fees & Reservations

Fees
There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, a reservation fee is charged for camping on the islands. The $15.00 per night-per site fee includes both the National Park Service fee that supports the operation and maintenance of the campgrounds and the reservation fee charged by the contractor that manages the National Reservation Service.

For general information on National Park entrance fees and the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass, please visit NPS Fees and Entrance Pass Programs or USGS America The Beautiful. Passes may be obtained in person at the park, by calling (888)-ASK-USGS ext. 1 or via the internet at the USGS store.

Reservations

Transportation Reservations
Advanced reservations for boat and plane transportation to the islands are required. Please contact the park concessionaires for reservations.

For boat departures out of Ventura and Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors contact:

Island Packers
1691 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 642-1393
www.islandpackers.com

For boat departures out of Santa Barbara Harbor contact:

Truth Aquatics
301 West Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3564
www.truthaquatics.com

For plane departures out of Camarillo airport contact:

Channel Islands Aviation
305 Durley Avenue
Camarillo, CA93010
(805) 987-1301
www.flycia.com

Camping Reservations
Advanced camping reservations are required for all frontcountry campgrounds. Reservations can be made no more than five months in advance. Information required to make reservations includes: camping dates, transportation information, and number of campers. Reservations can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or through the National Recreation Reservation Service. A confirmation notice will be mailed to campers. This notice needs to be presented to the island ranger upon arrival.

Advanced reservations are also required for backcountry camping. Backcountry camping is available year-round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. Also, during certain times of year, backcountry beach camping is allowed on Santa Rosa Island. For Del Norte, call (877) 444-6777 or through the National Recreation Reservation Service. For Santa Rosa beachcamping, call (805) 658-5711.

Private Boaters
No reservations or permits are required to land on the islands administered by the National Park Service. However, a landing permit is required to land on The Nature Conservancy (TNC) property on Santa Cruz Island (western 76% of island). Contact scilandingpermit@tnc.org or http://nature.org/ for a permit; allow at least 15 business days for processing.

To hike beyond the ranger station on San Miguel Island, private boaters must be escorted by a ranger and have a hiking reservation and permit. Call (805) 658-5711 prior to mainland departure to make arrangements.

Getting Around

The islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.

There is no transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak.

Help Prevent Non-Native Pests

Non-native, invasive species threaten endangered animals and plants on the Channel Islands and are costly to control. Learn how you can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species before they become a problem.

Islands on the Edge:
The Threat of Non-Native Plants and Animals
Plants and animals living on islands are especially vulnerable to extinction due to the physical boundaries, limited populations, and lack of genetic variability. One threat to these island species are non-native, invasive species. Non-native, invasive species are also called introduced species or exotic species and refers to plants and animals that originate elsewhere and are brought into a new area, where they may dominate the local species or in some way negatively impact the environment for native species.

For example, many non-native, invasive weed species are plants that grow or spread aggressively, taking over important wildlife habitat, devastating shelter and forage, and reducing the diversity and quality of native habitat. These weeds often do not hold and protect the soil the way native plants do, so erosion increases and causes sedimentation of streams, harming fish populations and water quality.

The primary visitor landing points on the park islands are often where we first find non-native, invasive species. Nearly half of the endangered plants and animals in the United States have been negatively affected by non-native, invasive species. In addition, these species cause an estimated $138 billion in economic damage each year in the United States.

How You Can Help
If you plan to visit the Channel Islands, you probably care a great deal about protecting them from harm. Ironically, those who enjoy visiting the islands can also be responsible for spreading non-native, invasive species. You can help prevent the introduction and spread of these non-native plants and animals, which is far more effective than costly eradication programs.

• Clean and Inspect Clothing, Gear, and Containers for Weeds and Other "Hitchhikers"
  Many weed seeds readily stick to clothing and camping gear. These seeds can later fall off and germinate, establishing new weed colonies. Weeds and other non-native organisms can hitch a ride in camping equipment, food containers and baggage. Visitors should clean and inspect their footwear, clothing, and gear (especially shoe treads and Velcro) for seeds and soil before boarding boats and moving between campsites and islands. Socks and cuffs of pants should be given particular attention. Sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents should be cleaned and inspected for soil, invertebrates, and seeds before leaving the mainland. If you are already on the island, please use the nearby boot brushes—simply run each foot though the brush several times to remove weed seeds and other "stowaways" caught in shoe treads and laces.
  
  
• While Hiking
  Trails can be pathways for a lot more than just people. Weeds often spread along trails and then to adjacent un-infested areas. You can help prevent this from happening by always staying on designated trails, avoid weed-infested areas, and by not picking or transporting plants when hiking on the islands. Pack out all trash Just because a bit of trash—apple cores, orange seeds, etc.—is organic, doesn't mean it can be left behind. Please be sure to pack out all trash. While most domestic fruit and vegetable species are not invasive, some can germinate and become pests.
  
  
• Campfires
  Campfires are prohibited on the islands, and common sense will tell you that they are dangerous and potentially harmful in other ways. In addition to the threat of wildfire, firewood brought from the mainland can harbor organisms that can be very destructive. This includes the fungal-like disease "Sudden Oak Death" that kills several species of native trees. You can help prevent the spread of this disease and other harmful organisms by not transporting firewood under any circumstances.
  
  
• Domestic Animals
  Although most people know that landing of pets on the islands is prohibited, they probably never imagine the danger domestic animals can pose to wildlife. In 1999, canine distemper killed almost all of the island foxes on the eastern portion of Catalina Island. Island foxes are highly sensitive to disease, and pets and their droppings can spread pathogens and cause other problems for wildlife. Even vaccinated and apparently healthy animals can be carriers of diseases that are potentially lethal to island foxes. Although no one wants to leave a pet at home when they visit the islands, this is probably the best way of avoiding the temptation to land your pet on the islands.
  
  
• Private Boaters and Rodents
  Private boaters should be particularly diligent to ensure that no unwelcome animals are living on their boats that could be accidentally transferred to an island. Rats and mice should be eliminated on all boats through the use of traps. Proper storage of food and monitoring for rodent sign will go a long ways to ensuring that your boat does not become the accidental conveyance for rodents to the Channel Islands.

Accessibility

The mainland visitor centers are fully accessible. Due to their isolation and transportation requirements, the islands are not readily accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.

Limited wheelchair access is available on the park concessionaire boats. Please contact Island Packers at http://www.islandpackers.com/index.html or Truth Aquatics at http://www.truthaquatics.com/ for more information.

Limited wheelchair access is also available on Santa Rosa Island via air transportation. Please call the park at (805) 658-5730 for information.

Clothing and Gear

Due to the weather variation on the islands, the landings, and long treks to campgrounds, please consider the following suggestions:

• Dress in layers. Plan light clothing for warm afternoons and addd layers such as long sleeves, jackets, gloves, and hats for cool mornings and evenings. Bring short and long pants, fleece jacket or sweatshirt, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, and waterproof outer clothing. In addition, visitors should wear sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles.
  
  
• Pack as light as possible. Concessionaires limit each bag of gear to 45 pounds. Pack food and gear in easily carried duffels, backpacks, or coolers with handles.
  
  
• Since there is no pier at San Miguel and landing is by skiff, bags should be waterproof and visitors should consider reefwalkers or old tennis shoes for the landing.
  
  
• All food containers should be mouse-proof.
  
  
• Plan meals carefully, keep them simple, and repackage your food at home first to reduce space, weight, and litter.
  
  
• Bring extra food in case your return transportation is delayed.
  
  
• There is no water available on the island except in the Scorpion Ranch campground on Santa Cruz Island and in the Water Canyon campground on Santa Rosa Island, where some visitors find it has an unpleasant taste. Bring one gallon of water per person per day in containers no larger than 2.5 gallons each.
  
  
• Clean any seeds or insects from gear from gear and boots to protect fragile island ecosystems from introduced species. Overnight campers should shake out their tents, sleeping bags, and packs to clean them of seeds and soil, paying special attention to clinging burrs and "foxtail" grass seeds. For more information visit Help Prevent Non-Native Pests.

Island Transportation

While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.

There is no transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak.

Boat Transportation
Public boat transportation is available year-round to all five islands by the park concessionaires, Island Packers and Truth Aquatics. In addition, Island Packers offers whale watching trips while Truth Aquatics also offers scuba diving trips.

For departures out of Ventura and Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors contact:

Island Packers
1691 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 642-1393
www.islandpackers.com
Click here for driving directions to Island Packers.

For departures out of Santa Barbara Harbor contact:

Truth Aquatics at Sea Landing
301 West Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3564
www.truthaquatics.com
Click here for driving directions to Truth Aquatics at Sea Landing.

Private boaters may land on all five islands within the park throughout the year.

Airplane Transportation
Public airplane transportation is available year-round to Santa Rosa Island by park concessionaire Channel Islands Aviation. Flights depart from Camarillo airport. For departures contact:

Channel Islands Aviation
305 Durley Avenue
Camarillo, CA93010
(805) 987-1301
www.flycia.com

Private aircraft may not land within park boundaries. All aircraft must maintain a minimum 1000-foot altitude above land and sea surfaces within the park.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus has recently been found in deer mouse populations at Channel Islands National Park. This mouse-carried virus also has been found in many locations on the mainland. This is a potentially fatal disease, and some basic precautions should be taken.

• Avoid contact with rodents.
  Rodents are hosts for a variety of diseases and parasites, including ticks and fleas, which may carry plague and rabies. Hantavirus is transmitted through the body fluids of the deer mouse, and can become aerosolized when large masses of feces and dried urine are disturbed. People hiking and camping on the islands are considered to be at low risk; rather, most cases of hantavirus infection have occurred when people have cleaned out or lived in buildings that have been inhabited by large numbers of rodents for many years. The precautions for avoiding infection by hantavirus are the same as those for the avoidance of any illness that may be contracted from rodents. When camping or hiking on the islands, the basic practices of cleanliness will reduce your chance of rodent contact.
  
  
• Do not feed any wild animals.
  Viruses and diseases are often passed through saliva. To reduce your chances of being bitten, avoid contact with wild animals.
  
  
• Keep food, drink, utensils, and trash in rodent-proof containers.
  On the islands, the mice are mostly active at night, but will also come out during the day while you are away from your site. It is best to keep all food related items in plastic coolers or other containers that mice cannot chew through. It is not recommended to store food within tents, backpacks, or clothing since mice have been known to chew through these items. National Park Service food storage boxes are provided at campsites.
  
  
• Prevent entry of mice into your tent.
  Mice will go everywhere in their search for food, so keep your tent screen zipped even when you are nearby. Keep your clothing and footwear inside your sealed tent especially at night.
  
  
• Symptoms of hantavirus infection:
  Infection by hantavirus causes flu-like symptoms followed by acute respiratory distress. If you experience fever, aches, and/or stomach cramps and believe you may have had contact with rodents within the last 30 days, contact your physician immediately and inform your physician that you have had contact with rodents and possibly hantavirus.

Goods & Services

There are no goods or services available on the islands. Visitors must bring all their own food, water, and other supplies. Public phones are not available.

For goods and services in Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Barbara contact:

• Ventura Visitor and Convention Bureau
  
  
• Oxnard Visitor and Convention Bureau
  
  
• Santa Barbara Visitor and Convention Bureau

Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands.

Please visit Leave No Trace to learn more about steps you can take to help protect your park.

Pets

In order to protect island wildlife, pets are not allowed in the park. Please leave your pets at home.

Some of the diseases and parasites that now threaten the fox may have been carried to the islands by animals from the mainland. While a domestic dog might have immunity from certain parasites and diseases, it may still carry them. Due to their insular existence, island foxes have no such built-up immunity to many of these ailments and are quite vulnerable to them. So please help protect the island fox and other island animals by leaving pets at home.

Public Transportation

The mainland visitor centers and park concessionaire offices are all accessbile via public transportation.

Airports

• Los Angeles International Airport
• Burbank (Bob Hope) Airport
• Santa Barbara Airport
• Camarillo and Oxnard Airports

Trains

• Amtrak
• Metrolink

Buses

• Greyhound
• South Coast Area Transit
• Camarillo Area Transit
• Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District
• Coastal Express

Our Staff & Offices

Our staff may be contacted at:

Mailing Address
Park Superintendent
Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001

Phone
(805) 658-5730

(805) 658-5799

A visit to the Channel Islands is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance. There are no services such a food stores or gear rental shops on the islands, no remedies for poor planning once you have arrived.

The following list may help you organize your trip to the islands. In addition, click on the various links below and above for more information.

• Decide how long your visit will be.
  
  
• Read about the Things to Do, including Outdoor Activities that interest you and Places To Go to determine which island appeals to you most.
  
  
• Contact the concessionaires for Island Transportation information and make your reservation. If your a private boater, read Boating for more information.
  
  
• If you plan to stay overnight on any of the islands, read Camping for more information.
  
  
• Contact rental shops to reserve any gear required (kayaks, snorkeling gear, etc.).
  
  
• Shop and pack for the trip. Read Weather, Your Saftey, Goods and Services, and Clothing and Gear for more information.

When To Visit

Visitors often ask what time of year they should visit Channel Islands National Park. While one can visit the park throughout the entire year, there are considerable differences in the seasons that visitors should take into consideration.

Each season has its own character and unique weather, natural history events, and outdoor activities. Listed below are some of these major seasonal events and activities.

For information on seasonal climates, please visit Weather.

Spring

• The islands are green and wildflowers reach peak bloom, especially the brilliant yellow coreopsis flowers. During a normal year of rainfall, this occurs by late January through March.
  
• Western gulls and other seabirds begin nesting.
  
• Island fox pups are born.
  
• Spring bird migration is underway.
  
• End of gray whale watching season.
  
• California sea lions and northern fur seals start to gather at their rookery sites.
  
• Peregrine falcons and other landbirds begin nesting.

Summer

• Summer is the ideal time for sailing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming.
  
• The park's underwater video program begins on Anacapa with live broadcasts at mainland visitor center.
  
• Seabird and landbird chicks fledge (leave the nest and fly).
  
• Although the vegetation begins to dry out, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom.
  
• Whale watching begins for blue and humpback whales.
  
• California sea lions and northern fur seals begin pupping.
  
• Most people visit the park during the June through August period.
  
• Backcountry beach camping season begins on Santa Rosa Island.

Fall

• Many consider the fall as the best time of year for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and swimming. Ocean temperatures may reach 70° (F) in early fall and visibility may reach 100 feet.
  
• Blue and humpback whale watching comes to an end in early fall.
  
• Fall bird migration is underway.
  
• Northern elephant seals begin to gather at their rookery sites in late fall.

Winter

• Some of the best sunsets of the year occur during this time of year.
  
• Gray whale watching begins at the end of December and lasts until April.
  
• Northern elephant seals begin pupping in early winter.
  
• Harbor seals begin pupping in late winter.
  
• Islands begin to turn green and wildflowers start blooming during the late winter months.
  
• California brown pelicans begin nesting.