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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Channel Islands National Park |
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By Matthew Martz |
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Channel Islands
National Park and Marine Sanctuary comprises of five islands
of an eight-island chain including their ocean environment
located in the crystal clear Pacific channel waters along
the Santa Barbara coastline. Often referred to as California’s Galapagos, the northernmost islands of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara are teaming with more than 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals, 145 of which can be found nowhere else on earth. Channel Islands National Park offers a wide range of activities, such as year-round camping, fishing, whale watching, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Visitors will want to begin their trip by visiting the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001. The center is open daily, except Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Two additional visitor centers are located on Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands. Once you’ve learned a little bit about how the different islands were formed, it’s time to head out. The islands are accessible by small private aircraft and by boat only, with the latter being the most popular. Island Packers, a family run business that has been around since the 1970s, offers year-round boat service to and from the California mainland to seven destinations on Channel Islands National Park. |
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 Channel Islands National Park |
Another fun outing for the
entire family is whale watching. The waters surrounding the
Channel Islands are home to the largest aggregation of blue
whales in the world. From July to September, approximately
10 percent of the world's blue whales gather in the Santa
Barbara Channel. In the summer months, it is home to humpback whales. There are several boat tour companies that offer whale-watching tours. They include Island Packers--one of the boat concessionaires that transports passengers to Channel Islands National Park, as well as Condor Cruises, Channel Islands Sportsfishing Center, and Sail Channel Islands. Half-day or full day excursions are available. Those prone to seasickness can whale-watch from land. The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center in Ventura has a tower with telescopes that can be used for whale watching during the gray whale migration from December through early April. If your looking for something more adventurous, Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers one-day kayaking, and multi-day kayaking and camping trips to Santa Cruz Island year round, as well as one-day trips to Anacapa Island. Finally, the Channel Islands are the Mecca for sportfishing. Seven days a week you’ll notice the steady flow of fishing enthusiasts heading out into the deep blue Pacific Ocean around the Channel Islands in search of fish. If you don't happen to be one of those folks that have your own boat, gear, and fishing experience, you might want to consider booking a half-day trip on a fully equipped 70 foot sportfishing boat with Channel Islands Sportfishing Center. You’re sure to fill your bag and maybe even win the daily jackpot for the "Biggest fish" wagering pool, while viewing nature at its best. |
Anacapa Island |
 Channel Islands |
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| Channel Islands National Park 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. 1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 658-5730 Channel Islands National Park is open year-round and each season brings with it a new ecosystem as unique as each island itself. |
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