Pinnacles National Park

Set alongside Gabilan Range, the Pinnacles in the national park are believed to have been moved by the Pacific Plate along the San Andres Fault line. This location is a great weekend destination for families to go rock climbing, search for California Condors and other historic birds, check out Talus Caves, hike up to High Peaks, Bear Gulch Reservoir, see wildflowers and the historic ranch house. With clear night skies and friendly knowledgeable staff, there is an excellent campground, Pinnacles Recreation Co, to stay at for all the adventures. Learn about the campground amenities and reserve your site.

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is composed of 5 islands and is considered the Galapagos of North America! Top three islands to visit are Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Santa Rosa Island. All three have great hiking trails, wildlife sightings, and on Santa Cruz Island there is sea cave kayaking. Another great spot to camp with clear night skies are these islands, so be sure to book your ferry and campsite well in advance.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are known for the giant sequoia tree. The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park. With the lowest elevation at 1,360 feet and highest at 14,494 feet, this range leads to 1,200 species of plants living within the parks. Additionally, there is a Crystal Cave that visitors can be guided through with friendly naturalist providing a history of the unique features and formations. There are several great campsites to explore within these parks.

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According to the National Park, in general, the islands have a coastal Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, there are seasonal differences that visitors should take into consideration when visiting the park. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island.

Summer

Summer time around the Channel Islands is the peak season to visit. Thus, visitors will want to book well in advance to ensure they have a spot on the ferry (see: Island Packers), a spot on a much coveted guided kayak tour, or even campsite. Holiday weekends especially book up well in advance!

During the bustling summer months, there is typically ample sunshine and most days are around 70 degrees. Early summer can bring gray weather (*see: may gray, june gloom) and cool, often misty conditions. Afternoon winds are common, although these winds usually don’t pick up until after most kayak tours have ended. Fog tends to diminish near midsummer. Calm winds and seas become more frequent near the end of summer and continue through October.

Ocean temperatures begin to warm, reaching the high 60s by end of summer. Underwater visibility also increases into the summer. The ocean is often the calmest in summer and fall, although we experience swell from the south during the summer which influences many caves at Scorpion Anchorage.

Summer is a very busy time for tourists, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Fall

Fall brings dry, hot days and often the calmest ocean, when the Santa Ana winds are not blowing. The temperatures are often warmest in the fall months and, since it’s shoulder season, the crowds have thinned out. Late fall starts to bring swell to the region.

Fall brings the highest likelihood of warm weather, calm winds, and seas. However, beginning around October, strong east or Santa Ana winds (hot and dry winds) are possible. Ocean temperatures may reach 70°F in early fall and visibility is often best during the fall.

Winter

In the winter, which we consider low season, the island conditions can be rough. Air and water temperatures are cold during the winter. The water temperatures are often in the mid- to high- 50s (°F). Wetsuits are required and provided as part of your tour. Most rain falls between December and March. Nevertheless, we still experience beautiful, sunny, clear winter days between rainfall. Visitors to the National Park will want to speak with the office at Island Packers (phone: (805) 642-1393) ahead of their trip and should monitor weather conditions as big swell and windy conditions are more frequent this time of year. We will also reach out via email should weather impact the status of your trip.

Spring

Spring time! With a green, lush island that is bountiful with flowers comes rain and wind.

Although spring temperatures get warmer after a cold winter, strong winds often occur during this season. Spring is most known for wind events that bring rough, white-capped seas. Dense fog is common during the late spring as we approach the summer, and often into summer. Ocean temperatures range from the mid 50s to low 60s (°F). There are some nice weather windows in spring, but this shoulder season tends to result in weather cancellations.

Another great weather forecast resource is NOAA National Weather Service. Here is the weather for Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage.

For more information about seasonal weather at the Channel Islands National Park, click here!

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Food can make or break a good trip, so when you are traveling to the Channel Islands, be sure to put some thought into your meals for the day. Since food vending is not permitted on the islands, you need to make sure to pack all your food ahead of time and bring it with you on your excursion. Here are a few options we recommend for our guests.

1) Pack your lunch at home and bring it with you. This is the cheapest way to get food to the islands. If you are kayaking on the island, there will be storage options for your cooler or pack while kayaking. Please do not pack any glass containers, as items shift in transport and can break. We recommend packing plenty of food and snacks, including items easy to carry in your PFD pocket (granola bars, trail mix, etc.) that you can munch on during your kayak tour.

2) Pick up lunch on your way to the dock. There is a Von’s Supermarket at 2433 Harbor Blvd. It usually opens at 6am. You can pick up items there to bring with you for the day. If you are purchasing your food the morning of your trip, be sure to leave plenty of extra time. The ferry boat will depart on time and it is never fun when a guest misses the boat.

3) Lastly, the ferry boat does have some snacks and drinks for sale onboard. We would not count on purchasing food for lunch on the boat, but in a pinch, you could grab some drinks, chips and a candy bar.

Have a great trip and if you have any questions, just call our office.

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Many travelers are familiar with Catalina Island’s many attractions, and a week of outdoor school at Catalina is almost a given if you grew up in Southern California, but we have reasons to believe the “grass is greener” on Santa Cruz Island (especially after a good rainy season ).

Before even arriving on the island, visitors to Santa Cruz are guaranteed sights of an amazing array of marine life in Ventura Harbor and the Santa Barbara Channel, expertly guided by the ferry staff, our own Adventure Company staff, and certified naturalists on-board every boat. Though there is only one departure harbor to the island (relative to several departure points for Catalina), it’s nice to know that you and your fellow passengers will be the only people at the country’s most exclusive National Park.

One of the biggest differences between the two islands is amenities available on each island. Catalina offers a full spectrum of options, from luxury resorts and restaurants in the city of Avalon to primitive, hike-in campsites and everything in between; it all depends on what you’re looking for. Santa Cruz Island offers two options for accommodations on land: Scorpion Harbor and Del Norte Campgrounds. Both locales are picturesque primitive campgrounds, but only Scorpion Harbor provides drinking water. For any adventure at Santa Cruz Island, all visitors must bring their own snacks and meals with them, and remember to protect your food from the island wildlife!

The California Channel Islands (an archipelago of eight islands, including both Catalina and Santa Cruz Islands) are frequently compared to the Galapagos Islands in terms of natural endemism—plants and animals that are found no where else in the world. A landmark achievement of international conservation, the Channel Island fox is now a common sight on Santa Cruz Island, and sustains a population of about 2,000 individuals on Catalina, though they are less-frequently spotted around the developed areas.

Unique to Catalina is a small herd of American bison originally introduced for the purposes of filming a movie in the early years of Hollywood; and while these creatures are generally gentle giants and have been adopted into the island culture, they can be extremely dangerous and disrupt the native ecosystems.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking are the most popular activities on both islands, but each destination offers a different flavor. Catalina offers 165+ miles of hiking trails, whereas Santa Cruz Island hikers have access to about 100 miles of canyons, hills, and ridges. Both islands are international snorkeling and diving destinations, and offer one-of-a-kind ocean kayaking experiences, however the main attraction of kayaking at the Channel Islands is sea cave kayak tours on Santa Cruz Island! Scorpion Harbor is host to dozens of navigable sea caves, and many of our knowledgeable guides have been sharing their wonders with guests for over a decade.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, there are countless learning opportunities to be appreciated on both islands, and a variety of options to fit the needs of any group. Catalina offers a plethora of pre-programmed science camps to choose from, whereas a trip for a school or other group to Santa Cruz Island will be completely customized to your group’s needs by our Outdoor Education team. Both islands offer similar opportunities for studying marine biology, island ecology, geology, anthropology, or oceanography—it just depends on how you want to experience it.

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1) Start by booking your campsite with the National Park Service.
You will want to stay at Santa Cruz Scorpion, part of Channel Islands National Park. The campground has an Upper Loop and Lower Loop. All the group sites are in the Upper Loop and this area is further to hike to. Print out your confirmation and take it with you on your trip. All campers are required to have camping reservations prior to their departure from the mainland. Island camping reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

Campground Information:
The Lower Loop at Santa Cruz Scorpion campground is about ½ mile from the dock (the Upper Loop is further). The hike to the campground is along a flat, dirt trail and takes approximately 10 minutes. Visitors must carry all gear to the campgrounds. Camping conditions are primitive, and users must camp within designated areas. All campgrounds are equipped with picnic tables and pit toilets. Potable water is available and we will provide a water container for you to fill up at the site. No trash containers are provided; campers must pack out their own trash. No fires are permitted. To prevent scavenging animals from entering your site, please store all food in the fox boxes provided.

2) Make your ferry boat reservation with Island Packers.
You will want to book your ticket from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Cove. Book your camper ferry ticket online here or call (805) 642-1393.

3) Lastly, book an amazing sea cave kayak and/or snorkel tour with us!
Whether you want to kayak/snorkel on the day you arrive, the day you depart, or someday in between, it is up to you!

Please book all three reservations as far in advance as possible as there is often limited space for camping, ferry boat seats, and kayak tours.

View Additional Camping Information.

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Santa Barbara Island is located 55 miles from Ventura County and is a great location for a few day visit to enjoy island kayaking, snorkeling and camping with friends. Santa Barbara Island is the smallest of the eight California Channel Islands. The island is home to a large sea lion rookery and several seabird nesting colonies. The boat ride to Santa Barbara Island from Ventura Harbor is about 2.5-3 hours long. Here are some photos from an afternoon snorkeling exploration trip. 

Water temperatures around the Channel Islands vary from 50-60°F, with the warmer temperatures generally occurring in August and September. 

Santa Barbara Island has a few coves that are great for snorkeling and best accessed by kayak. 

Channel Islands National Park with the surrounding Marine Sanctuary has beautiful kelp forests with numerous fish and invertebrates.

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Book a day of Sea Cave Kayaking July 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th and enjoy camping in Channel Islands National Park on us! Come explore the sea caves with us, but don’t go home. Stay the night and enjoy a 2nd day of island life! Go on a self-guided hike, do some tide pooling or just relax and watch amazing marine life. Kayaking guests can enjoy a night of camping in our Scorpion Ranch group site. This is a fun way to meet new friends while enjoying an amazing outdoor experience.

Cost: $188 per person. (includes camper transportation fees) Trip includes: Authorized concessionaire boat transportation, double kayak, Channel Islands kayaking gear (paddle jackets, helmets and wetsuits as necessary), knowledgeable guides, kayaking lesson, natural history and marine ecology. Single kayaks are provided at an additional charge of $15 per kayak. Camping space 1 night in Channel Islands group site.

Camping space available the nights of 7/2, 7/3 and 7/4 only. Space in limited and subject to availability. There are no rain checks for this offer. SBACo will NOT provide any camping equipment, kitchens, tents or food. Channel Islands National Park is a remote destination, plan accordingly.

Please call our office direct to take advantage of this offer. If you Book Online please tell us what night you would like to camp in the comment section of your reservation and we will call you to confirm your camping spots. 805-884-WAVE or email us at letsgo@sbadventureco.com.

Want to learn more about Channel Islands Camping? Download our Channel Islands Camping Information Sheet (please note: Camp kitchens are NOT provided for the Forth of July Special. Tents can be provided at a charge of $10 per night. Guests will be staying in the group camping area which is about 1 mile from the boat dock.)

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