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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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The Seasons

Of course, as the seasons change, so does the day length and the ferry times. Summer days depart from Ventura Harbor at 8 or 9 am (later departures are sometimes available) and arrive back to the mainland around 6 pm. Winter (off-season) boat rides often depart at 9 am and leave the island around 3 or 3:30 pm, so you’re left with less time to explore the island. For more detailed ferry schedules and to book your round-trip boat ride to the islands visit Island Packers. Please be sure to book your ferry tickets well in advance during holidays and peak season (late spring to early fall).

The Boat

Most visitors that have only one day on the Channel Islands choose to take a shorter boat ride (1 to 1.5 hours from Ventura Harbor) to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor at Santa Cruz Island. That will maximize all of the adventurous activities you can do on the islands.

The Activities

In a day’s time, if you’re ambitious, you could fit in what we call the Island Trifecta: Hike, Kayak, and Snorkel* (*during the warmer months: May-October). Please check out our blog about What to do in the Channel Islands National Park for more!

Last, please be sure not to miss your boat! The ferries are on a tight schedule, which means day visitors should plan to be waiting by the pier for the boat no later than 15 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart.

~Wishing you happy trails!~

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Painted Cave Kayaking: Get ready for a full day at sea. Explore Painted Cave, one of the largest seacaves in the world! Painted Cave is within a Marine Protected Area and also a part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Enjoy breakfast & a hot lunch, as well as whale watching on the boat ride where you may spot sea lions, otters, dolphins, marine birds and whales. Snorkel the protected kelp forest after kayaking the massive sea caves. This is an adventure you will remember for a lifetime. Select dates only.

Snorkeling Tours at Scorpion Anchorage: On our guided snorkel tour at Scorpion Anchorage, guests receive expert knowledge while exploring the beautiful kelp forests and along pristine coastlines. Guides will offer discussions of marine ecology and natural history of the islands while guests view sea life up close. This is the only snorkeling tour in all of Channel Islands National Park!

Birding by Kayak Tour: On Sunday, June 3, beginner and expert birders alike will have the opportunity to see endemic species on land and sea on the birding by kayak tour. As you paddle along the rugged shoreline, find Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants nesting on the cliff edges and Pigeon Guillemots flying in and out of their nests in rock wall crevices as we paddle through sea caves, California Brown Pelicans flying above and diving into the crystalline waters surrounding the Channel Islands, with the occasional Peregrine Falcon or Osprey appearing. After getting off the water, we’ll explore the island on foot in search of the endemic Island Scrub Jay! 

If you have any questions or need help booking or deciding what is best for you or your group, let us help! Call us at 805.884.WAVE

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What will you find inside the Santa Barbara Travel Planner?

First, you will find information on what we know best — the trips and tours offered in the area from Channel Islands kayaking to Santa Ynez wine tours. Read about tours that are perfect for a family, business group or romantic get-a-way.  Santa Barbara is full of historic buildings and educational spots – we included all the addresses and tour information for the Courthouse, Mission and much more. We didn’t leave out the essentials – Airport, hospital and pharmacy information — all this is included as well.

Did we miss something? Please let us know in the comment section below so we can continue to make our materials as helpful as possible.

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The yearly poll recognizes the most popular and respected businesses in town based on votes by the public.

As a token of our appreciation to everyone who voted, we are offering a locals’ special!

Save $50 on a Channel Islands Sea Cave Kayak tour through November 1^st, 2015.

Join us for a fun day of adventure, including a phenomenal 3-hour tour of the sea caves on Santa Cruz Island, and incredible self-guided hiking and snorkeling. Call our office to book!

Promo Code: BESTOF15

Must book 2 or more people. All tours are subject to minimum numbers and availability. Offer expires Nov. 1, 2015.

Be sure to check out all of our other tours. From Channel Islands sea cave kayaking tours, coastal kayaking tours, surf lessons, and stand up paddle boarding, to team building and outdoor education programs, we’ve got something for everyone.

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The Adventure Company family is happy to welcome two new vans with open arms. A silver Honda Odyssey and white Honda Odyssey recently joined our crew, and we are excited to announce that they have been officially named.

There was an overwhelming amount of clever suggestions from our followers and staff, from Yolanda Honda, to Flotsam and Jetsam, to Diatomaceous Earth. Due to the importance of issue, our management team had to make a decision.  After several rounds of voting, passionate debates, and even a freestyle song, the team came to a conclusion.

The silver Honda, which has been referred to as “Honda” for the past year, has been awarded the name Arroyo Honda. The name is a play on Arroyo Hondo, a land preserve on the Gaviota Coast north of Santa Barbara. Rich in both history and natural life, the preserve is a canyon that offers some of the best hiking and walking trails, and also serves as an outdoor classroom for environmental education.

Photo: https://songsofthewilderness.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/trail-quest-arroyo-hondo-preserve/

The white Honda Odyssey won the name Migaloo, after the world’s only documented white humpback whale. As an Australian resident, he was given this Australian Aboriginal name meaning “white fella.” His hypo-pigmented color makes him easy to spot, giving researchers insight into humpback migratory patterns. The charismatic creature has also earned his own website, Facebook page, and Twitter account.

Photo: Qld Environmental Protection Agency

Cheers to you, Arroyo and Migaloo! You have already proven yourselves as trusty vans, and we know you’ll live up to the big names you have earned. Here’s to all the salty, sandy surf days, massive food buys, and runs to the harbor yet to come! Be strong; we dread the day you become old and rusty and retire to the big adventure trip in the sky. But have peace of mind in knowing you’ll join the legends of the past: 1-2 and Silver Bullet await, as do others who have rolled before you.

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