There are a couple of really good post on the channel islands with great descriptions posted on this forum. If you enter Channel Island in the search box you should come up with plenty of info to help you. They are wonderful to visit for the day, great hiking. Also visit Island Packers website, they are the company that will take you out there.

Ahhhh, my favorite topic and place. Here is a previous post that contains some stuff I wrote: tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143019-i3509-k810…

Santa Barbara is an excellent place for a base for a Channel Islands trip. Realize, though that the boating concession that lands on the Islands, Island Packers, embarks from Oxnard or Ventura, about 25 minutes drive south of SB. SB is better, but more expensive for a base. (Realize, too that Catalina Island is also a Channel Island, but I don't think you meant to ask about there.)

Every island is the "best" They are fantastic natural destinations and I almost hate promoting them because I want them all for myself and the birds. Each island has its own personality.

The "best" island is really more determined by Island Packers' calendar. They probably won't be going to all of the islands while you are here, unless you are going to be here for a long time.

Anacapa Island is closest - about an hour away on the boat. It is made of 3 islets. Landing is mostly on the east islet and Frenchy's Cove on the west islet.

Santa Cruz Island is next closest. It is about 1.5 hours on the boat. I like the hike to Pelicans, but you must be guided to hike it legitimately.

Santa Rosa has really beautiful beaches and an ironwood forest, but the hike to them is about 5-6 miles RT.

San Miguel is the farthest away. YOu're only allowed to hike on the beach - it is a big beach - but the ranger will lead you on an inland hike, if you go. (I think though that you have to camp if you want to visit.)

If you are adventurous and they are still available, try to arrange for a kayak tour. Hard part is there won't be much time to hike, if you only go for one day.

Refer to the link I inserted above for more details.

As stated by Juxie, use Island Packers to get there. Contact Paddle Sports to see if you can arrange a kayak tour.

www.islandpackers.com

www.kayaksb.com

This time of year, getting in the water might be cold. And even in summer it helps to have a thin wetsuit to stay warm, but swimming is fun when the sun cooperates.

Otherwise, what to do is primarily ride on the boat, see the dolphins, sometimes whales, boat into Painted Cave, hike Anacapa, hike Prisoners. Camping is available and hily recommended on all the islands.

Here is the NPS website:

www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

Here are pictures taken by a partner in our weed control project on Santa Cruz Island:

channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/photos.htm

Ehhh. Force me to recommend something. Considering the logistics, check with Island Packers and check to see if they are landing at Prisoners' Harbor and leading hikes out to Pelican Bay. Second choice, land at Scorpion and do the Cavern Point hike.

Then again, the hike on Anacapa provides some excellent, easy vistas of the mainland and Santa Cruz Island. If it's sunny bring your swim suit and jump off the dock. but it will be rather refreshing. There is a change "closet" on the left side, (looking at the island), of the dock.

...just took a look at your website. ...didn't read all the words, but the pictures are great. You'll enjoy the islands. ...can't lose with any choice. Go to all of them! (It did take me a few years to get to all of them, though.)

Thanks so much for all of your advice...I can't wait!!! We'll have some pics posted after the visit!

Hey again,

Our plan was to take a camping trip out on wednesday but we just got news that there is a 2 night minimum for camping. Unfortunately, we can no longer keep the same itinerary due to our lil' kitty cat who needs lots of love at home. Do you think it is worth the $50 to spend only 4 hours (the time allotted on wed) on the island? Any advice would be appreciated!

ps- Santa Cruz island is the only one in service this week.

Santa Cruz Island is great fun. There is maybe 50% chance you will see dolphin. Sometimes the dolphin sightings are spectacular with hundreds seen.

Find out if there are kayak rentals out at Scorpions. I'm not sure but I think there is a vendor who sometimes sets up shop there - might not be available on a WEdnesday. Or else I would recommend the Cavern Point hike at Scorpions. Not the hike to Smugglers, because it's a bit boring and strenuous - would probably take the full 4 hours. Or ask if there will be a landing and guided hike at Prisoners to Pelican (a guide is req'd).

I think your decision to go should be influenced by the ocean conditions and your seaworthiness. I forgot to look at the ocean, today, but check to see whether today's windiness is causing whitecaps or if the swell is high. I'm not a sailor, so I'm not positive how to interpret these numbers. Ask Island Packers about the conditions. I just go, if I want to, and suffer the consequences. The swell height in the Channel today is 2 - 4 feet, and the predicted winds for Wed are 6 - 12 MPH. Here is a link that consolidates all the weather pages: channelislandsrestoration.com/weather/index.… Here also is a map and pictures: channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/photos.htm

Do I think it's worth it? Yes. But it will take the better part of the day to get there and back.

In case you don't go, but you still want to enjoy the outdoors, consider a hike on the "front side" of the Santa Ynez Mtns. Check this website for hikes. They're free. http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/ The website has trail decriptions, directions, and maps.

I like the San Ysidro Trail hike. Go only as far as the short waterfall, 2 miles up. There is a small pool for a dip there. The waterfall is on the left unseen from the trail. If you are climbing steeply and are feeling like turning back, you may have passed it. Read the description for directions.

I also like the Cold Spring Trail, West Fork to Tangerine Fall. On this trail, I like the first few hundred feet of the trail or the tough hike to Tangerine Fall. Where there is a left turn crossing the creek and a bench will only take about 15 minutes to reach. Don't bother with going farther on the east fork - not that exciting. But if you are intrepid hikers, take the left turn and continue on the west fork to Tangerine Falls. Challenging hike. Be careful when you get close to Tangerine Falls. You can get to the base, but your balance should be excellent.

Also, the drive and short hike on Paradise Rd, out to Red Rock and the pools can be fun. I don't know the current condition of the pools though. Drive to the end of Paradise Rd, park in the parking lot and walk maybe 3/4 mile to the swimmin' holes. Check the back country hikes section.

You've probably already found this... Here is the website of Channel Islands National Park: http://www.nps.gov/chis/

Eventually, you can click to the map & trail descriptions: nps.gov/chis/…scihiking2006website.pdf