The California Channel Islands lie off the California coast between Point Conception and the Mexican border. Public visitation is allowed on six of the eight islands. These include the islands of Channel Islands National Park, located primarily near Santa Barbara and Ventura. Much of Santa Catalina Island, near Long Beach, is also open to public visitation. All six islands that are open to the public offer campgrounds, miles of hiking trails, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, whale watching, plus spectacular views. Catalina offers all of these, plus entertainment that also available in a modern tourist destination.

Most people begin their discovery of the islands and the surrounding ocean by taking a day trip to the closest islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Catalina) or by whale watching near the islands. A day trip offers spectacular views of the ocean and a very good opportunity to see dolphins, whales and other wildlife. Whale watching trips focus and the marine life, and usually do not include an opportunity to land on an island. Day trips that land on an island offer the opportunity to hike on trails and explore visitor centers (Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island) or to visit the city of Avalon or Twin Harbors on Catalina Island.

Overnight trips offer visitors the opportunity to see more remote parts of the islands that are not accessible to day trippers. The only island that offers amenities like hotels and restaurants is Catalina (which also has campgrounds). Otherwise, you stay in campgrounds, bring your own food, and in some cases, your own water. San Nicolas and San Clemente Islands are owned by the U.S. Navy, and the public is prohibited from landing there, although some charter companies offer diving trips near those islands.

At 96 square miles, Santa Cruz Island (Chumash: Limuw, meaning 'in the sea') is the largest of the eight Channel Islands. About one-quarter of this island is owned by Channel Islands National Park (the eastern end) and the rest is owned by the Nature Conservancy. The National Park side of the island offers the recreational opportunities, and the Nature Conservancy part is mostly closed to the public, with some exceptions. Boat owners can land on some of the Nature Conservancy property with a Conservancy permit, and the public is allowed to hike on the Pelican Trail (starting at Prisoners’ Harbor) with a guide from Island Packers.

Santa Rosa Island or Wi'ma as the Chumash called it (meaning driftwood) is the second largest of the eight Channel Islands. At 84 square miles, Santa Rosa Island is the second largest of the eight Channel Islands. In addition to being large, Santa Rosa is rather remote and windswept, but full of rugged beauty and unique features. It is owned wholly by Channel Islands National Park. It is more than 30 miles from Santa Barbara and around 40 miles from the Ventura Harbor. Santa Rosa offers many miles of hiking trails and sandy beaches, spectacular views, an amazing grove of Torey Pine trees, historic buildings and Lobo Canyon, which is one of the most amazing hikes on the Channel Islands. Depending on the weather, Island Packers usually visits Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island on the return trip to Ventura.

Visiting Santa Rosa is not for the faint of heart. Much of the time the island is swept by howling winds, and visitors need to walk long distances to the campground and to some of the more interesting trailheads. After you have experienced the relatively more placid environment of East Santa Cruz or Anacapa, Santa Rosa may present you with a bigger challenge, but you will also experience many rewards in beauty and adventure. This is also one of only two islands in Channel Islands National Park that the public can reach by plane. Island Packers offers trips from April to early November.

At 14 square miles, San Miguel (Chumash: Tuqan, translation unknown) is the third smallest of the eight Channel Islands. It is owned by the U.S. Navy, but the island is administered by Channel Islands National Park. Windswept, beautiful and remote, San Miguel is for the hearty visitor and is a sanctuary for breeding pinnipeds and seabirds. Cuyler Harbor on the island’s northern shore is lined with dunes and native vegetation and a large rock called “Prince Island” is just off shore. On a clear day, the views from Harris Point and Point Bennett are truly amazing, with the later covered in tens of thousands of pinnipeds.

Like with Santa Rosa, visiting San Miguel is not for the faint hearted. Much of the time the island is swept by howling winds, and visitors need to walk long distances to the campground and to some of the more interesting trailheads.

After you have experienced the more relatively placid environment of East Santa Cruz or Anacapa (or even Santa Rosa) San Miguel may present you with a bigger challenge, but you will also experience many rewards in beauty and adventure. This is also one of only two islands in Channel Islands National Park that the public can reach by plane.

At 75 square miles, Santa Catalina (most often referred to simply as “Catalina”) is the third largest of the eight California Channel Islands. Catalina is the most visited of the islands, due to its early history of tourist development and its proximity to Los Angeles. Although known chiefly for the City of Avalon, where people visit for the day and stay overnight in hotels, Catalina also offers lots of hiking and camping opportunities, along with many water sport options.

San Clemente Island is the southernmost of the Channel Islands of California. It is owned and operated by the United States Navy, and is a part of Los Angeles County. it is roughly 21 miles long and contains 57 sq mi of land.