I’ve guided hikes in Channel Islands National Park for the past seven years. Each one of the five islands is SO different from the others. This 4 day Channel Islands National Park itinerary covers as much as possible without having to travel with all your camping gear.
The thousands of seabirds nesting atop the steep volcanic cliffs of Santa Barbara and Anacapa Islands are a stark contrast to the bright white sand dunes of windswept Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. Meanwhile, Santa Cruz Island, with its large campground and visitor center, is the most obvious introduction to our human connection with the islands dating back over 13,000 years.
On this 4 day Channel Islands National Park itinerary, you’ll sample a little bit of everything. From searching for the endemic island fox and scrub jay and hiking to the most scenic overlooks to kayaking through sea caves and snorkeling through vibrant kelp forests, you’ll get the full Channel Islands introduction while returning to the mainland each night!
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My Recommended Channel Islands National Park Itinerary:
Island fox photo courtesy of Dustin Harris @dustinhphotos
Day 1: Scorpion Cove, Santa Cruz Island
Objective: Hiking + Island Foxes + Snorkeling
On your first day, I’d recommend getting a lay of the land, which is best done at Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz Island. Only an hour ferry ride from Ventura Harbor on the mainland, you can maximize both your time on island and in the kelp forests surrounding it by booking the longest day possible on the island.
Once you’ve arrived, duck into the visitor center to familiarize yourself with island history, leave whatever you don’t need for your hike in a fox box, then either join a guided hike up to Cavern Point (2mi loop), or hike on your own. Consider continuing on to the beautiful Potato Harbor overlook (5mi loop). This will double your hiking distance, but is so worth the view at the end! Plan to eat lunch on trail.
I’d recommend beginning at the trailhead next to the visitor center and returning back through the campground regardless which hike you take. This will allow you to refill water bottles at the potable water spigots.
However, the best reason to spend some time in the campground is to search for the adorable endemic island fox and scrub jay! They both frequent this area because they are often smarter than campers and know they can steal food. Don’t let them!
If you’ve hiked the loop I’ve recommended, after leaving the campground, you’ll arrive at the tiny storefront for Channel Islands Adventure Company. Here, you can rent snorkel gear (first come first serve) or, if you’ve brought your own, continue to the beach and hop in! I’d recommend swimming from the main beach under the pier (not too close to the end because of ferries) and into the kelp forest just on the west side of the pier.
While snorkeling at the Channel Islands, you can see garibaldis, sheephead, lobster, and tons of other tiny marine organisms that call the Scorpion State Marine Reserve home. As one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, you’d be missing out if you didn’t explore the underwater half of Channel Islands National Park.
However, if you’ve run out of time to snorkel today, don’t worry. You’ll get the chance to hop in tomorrow on your Sea Cave Kayak Tour at Anacapa Island. The kelp forests are even BETTER there!
Day 2: Anacapa Island
Objective: Sea Cave Kayaking + Snorkeling
The second day of your 4 day Channel Islands National Park itinerary should be spent on the water at Anacapa Island. I do like hiking to Inspiration Point on top of Anacapa Island, but as one of the top 10 temperate dive sites in the world, I think the BEST thing to do at Anacapa is explore all the life below the surface.
As most of us don’t travel with our own personal kayak, the best (and only) guided tour operating at Anacapa is the tour I went on with Channel Islands Expeditions. I can’t recommend it enough! The guides were both incredibly fun and safe. The best part is you can be pretty bad at kayaking and they help you through the whole thing.
On my tour, we saw California Spiny Lobster, paddled through countless sea caves and arches of all sizes, and snorkeled with curious California sea lions! It was really a remarkable experience.
My Anacapa Island sea cave kayak + snorkel tour!
Day 3: Santa Rosa Island
Objective: Hiking Cherry Canyon + Beach Exploration + Painted Cave
Santa Rosa Island is the most remote Island you’ll visit on your 4 day Channal Islands National Park itinerary. It takes roughly 3.5 hours to transit each way on the Island Packers ferry, but it’s 3.5 hours well spent. During that time, you’ll most likely circumnavigate Santa Cruz Island and even get to check out Painted Cave on the way home (depending on sea conditions)!
Once on island, you’ll see it’s very different from Santa Cruz and Anacapa. It’s comprised of huge sand dunes and intricate sandstone cliffs formations. 12 miles across the island, northern elephant seals haul out to breed for much of the year. However, the part you’ll explore during your 3ish hours on island is much quieter and much less smelly.
During your short time, I’d recommend hiking Cherry Canyon. Either complete the entire loop, or only the first half if you’re short on time. The first half of the canyon proper explodes with color from wildflowers, even long after the mainland blooms are dried up. It’s really incredible, especially in May and early June.
If you still have time after your hike, explore the beach next to the pier and the adjacent freshwater drainage to the west. If you have a bit more time and complete Cherry Canyon Trail, I’d recommend exploring Water Canyon Beach across from the campground. The sand dunes there are impressive. Just remember, you can’t walk the one mile of beach back to the ferry, so don’t wander too far.
Day 4: Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island
Objective: Hiking the Pelican Bay Trail
On your 4th and final day of your 4 day Channel Islands National Park itinerary, I’d recommend hiking the Pelican Bay Trail at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. Unlike Scorpion Cove, this side of Santa Cruz Island is much more vegetated with endemic manzanita and oak woodlands. Like Cherry Canyon on Santa Rosa, the Pelican Trail erupts with color in late spring which is the best time to visit here.
The trail itself is considered strenuous at 4.5 miles out and back. You’ll traverse a couple steep (albeit short) canyons on the way to Pelican Bay. At the end of the trail, there’s a beautiful overlook and refreshing swimming/snorkeling opportunities for the brave few who choose to carry a mask and snorkel for 4.5 miles.
I personally think this is the best trail on Santa Cruz Island for the diversity of ecosystems and endemic plant species within them. There is even a bit of shade on trail here too!
If the strenuous nature is off-putting, there is a guided option offered each day which moves at a slower pace along the first (more moderate) half which is still worth it in my opinion.
Why Aren't Santa Barbara Island and San Miguel Island on this Channel Islands National Park Itinerary?
San Miguel Island is best explored when camping. There are only one or two day trips per year due to the 9-hour round trip ferry ride from Ventura (including stops) and potentially wet skiff landing on the beach. However, camping transportation occurs all summer long.
Since this Channel Islands National Park itinerary is comprised of only day trips, you’d be better off exploring the closer Santa Rosa Island which has a similar sand dune ecosystem.
In contrast, Santa Barbara Island has been closed to the public for about a decade since the dock washed out and is currently only accessible to park staff, volunteers, or private charters. Luckily, Anacapa Island provides a similar experience but with fewer species of pelagic seabirds present.
If you have an extra day...
I’d recommend spending more time at Anacapa Island by either going ashore with Island Packers and hiking through a seabird nesting ground to Inspiration Point or scuba diving in the incredible kelp forests below on a SCUBA diving trip with Ventura Dive and Sport. Hiking to Inspiration Point is really beautiful and scuba diving in those healthy kelp forests is one of my favorite things to do in Channel Islands National Park!
Best Time of Year to Plan your Channel Islands National Park Itinerary
For this particular itinerary, I’d recommend visiting in May or June. During this time you’ll experience cool hiking weather and beautiful wildflowers, and ferries will be running service to all destinations.
During the wintertime, there is only ferry service to Santa Cruz Island and unreliable service to Anacapa Island due to weather and rough sea conditions. By May, the seas will have calmed down and service will have resumed to Santa Rosa Island (though the seas might still be rough so I’d recommend seasickness meds).
Additionally, the sea cave kayak tour to Anacapa only runs between April and November for the same reason.
Although the air and sea temperatures are much warmer in August and September (best for water sports), that causes all the plant life to dry up on the island. Between April and June is the best time to see the islands in full bloom!
Planning a Trip to Channel Islands National Park?
For more information and recommendations for planning a trip to the Channel Islands, check out these helpful articles, or contact me with any questions you may still have.