Picture of Channel Islands National Park
Caption: Channel Islands The Forgotten Park
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Caption: The Channel Islands is a U.S. National Park located off the coast of Southern California.
Even with its close proximity to dense population centers, its accessibility makes it the least visited National Park in the U.S.
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Caption: We made our way out to the islands to explore for 9 days, leaving from Santa Barbara, California (escorted by massive dolphin pods).
Video of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: The archipelago was put on the map by Juan Cabrillo during the Age of Exploration.
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: The islands, now protected, were dramatically changed by cattle and sheep ranchers over the last 200 years.
While the landscape was transformed, each island still provides a different, stunning view.
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: The slot canyons on Santa Rosa Island
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: The lighthouse on Anacapa Island
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Video of Channel Islands of California
Caption: Anacapa Island
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: San Miguel Island Not only has some incredible and remote beaches, but great hikes.
It also has a caliche forest-mineralized remnants of trees from over 15,000 years ago- that you can see in person.
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Video of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: Santa Rosa Island has calm bays to get to shore by small boat.
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: It’s also a great place to walk amongst the endemic Torrey Pines, only found on the islands and in San Diego.
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Caption: Miniature foxes Are endemic to the islands. They’re easiest to find on Santa Cruz Island.
While they usually survive off deer mice, we found these two eating figs.
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Channel Islands of California
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: Painted Cave, the largest sea cave in the world, can be explored on Santa Cruz Island as well. It’s MASSIVE.
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: There are also hikes throughout Santa Cruz Island for every skill level, but permits need to be acquired from The Nature Conservancy.
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: The remarkable thing about the Channel Islands is how incredible it is under the surface.
With marine protected areas, life abounds. Not only an incredible place to snorkel or dive, the fishing is phenomenal too.
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: Abalone is making a comeback in the region...
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: The islands are also a phenomenal place to dive for lobster during the season.
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: It’s a lot of work, but we ate pretty well 😬.
Picture of Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area
Caption: We are transitioning from one week trips to month long expeditions with a purpose.
Learn more at www.remoteshores.com
