Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and fauna, tide pools and kelp forests, the islands are home to 145 plant and animal species
found nowhere else in the world, earning them the nickname 'California's Galapagos.'
Geographically, the Channel Islands are an eight-island chain off the Southern Califor-
nia coast, stretching from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Five of them - San Miguel, Santa
Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and tiny Santa Barbara - comprise Channel Islands National
Park. Originally the islands were inhabited by Chumash tribespeople, who were forced to
move to mainland Catholic missions by Spanish military forces in the early 1800s. The is-
lands were subsequently taken over by Mexican and American ranchers during the 19th
century and the US military in the 20th, until conservation efforts began in the 1970s and
'80s.
CALIFORNIA'S CHANNEL ISLANDS: PARADISE LOST & FOUND
Human beings have left a heavy footprint on the Channel Islands. Livestock overgrazed,
causing erosion, and rabbits fed on native plants. The US military even used San Miguel
as a practice bombing range. In 1969 an offshore oil spill engulfed the northern islands in
an 800-sq-mile slick, killing off uncountable seabirds and mammals. Meanwhile, deep-
sea fishing has caused the destruction of three-quarters of the islands' kelp forests,
which are key to the marine ecosystem.
Despite past abuses, the future isn't all bleak. Brown pelicans - decimated by the ef-
fects of DDT and reduced to one surviving chick on Anacapa Island in 1970 - have re-
bounded. On San Miguel Island, native vegetation has returned a half century after over-
grazing sheep were removed. On Santa Cruz Island, the National Park Service and the
Nature Conservancy have implemented multiyear plans to eliminate invasive plants and
feral pigs, and hopefully their recovery efforts will meet with success.
Sights & Activities
Anacapa and Santa Cruz, the park's most popular islands, are within an hour's boat ride of
Ventura. Anacapa is a doable day trip, while Santa Cruz is better suited for overnight
camping. Bring plenty of water, because none is available on either island except at Scor-
pion Ranch Campground on Santa Cruz.
Most visitors arrive during summer, when island conditions are hot, dusty and bone-dry.
Better times to visit are during the spring wildflower bloom or in early fall, when the fog
clears. Winter can be stormy, but it's also great for wildlife-watching, especially whales.
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