The ocean has always been a salve to my soul…the best thing for a cut or abrasion was to go swimming in salt water. Later down the road of life, I made the discovery that salt water was also good for the mental abrasions one inevitably acquires on land.
— Jimmy Buffet
Date Created: Channel Islands National Park was designated a national monument on March 5, 1938, and it was redesignated as a national park on March 5, 1980.
Location: Southern California, USA. The park encompasses five of the eight Channel Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara.
Size: Approximately 249,561 acres (101,004 hectares), including both land and marine environments.
Sixty miles off the coast of California, Channel Islands offers a unique opportunity to unwind, disconnect from technology and bask in the quiet. Early morning we embarked for a leisurely boat adventure to Santa Rosa. Along the way dolphins played along side the boat while sea gulls, terns and pelicans flew overhead Often described as the North American Galapagos, unique plants and animals are not found anywhere else on earth. The five mile hike along Torrey Pines Trail offered a panoramic view of the mainland, sailboats, freighters, kayakers and adjacent islands. Camping is available but note, no services are available with the exception of water. On the way back to the mainland we marveled at the several whales breaching and spouting a mist as they came up for air. A beautiful day in the sun!
