Stays · Destination Guide
Cold water kelp forests, sea caves, and wild islands close to California yet worlds apart
Accommodation listings are not available for this destination yet. Use the local planning notes to choose your base.
Most visitors reach the Channel Islands by flying into Southern California, then driving to Ventura Harbor or Channel Islands Harbor and boarding a boat. There are no public airstrips or car ferries on the park islands, and all access is by sea via park concession ferries, charter boats, or private vessels. Island ferries run scheduled trips from Ventura and Oxnard to Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel, with seasonal service to Santa Barbara Island. Independent operators run dive and freedive charters, whale watching boats, and sailing trips throughout the year.
On the mainland, most visitors rent cars to reach Ventura Harbor, Channel Islands Harbor, or Santa Barbara Harbor, with rideshare and shuttle options available from regional airports. Once you board a ferry or charter, there is no public transit on the islands themselves, and travel is by foot or, where permitted, by kayak.