Visiting Channel Islands National Park has been on my bucket list for a long time! This stunning National Park, located off the Southern California coast, consists of five unique islands accessible only by boat. The idea of taking a ferry just to step into the park immediately intrigued me. After some research and planning, we crafted the perfect one-day itinerary to explore this hidden gem—and the experience exceeded all my expectations!
How to Get There:
We booked our tickets with Island Packers Cruises, the official boat concessionaire for Channel Islands National Park, which offers year-round ferry service to Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands. Since this was our first trip, we chose Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the five islands. We booked online about a week in advance and were lucky to grab the last few seats for our preferred date. If you’re planning a weekend trip, I highly recommend booking a few weeks ahead, as spots tend to fill up quickly!
For reference, Island Packers Cruises departs from Ventura, California. If you’re driving from Los Angeles, expect a 1 to 1.5-hour drive to the harbor—so be prepared for an early wake-up call!
The Scenic Boat Ride to Santa Cruz Island
The boat ride itself was an adventure! The journey from Ventura to Scorpion Anchorage (our chosen docking point) typically takes about an hour, but Island Packers is known for stopping when wildlife is spotted. On our way, we were lucky enough to see dolphins and even some gray whales! Since we paused to watch them, our trip ended up taking about 1.5 hours—and honestly, we didn’t mind at all!
What We Saw on Santa Cruz Island
After arriving on Santa Cruz Island, we received a quick welcome message from a National Park ranger before heading off to explore! With only 4.5 hours before our return boat, we decided to focus on just one hike—the Potato Harbor Trail ([AllTrails map here]).
Hiking the Potato Harbor Trail
The Potato Harbor Trail is a 4.9-mile loop with moderate foot traffic, offering some of the most stunning coastal views on the island. The scenery was surreal—rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and endless ocean vistas made us feel like we had been transported to another country.
We chose to hike clockwise, starting with a steady incline through the island’s hills. The uphill climb at the beginning was a bit challenging, so be prepared! But don’t let it discourage you—once you make it over the hills, you’re rewarded with breathtaking coastal views that turn the rest of the hike into a scenic stroll through what feels like the most beautiful park ever.
At the top of Potato Harbor, we found the perfect spot to sit down for lunch, soaking in the incredible views below. After recharging with food and scenery, we continued along the loop. I highly recommend hiking clockwise like we did, as it allows you to walk along the coastline for most of the way back, making for a spectacular and well-earned reward after the initial incline.
Relaxing at the Beach & Final Thoughts
Once we finished the hike, we headed back to the beach to relax until it was time to board our boat. The biggest downside of a one-day visit is how limited your time is—you have to be mindful of the boat schedule, making it tough to explore multiple trails. That said, we still had an amazing experience, and this trip confirmed that Channel Islands National Park is one of the most underrated national parks I’ve ever visited.
Next time, I’d love to camp overnight and explore more of the surrounding islands—this adventure was just the beginning!
Leave a Reply