Channel Islands National Park
Have you ever wondered what California's coastal geography looked like 400 years ago?If you have, consider a visit to Channel Islands National Park, comprised of five islands located in a serene eight-island archipelago. Established in 1980, the trip requires a short but exciting boat or plane ride to get there, but it's worth the extra effort to visit this national treasure. Just think: No cars, freeways, high-rise buildings, or any major sign of commercialization. These unspoiled, isolated and protected isles- Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara islands-are a must-visit for anyone interested in an adventurous vacation getaway. Over 140 animals, birds, and plants, like the Scrub Jay and Island Fox, are found nowhere else on earth. Similar to the Galapagos Islands, the Channel Islands' isolation has allowed evolution to proceed independently. If you are done with overcrowded National Parks and like the idea of exploring a more secluded setting, you'll love it here. Since there are only minimalist campsites available, we recommend staying nearby in the welcoming, next-door-neighbor beach cities of Ventura or Oxnard.
What to see and do:
Channel Islands National Park: The most popular and largest island to visit is Santa Cruz, which offers visitors plenty of exploratory options. You can get there by private boat or through a charter, but we highly recommend using Island Packers Cruises, which is licensed by the National Park Service and will get you there in about an hour. Their boats also make efforts to slow down if dolphins or whales are spotted. (islandpackers.com) Once on the island, your options include hiking, birding, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, backpacking, kayaking and exploring. Our personal hiking trek through the rolling hills and near the cliffs provided unbelievable vistas of the California coastline. (nps.gov/channelislands) Our kayaking experience was the best guide-led ocean kayak venture we've had in years. Our guide and owner of Channel Island Outfitters informed us that the world's largest and deepest ocean cave, Painted Cave, is on Santa Cruz. Although our day didn't include it, we explored a variety of other amazing tunnels and grottos, including a 400 foot paddle into Cavern Point Cave. (kayaksb.com)
Ventura (San Buenaventura):
Although Ventura is not nearly as well-known as other
California coastal communities, it should be. Great
beaches, exciting surfing spots, a beautiful harbor
and wonderful walking/biking trails along the water
are welcome surprises. It might be best known for
its beautifully preserved Mission San Buenaventura.
Started in 1872, it is the ninth of our twenty-one state
missions, and the last one personally founded by
Father Junipero Serra. (sanbuenaventuramission.org)
Other personal recommendations to add to your do-not-miss list: Channel Islands Visitors Center at the road's end on the harbor is worth a drop-in prior to heading for the islands; San Buenaventura City Hall is a stunning 1912 Beaux Arts architectural landmark that offers dramatic interiors and courtrooms formerly Kayaker, Scorpion Bay, Doug Mangum Heritage Square, Oxnard used when serving as Ventura County's Courthouse. Antique shopping and an amazing number of high-end thrift stores benefitting a wide variety of charities draw buyers from all over Southern California. Other shopping stops at the world-renowned Patagonia headquarters will entice the outdoor aficionado, and Cheap Sports is nearby for those seeking sporting goods bargains. (patagonia.com, realcheapsports.com) Buenaventura Art Gallery concentrates on featuring talented local artists (buenaventuragallery.org), and the Erle Stanley Gardner Building-the “birthplace of Perry Mason mystery literature and TV shows”-is slated to be developed into a dramatic special events venue.
For all things Ventura:
ventura-usa.com
Oxnard:
Maybe even less
known than Ventura, Oxnard also
offers many pleasant surprises,
especially their Channel Islands
Harbor and numerous uncrowded,
well-maintained beaches. Other
suggestions include: Mullin
Automotive Museum, a display of
the world's largest collection of
stunning Bugatti and French race
cars. They have very limited visiting
hours, but if you can arrange a
visit, it's a spectacular display.
(mullinautomotivemuseum.com)
Ventura County Maritime Museum presents one of the country's best collections of model tall ships and other nautical exhibits. (vcmm.org) Jim Hall Kart Racing School and Track have been highly touted by Motor Trend Magazine. (jimhallkartracing.com)
Try renting a popular Duffy Electric Boat and enjoy a quiet excursion through the picturesque harbor channels. (hopperboatrentals.com) Long recognized as one of our state's most popular fishing ports, sign up for a sport fishing trip to the islands and expect great catch results including sole, sand dabs, rock fish, red snapper, lobster and crab. (hookslanding.net)
Carnegie Art Museum, originally built in 1906 as a library, is a gorgeous neoclassical building with rotating exhibits. (carnegieam. org) Take a nostalgic stroll through the Historic District and Heritage Square, where numerous notable homes and buildings await.
For all things Oxnard:
visitoxnard.com
Santa Paula:
While visiting
the area, we recommend a short
drive to Santa Paula, known as the
citrus capital of the world. Three
very unique museums make up a
historical trifecta, and the quality
is quite surprising for such a small,
out-of-the-way community. Their
California Oil Museum offers mindenergizing
displays, and don't miss the
upstairs offices of this former Union Oil
Company headquarters. (oilmuseum.
net) The Farm Museum and Santa Paula
Art Museum are equally enthralling.
(santapaulachamber.com)
Where to stay and dine:
Oxnard: Our first choice for lodging when visiting the area is Mandalay Bay Resort, an Embassy Suites property. We've stayed here at least four times over the past twenty years and have never been disappointed. Lush landscaping and a dazzling beachside location make it a no-brainer. Current ongoing renovations of all their suites should only enhance their reputation. Dining in their Capistrano Restaurant offers California cuisine, and their Sunday brunch has been voted the county's best. (embassymandalay.com)
For other dining picks, La Dolce Vita is a local fave located in a restored historic residence in Heritage Square, and features Italian/Mediterranean fusion cuisine. (theldv.com) SeaFresh Restaurant at the harbor is a delightful casual, al fresco dining experience. (seafreshci.com) Cabo Seafood Grill and Cantina, a very popular hangout for locals, features authentic Mexican fare and homemade tortillas. (caboseafoodgrill.com)
Ventura: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach claims to be the city's only oceanfront hotel and is a great choice when you want to be within walking distance of the historic downtown. Their C Street restaurant specializes in California-inspired cuisine featuring regional vegetables and cheeses. (cpventura.com)
Prefer a B&B? The unique Victorian Rose is located in a 1890's church and has been intriguingly reconfigured into a charming inn. Ever fall asleep in church and get scolded? Well, here's your chance to do it without repercussions. (victorianroseventura.com)
Other dining picks include: Watermark Restaurant, the county's newest culinary darling for that special occasion dinner. Don't miss the dramatic 1920s restored interior and their stunning rooftop cocktail lounge, W20. (watermarkonmain. com) And the award-winning Sidecar restaurant has been open since 2004 and is located in a beautifully restored 1910 Pullman railroad dining car. (thesidecarrestaurant.com).
Often referred to as America's Galapagos, this pristine National Park should expand your vacation horizons, and the Ventura/Oxnard area will provide enough fun activities and interesting sightseeing opportunities to warrant at least a fourday stay. Major plus: hotel rates are less expensive than those in upscale beach cities like nearby Santa Barbara, and the beaches are very similar, if not better. [SJM]
