The Channel Islands sit off the coast of California, and consist of different islands you can visit. How’d I get there and what did I do?
Well, I hopped on a plane and landed in Burbank (lovely small airport) and stayed overnight in downtown Los Angeles. I recommend the Hilton Checkers. I have stayed there numerous times and their rooftop deck is stellar.
I walked around LA for a bit, and headed to Union Station after staying overnight in the hotel. I took an Amtrak train to Ventura after the overnight stay. I recommend buying the business class ticket. It gives you access to the Metropolitan Lounge, which was large and quiet. You also get a yummy snack box on the train. Love it!
After getting off the train in Ventura, I took a rideshare to Waypoint Ventura, which is a retro RV park right near the ocean. I stayed in a wonderfully rehabbed RV, and also took advantage of the use of their bikes. I biked across the pedestrian bridge to the pier and grabbed some dinner at a taco place. It was convenient and cheap. I was soon back at Waypoint Ventura. I sat at a fire pit and settled in for the night.
The next morning, I took a rideshare to Ventura Harbor, where I boarded an Island Packers boat which would take me to Santa Rosa Island. The boat left around 0800 hours, and was about 2 1/2- to 3 hours long. It was a fantastic weather day!
We arrived at Santa Rosa Island and I had about 3 1/2 hours to explore before hopping the boat back to the mainland. There is a REAL bathroom as you start exploring the island and I’d brought a day pack along with me, including drinks and snacks. There isn’t anywhere to buy food on the island, so make sure to bring what you will need.
There are trails all around the island that are of varying degrees of difficulty. I followed a flat path that took me along the coastline. On a map, it shows as Coastal Road as it follows along Bechers Bay. I did turn slightly inland to check out the primitive campground.
I then turned around and headed back to the coastline. I wanted to sit at the water’s edge, at Water Canyon Beach.
It was crazy windy at the beach, but that’s to be expected there. There was certainly no shortage of sand everywhere on me and my belongings when I left. However, it was all worth it!
The beach was deserted and the water was gorgeous. I soon began the flat walk back to the Pier, but not before checking out various buildings along the way. People used to live here, but now just the buildings remain.
I got back to the Pier and hopped on the boat to head back to Ventura, which left around 1500 hours. We stopped at the Painted Cave on the way back (on Santa Cruz Island), which is one of the largest sea caves in the world. We literally went INTO the cave while in the boat. It was the neatest thing!
After arriving back to Ventura around 1800 hours, I took another rideshare back to Waypoint Ventura to stay one more night in the RV. The RV did have a shower and toilet, and there were also single use bathrooms with showers, etc. near the front office. And, of course I had to go the the pier again!
The next day, I took the train north about 40 minutes to Santa Barbara and ate dinner at the Bluewater Grill. There were electric bikes all around that you could rent on the street, and I took advantage of that to give myself a fun tour of the area. There were a lot of restaurants with outdoor seating, and cozy streets. Amtrak holds your luggage safely in Santa Barbara for a small fee, which is nice since I wasn’t staying overnight.
I took a train later that evening back to Burbank, where I would catch a flight the next morning. It was a mini adventure, but one very much worth it!
Safe travels, friends!
WHAT: Channel Islands National Park, there are five islands you can visit. I visited Santa Rosa Island.
WHERE: Off the California coast
TRANSPORTATION: The Island Packers will take you on a boat for your island adventure. See their web site for more information on when and where. I also took Amtrak trains so I wouldn't have to rent a car or deal with traffic.
LODGING: Hilton Checkers Los Angeles, Waypoint Ventura
FOOD: Lighthouse Coffee (Chapala Street) in Santa Barbara, Bluewater Grill in Santa Barbara