Planning a Day Trip to Channel Islands National Park

California has eight national parks, with Channel Islands ranking fifth out of eight as the least visited, especially compared to popular parks like Yosemite.

I understand why it's less crowded; when I mentioned my trip to friends, they asked about its location and how to get there! In this post, I'll share my four-hour drive from San Diego, my early morning ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island, and the last-minute activities I chose on this enchanting island. This park quickly became one of my top five national parks, and I look forward to visiting again soon!

How to get here

If you're arriving in San Diego like I was, it's about a four-hour drive. I disagree with Google Maps' estimate of three and a half hours because traffic around Camp Pendleton is always heavy. Whether you're going there, returning, or visiting Kings Canyon and Sequoia Park, I often find myself stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic that suddenly clears. It's just silly.

If you're coming from LA, the drive is shorter—around two hours. However, I recommend taking your time because you'll travel along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Be sure to stop and enjoy the view. Maybe grab a quick bite at NoBu and soak in the ocean scenery, or stop at In-N-Out instead.

 I did both during my trip, and I even found a small beach that reminded me of Hawaii's coast. I had some free time since my tour was the next day, and I wanted to make the most of every moment on the PCH, especially since it was my first time driving through and experiencing Southern California!

Santa Cruz Island

I was torn about which island to visit, but since I couldn’t decide in time, Santa Cruz Island was no longer available. So I chose another island with a three-hour ferry ride instead of just an hour. I booked my tour with Island Packers.

First tip: don’t get discouraged like I did. I signed up for their email and text notifications, and I was able to get a ticket because of some cancellations. So I recommend you sign up! As a solo traveler, it probably helps to get a last-minute ticket on a full ferry. Also, keep in mind that this is the most popular island, mainly because of its shorter traveling distance and its resemblance to a miniature California landscape. This island is the largest and most popular!

What To Do on the Island

If you're as adventurous as I am, you can pack all these activities into a very busy day—except the camping part! Do I recommend the same experience I had? Yes, especially if you want to explore all aspects of the island (land, sea, and caves!). But if you're seeking a more relaxed experience, here’s a breakdown of each activity for you to choose from. 

Hiking

The Cavern Point Loop trail on Santa Cruz Island offers a short but stunning hike that takes you over one of the island's largest sea caves. While the cave interior isn't visible, the trail provides breathtaking views of the California coastline, which will almost certainly surprise you! On clear days, you can see from Point Concepcion all the way to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Along the way, you'll pass historic Scorpion Ranch and the main island campground. Cavern Point also offers westward vistas and is close to the campground, making it an ideal spot to watch the sunset if you’re staying overnight in Channel Islands National Park. The hike is just two miles long and usually takes one to two hours, making it a great addition if you plan to go snorkeling or kayaking afterward.

Snorkeling

The Channel Islands boast some of California’s clearest waters and healthiest kelp forests. It was my first time snorkeling in a kelp forest! Honestly, I was a bit freaked out—not because I thought sharks were lurking (fun fact: no sharks hang out in the kelp), but because I was worried about getting stuck in the large forests.

Eventually, I felt more at ease snorkeling around them, and I’m glad I did because I saw so many fish! If you want to snorkel, you can bring your own gear or rent equipment and wetsuits on Santa Cruz Island. I went in August, and since it was very hot outside, I didn’t need a wetsuit, although the water was still a bit chilly.

Kayaking

If you're seeking a memorable experience on Santa Cruz Island or want to end your tour there, as I did, a guided kayak tour with Santa Barbara Adventure Company is highly recommended! I booked this while on the island, which was somewhat risky since they usually sell out online.

I was eager to explore the sea caves—this island has the highest number! Your guide will take you to the caves, and each tour is unique. You might see an octopus—though I didn’t see one on my tour. But we did see seals basking in the sun and even held purple urchins collected by our guide, who dove into the water! Kayaking through these darkening caves was incredible—some with only a tiny sliver of light besides your guide. The guide always checked the cave conditions before passing through, as water levels vary during the day.

 Camping

If you’re thinking about camping on Santa Cruz Island, you’re in for a special experience. I was tempted to stay overnight but couldn’t decide, so I opted for a day trip instead. Still, camping there provides a great chance to enjoy its natural beauty and peace.

The main campground is near Scorpion Ranch, with well-maintained sites just a short walk from the ferry dock. Staying overnight lets you experience the island after day visitors leave, enjoying quiet sunsets at Cavern Point and waking to the sound of waves and the sight of nearby island foxes. The campground offers picnic tables, food storage lockers—which are essential for keeping wildlife away from your supplies—and restrooms, though you’ll need to bring your own water and gear, as amenities are limited.

Reservations are necessary, and sites can fill up quickly during peak seasons, so plan ahead. And if you're lucky, like I was, you might even spot the island’s famous resident, the island fox!

What do you think? Would you visit the Channel Islands? Which adventure would you choose, or would you do the same itinerary as me? Also, I hope you are lucky like I was, seeing over 4,000 dolphins swimming next to you!