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14758
California

Channel Islands National Park: Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands

Explore the pristine ecology of Channel Islands National Park, discovering a wealth of unique flora, fauna and geology as you learn the islands’ story from local naturalists.
Rating (4.79)
Program No. 14758RJ
Length
6 days
Starts at
1,259
California

Channel Islands National Park: Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands

Explore the pristine ecology of Channel Islands National Park, discovering a wealth of unique flora, fauna and geology as you learn the islands’ story from local naturalists.
Length
6 days
Starts at
1,259
Program No. 14758 RJ

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climate
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itinerary
Please Note:
The itinerary for this program is different on certain dates.
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jan 30 - Feb 4, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

This departure will not include Anacapa Island due to pier construction and will visit Santa Cruz Island twice.

Feb 20 - Feb 25, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Mar 20 - Mar 25, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Apr 10 - Apr 15, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Apr 24 - Apr 29, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

May 15 - May 20, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

May 22 - May 27, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Jun 5 - Jun 10, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Aug 21 - Aug 26, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Sep 11 - Sep 16, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Oct 16 - Oct 21, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Nov 6 - Nov 11, 2022
Starting at
1,259
Jan 29 - Feb 3, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Feb 19 - Feb 24, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Mar 19 - Mar 24, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Apr 2 - Apr 7, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Apr 23 - Apr 28, 2023
Starting at
1,549
May 14 - May 19, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Sep 10 - Sep 15, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Oct 15 - Oct 20, 2023
Starting at
1,549
Nov 5 - Nov 10, 2023
Starting at
1,549
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jan 30 - Feb 4, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

This departure will not include Anacapa Island due to pier construction and will visit Santa Cruz Island twice.

Feb 20 - Feb 25, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Mar 20 - Mar 25, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Apr 10 - Apr 15, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Apr 24 - Apr 29, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

May 15 - May 20, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

May 22 - May 27, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Jun 5 - Jun 10, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Itinerary Note

Santa Rosa Island will replace Anacapa Island due to pier construction.

Aug 21 - Aug 26, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Sep 11 - Sep 16, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Oct 16 - Oct 21, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Nov 6 - Nov 11, 2022
Starting at
1,599
Jan 29 - Feb 3, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Feb 19 - Feb 24, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Mar 19 - Mar 24, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Apr 2 - Apr 7, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Apr 23 - Apr 28, 2023
Starting at
1,919
May 14 - May 19, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Sep 10 - Sep 15, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Oct 15 - Oct 20, 2023
Starting at
1,919
Nov 5 - Nov 10, 2023
Starting at
1,919

At a Glance

Relatively untouched by modern culture, California’s Channel Islands National Park is an oasis of natural splendor. Journey by boat and experience two of the five islands that comprise the park — Anacapa, with its steep sea cliffs and lighthouse, and Santa Cruz, the most diverse. Get up close to the island’s rich array of plant life, sea birds and mammals — some found nowhere else in the world – and explore Ventura like a local as you immerse yourself in the treasures of this region.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles on uneven terrain. Climbing ladder and stairs.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Join local naturalists who add expert insight during expeditions to Channel Islands National Park.
  • Discover how the islands’ isolation has created a unique ecosystem as you study endemic plants, interesting geology and more.
  • Trace the human history from the native Chumash people to explorers, fur traders, ranchers and scientists.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Margery Spielman
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver. As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Margery Spielman
Margery Spielman View biography
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver. As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.
Profile Image of Shannon Harmon
Shannon Harmon View biography
Over the course of Shannon Harmon’s distinguished career, she worked as a guide, interpreter and supervisor in California State Parks for 40 years as well as a Ranger Interpreter with the Bureau of Land Management and a California high school teacher. She has been a Lewis and Clark enthusiast since high school, and is thrilled to have been working the Lewis and Clark tours with Road Scholar since 2011. She plays the hammered dulcimer and enjoys singing, drawing, painting, photography, sewing and traveling.
Profile Image of Jenny Peterson
Jenny Peterson View biography
Jenny Peterson is a native Minnesotan who has lived there all but her college years in California. After working most of her life in local government, she realized retirement was not for her and now works part-time in the airline industry. With her husband of over 35 years, she has four children adopted from the Philippines. Now that her kids are older, she has the time to pursue her hobbies including bridge (who needs a 4th?) and leading Road Scholar programs, her favorite “job” ever!
Profile Image of Ken McAlpine
Ken McAlpine View biography
Ken McAlpine is an award-winning author who has written for various magazines ranging including National Geographic, winning three Lowell Thomas awards — travel writing's top award. Ken was born in Hong Kong and spent his childhood in Southeast Asia. He continued to travel throughout his life while writing, working on assignments from diving with white sharks to running the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Ken currently lives in Ventura and likes to stand in his yard at night, looking at the stars.
Profile Image of Don Morris
Don Morris View biography
Don Morris retired in 2001 after enjoying a forty-one year career as a National Park Service archeologist, the last 16 years of which he spent at Channel Islands National Park. There he investigated and reported upon subjects ranging from historic shipwrecks and farmhouses to what are currently the oldest known human remains in North America, the Arlington Woman. In 1994, he worked as the project archeologist on the excavation of the most complete (94% or thereabouts) pygmy mammoth ever located on the Channel Islands.
Profile Image of Terri Blake Dano
Terri Blake Dano View biography
Terri Blake Dano lives in Santa Monica, California, along with her husband and two step kids. She graduated from California State University Chico with a bachelor’s in business and merchandising. Terri has been in the wholesale garment industry for over 25 years. Well regarded in her industry, she has enjoyed a rich and rewarding career as a Wholesale Representative. Born in San Francisco, Terri has explored the globe. Some of her favorite activities include skiing, paddle boarding and mountain biking.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Natural History of the Islands of California
by Allan A. Schoenherr, C. Robert Feldmeth, Michael J. Emerson (Illustrator), David Mooney (Illustrator)
A survey of the ecology, geology and human history of California's coastal islands.
Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge of Civilization
by Ken McAlpine
McAlpine travels solo through Channel Islands National Park in California for week-long stretches while returning to the mainland intermittently. He mixes both experiences in this meditation on contemporary American life.
Justinian Caire and Santa Cruz Island: The Rise and Fall of a California Dynasty
by Frederic Claire Chiles
This history of one of California’s Channel Islands covers everything from the island’s original Chumash population to its acquisition by the Nature Conservancy. Special attention is paid to the 50 years when the island was owned by Justinian Caire and family. The author, a descendant of the Caire family, uses family archives to flesh out his tale.
California the Beautiful
by Galen Rowell (Photographer)
Rowell's exquisite photographs are accompanied by excerpts from Joan Didion, M.F.K. Fisher, Jack London, William Saroyan and many other luminaries in this celebration of the nature and spirit of California.
California's Channel Islands: A History
by Scott O'Dell
The Channel Islands, a string of eight islands off the coast of Southern California, are home to stunning landscapes and remarkable biodiversity. This scholarly work covers ecology as well as natural and human history.
The Golden Shore, California's Love Affair With the Sea
by David Helvarg
In this eminently readable and well-researched tribute, Helvarg, an environmental journalist and filmmaker, considers the crosscurrents of culture, history, economy and myth that come together on the state’s golden shores.
Images of America: The California Channel Islands
by Marla Daily
This Images of America installment introduces all eight of the Channel Islands, located off the coast of Southern California. Features archival photographs.
A Guide to East Santa Cruz Island: Trails, Routes and What to Bring
by Don Morris
These tips for travelers to East Santa Cruz Island help them enjoy the island to the fullest.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to California
by Peter Alden
A compact, easy-to-use guide to 1,000 California trees, wildflowers, mammals, insects, birds and other flora and fauna.
Channel Islands National Park
by National Geographic Maps
A National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of the Channel Islands at a scale of 1:25,000. Waterproof, durable and tear-resistant, it is the perfect map to take along to the islands.
Images of America: Ventura
by Glenda Jackson
Local historian Jackson covers the history of Ventura, California, from the dedication of Mission San Buenaventura to its present status as the Gateway to the Channel Islands and home to more than 100,000. Includes archival photos.
Santa Cruz Island: A History of Conflict and Diversity
by John Gherini
In this thorough history of the largest Channel Island, Gherini introduces the Chumash Indians who lived on the island in pre-Columbian times and details early European explorers and the Spanish-Mexican period, when the island became a haven for smugglers.
California, A History
by Kevin Starr
A lively short history in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series, written by a renowned historian.





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