Channel Islands National Park

Visited: Nov 2016

Nearby metro: Los Angeles, CA; ferries leave from: Ventura, CA and Oxnard, CA

About 30-50 miles off the coast of southern California, lies an rugged, beautiful, volcanic island chain seemingly an entire world away from the bustling megalopolis of LA. The Channel Islands are made up of eight islands, the most famous of which is Santa Catalina Island. The Park protects five (5) of the eight islands. Four of the islands form a somewhat horizontal line, from east to west: Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and San Miguel Island. The fifth island lies far to the southeast of the other four, tiny Santa Barbara Island.

If you don't have your own boat, you're at the mercy of Island Packers' to visit the Park. They have year-round ferries that travel to Anacapa Island from Oxnard, CA. Anacapa Island is a small, picturesque island good for day-trippers. No camping is allowed on the island, so no overnight stays. Island Packers also has year round ferry service to Santa Cruz Island, leaving from Ventura, CA to two different ports: (1) Scorpion Ranch and (2) Prisoners Harbor. Santa Cruz is the largest island of not only the Channel Islands but all of California. Lots of camping opportunities here, but also good day trips at either of the two ports. Island Packers also offers ferry service to the other 3 islands, but it is very seasonal and there are not a lot of options. If you do camp, you have to pack in everything, there are no services on any of the islands.

We made reservations to take the ferry to Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island. The pier at Scorpion Ranch had been destroyed in a storm a few months before we visited and was under repair. Therefore, you needed to go on a small skiff from the boat to the shore. The day we visited had very high winds causing high waves and Island Packers did not want to operate the skiff due to the dangerous weather. Therefore, they offered a refund or to go to the alternate port on Santa Cruz Island, Prisoners Harbor. No sandy beach there, but some scenic hiking and other fun to be had as well. So, although we didn't go to our first choice, it was a good trip. Just be flexible with planning your visit here, it is very dependent on the weather. Despite the high swells, it was a beautiful day on the island.

the dock at Prisoners Harbor

The harbor is so named by an attempt to turn the island into a penal colony. It was home to about 30 convicts in the mid-1800s. It was not popular and the idea was eventually abandoned, but some of the structures built by the prisoners remain. Another interesting sight on the island is the endemic (exclusive) species, the Channel Island Fox.

Channel Fox

We then went on a short informal hike around the area. It was very pleasant.

We then hung out at the pier for the afternoon, waiting for the ferry to take us back to the mainland.

The highlight of the trip was the ferry ride. It took about an hour and half each way. The swells were pretty bad, so I got motion sick. But we saw lots of wildlife: harbor seals, dolphins, and even some humpback whales!

the marina in Ventura

pelican

oil rigs in the distance

dolphins liked to play in the wake

We were lucky to spot some humpback whales. I had never seen a whale in nature before.

the "fluke-print" left by the whale's tail

On our ferry ride back we saw another humpback whale for good measure. Check out the Park website for more info: https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm

in the distance is Arch Rock, off the coast of Anacapa Island

Perfect ending to a perfect day.

Joshua Tree National Park

Visited: Nov 2016

Nearby metro: Los Angeles, CA; nearby town: Twentynine Palms, CA (north entrance); Joshua Tree, CA (west entrance)

In the Mojave Desert just an hour outside of LA (but seemingly a world away) is the desert wilderness of Joshua Tree National Park. The desert has a reputation of being barren, featureless, boring, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It might be a harsh beauty, but a beauty nonetheless. The desert is an acquired taste, and Joshua Tree is a great way to acquire that taste. It will get you hooked on the desert. Just make sure to visit in the cooler months of winter, spring, or fall. So, enjoy your trip to a place where the streets have no name. (Get it? You see, it's funny because...I'm sorry, I'll stop).

Our first stop in the Park was the Cholla Cactus Garden. A little preview before we get to the eponymous more famous plant of the Park. Take the easy quarter-mile hike through this dense "forest" of Teddy Bear Cholla. Visit sometime between March-May to see the Cholla cacti bloom.

Don't touch!

Once you're done gazing on the Teddy Bear Cholla, you might realize that you still haven't found what you are looking for (I apologize, I wasn't going to do that anymore). Head to the Jumbo Rocks region. Here we got our first glimpse of the Joshua Tree. It isn't actually a tree (although very tree-like), it's a yucca. Scientific name is Yucca brevifolia. When Mormon pioneers first sighted the plant, they were reminded of the Biblical Joshua, raising his arms up to the sky in prayer. Therefore, they named it Joshua Tree, and the name stuck. The plant blooms between February and April.

The highlight of Jumbo Rocks is, of course, the Rocks. Joshua Tree is a mecca for climbers, there's all sorts of rocks to climb on, offering challenges from the novice to the most experienced. Jumbo Rocks is a giant natural playground. Take the short hike to Skull Rock (or you can park right alongside the road to see it).

Giant Marbles

Skull Rock is a popular spot.

As you continue to drive along the Park Boulevard, take a stop wherever you like and soak in the views of the Joshua Trees. They really are beautiful. Even if you don't like them, I'll enjoy them...with or without you. (That's the last one, I promise! Again, sorry).

Take the detour off the main road to go to Keys View for a great view of San Bernardino Mountains, Coachella Valley and Palm Springs.

Our last stop was Hidden Valley. This is a great mile hike in what is indeed a hidden valley, separate from the rest of the park. We spent a lot of time watching amateur rock climbers. A very pleasant hike.

Entrance fee is $25/vehicle. More info here: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm Joshua Tree is a great getaway from the sprawling metropolis that is LA. The desert is an unappreciated beauty. It is truly God's country (sorry, one last U2 reference) 😊