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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a wonderful family day outing with spectacular views of Anacapa Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park. The trip starts with a 1 hour ride to Anacapa, where you are likely to see pods of porpoises, seals, and large pelicans along the way. After walking up 153 stairs from the sea cliffs to level ground, you can visit a park exhibit and take an easy 2 mile loop trail along the edge of this spectacular island. Rangers provide a narrated walk along the trails, or your can just do your own thing. This is a unique experience not to be missed with crystal clear water, awesome sea caves and arches, and lovely wildflowers in the spring. Trailhead: A company by the name of Island Packers operate shuttle boats that will take you out to Anacapa Island. The boats leave from Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura Harbor. Call Island Packers at (805) 642-1393 to get departure time, rates, and directions to the dock. (Lat:34.01663 Lon:-119.36209) Trail Guides for Anacapa Island: Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) On The Trail - Malibu to Santa Barbara by Cathy Philipp (Cathy Philipp Publishing) California Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Ann Marie Brown (Foghorn Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Channel Islands National Park - (805) 658-5730 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 2 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Paul on 8/21/2003 A boat ride to any place is always fun, but, the island is not all that big, you can walk from one end to the other in 30 minutes. Ispiration point and the lighthouse are cool, but that's it. Campground has NO SHADE WHATESOEVER and you're in the sun the rest of the day, had to stay at the dock most of the day to keep cool. I recommend only overnight at the most and some kind of shade. Good points, great for celestial viewing, and the campground latrine is solar-powered air conditioned! 
Reviewed by Scott on 12/11/2002 I think this is one of those day trips that reminds you why you live in southern california. It has the element of both the ocean and hiking. The trip over was filled with dolphins, seals, and even an occasional blue shark which inhabit the channel is great numbers. Although the "hike" is short, the views are obviously stunning. Anacapa has many dymanic rock formations, most notably the arch at east end. As a diver, I have been to Anacapa many times, and the diving there at times can be extrordinary due to the water clearity. Most, if not all of the waters surrounding Anacapa are protected from taking game, so for snorklers, it can provide an abundance of fish to see. The boat ride and hiking makes for an interesting and varied day! 
Reviewed by Ginny on 8/1/2002 Visited Anacapa on Friday 7/26/02. Beautiful place, great ocean views. If you get sea sick, be sure and take some medication along. The ride is rough 2 hours if seas are high. I spent the trip "feeding" the fish. It would have otherwise been a pleasant ride, very scenic. No one mentioned that this island is a sea gull sanctuary! The smell is not conducive to a picnic lunch! It smelled so bad that the nausea from the boat ride coupled with the smell of the abundant bird droppings was sickening. There are so many bird droppings that the many benches that happen along the scenic trail cant be used for sitting. This picnic tables are as white with droppings as the benches. Cant anyone cleane it up?
Reviewed by Mike on 7/29/2002 The boat ride was short and pleasant (if a bit chilly). There was a group of dolphins searching for food and leaping out of the water near the island. The boat circled around several times to see them. On the island, the views from the cliffs are spectacular. You can see sea lions sunning on the beaches below, incredibly clear water, and, when we went in July, thousands of western gulls tending their young. We went with the guide and he told us lots of interesting things about the vegetation and the animals. A highly recommended day trip...
Reviewed by Sheila on 3/24/2002 This trail is best at the end of March and mid April for the Coreopsis flowers. It is amazing. Otherwise the kids will love the baby seagulls everywhere towards the middle of June. Great place to snorkle also. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Ventura County Hiking, Ventura County Trails, Ventura County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||