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Channel Islands -- California
Descriptive:
Located just across from Santa Barbara the Channel Island chain stretches along the Southern California coast in the Pacific Ocean. The dramatic rocky shores of these five islands are reminiscent of Nova Scotia and the northern Atlantic. Chumash Indians lived on these islands for nearly 6,000 years, until the early 19th century. It is now a protected marine sanctuary and a delicate ecosystem for many types of wildlife.
Flying fish dart through the waves, skipping along the water's surface or momentarily take to the air. Dolphin are spotted with regularity as they frolic about in the water, traveling in groups, and sometimes swimming playfully alongside the boats as they come and go.
Numerous species of whale swim the waters near this marine sanctuary as they roam the coast and the deep reaches of the Pacific.
Sharks, too, inhabit these waters. More than twenty-five species pass through the Channel Islands, their dorsal fins slicing through the waves. Pinnipeds include the lion seal, fur seal and elephant seal, who all find sanctuary in this serene ocean habitat.
Kelp grows in great forests under the water line. On land, the coreopsis, called the tree sunflower because of its "trunk", sometimes grows densely enough its yellow blossom can be seen from the mainland.
Geography/terrain:
The predominant feature of the Channel islands is they rise like straight cliffs out of the sea, with water on all four sides. Each has its own place to moor a boat, and several beaches do exist on the islands, sloping gently down to the water's edge.
Vegetation:
Kelp
Coreopsis
Wildlife:
Flying fish
Dolphin
Whale
Sharks
Pinnipeds
Lion seal
Fur seal
Elephant seal
BR>Birds:
Gulls
Pelican
Cormorants
Key locations:
Anacapa Island is the closest island to the mainland, and actually composed of three small islets. It's a long climb up concrete stairs from where the boat is moored to the top of the island. From there, a 1 1/2 mile nature trail traverses precipitous cliffs -- 150 feet above the sea.
Of the three islets, East Anacapa is the only one open to the general public. Diving, with special permit only, is allowed on Middle Anacapa island, which provides underwater access to great kelp forests, underwater caves and the shipwreck of the Winfield Scott.
West Anacapa island, with the exception of Frenchy's Cove Beach, is entirely closed to the general public. The brown pelican nests on West Anacapa, and the island is closed for their protection. The island's south side is well-known for its exceptional tidepools.
Santa Cruz island is the largest island at 96 square miles. Devil's Peak rises 2,400 feet for a clear view of the neighboring islands. The diverse terrain of shoreline cliffs and rolling hills was the primary homestead for the Chumash Indians. A permit is required simply to land on this island, and approximately one-tenth of the island is privately held.
Santa Rosa island consists largely of lush grassland which blanket the greater portion; though beautiful indeed, these grasslands are not native.
San Miguel boasts the best examples of caliche "forests", a surreal landscape of calcium carbonate crust which forms in arid regions.
Santa Barbara island is a breeding place for sea mammals, including the sea lion and the elephant seal, which can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds.
Activities:
Whale-watching is superb during the period of December through April, when the Pacific Gray Whale migrates though the Santa Barbara Channel on their 6,000-10,000 mile journey to breeding grounds off the coast of Mexico. More than 27 other species of whales and porpoises inhabit these waters, and are occasionally sighted.
