Santa Catalina is its own day trip. After all, it is just a short distance from the mainland of California. However, there are many locations within Santa Catalina and around the island. Santa Catalina is around the Channel Islands of California. This encompasses eight different islands. Five of these islands are part of the Channel Islands National Park. The eight islands are actually divided among three counties in the state: Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. However, these islands are a world away from the mainland in terms of atmosphere.
Upon examining these islands, you see that they are further divided into two groups: the northern channel and the southern channel. Altogether, there are 221,331 acres. The island channels consist of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, San Nicolas and of course, Santa Catalina. Interestingly, of all these islands Santa Catalina Island has the most civilian development.
Of course, not all of these islands make a comfortable day trip. San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and Anacapa are north of Santa Catalina and the southern islands, and that’s a long ship ride in between. You’re better off hanging around the southern islands and seeing Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clemente. Santa Catalina has two major sections: the resort city of Avalon and the town of Two Harbors.
Geologically speaking, these islands are very similar. Traveling the land, you can expect to see everything from wild goats to island foxes, pelicans and sand creatures. Some of the most popular activities on these day trip locations include camping in Anacapa or San Miguel or Santa Barbara. (A permit can be attained from Park Headquarters in Ventura County)
Remember, these areas will be most enjoyed by nature lovers, scientists and campers-at heart who don’t mind roughing it. There is not a great deal of resort-like activity in these other islands at all. However, if you come, you will be treated to numerous flora and fauna life. You can access these day trip areas by boat or cruise.
It’s hard to imagine having “enough” of San Catalina, but rest assured plenty of natural territory is out here for you to enjoy.
