Whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, make sure to add Santa Cruz Island to your California photo itinerary and take lots of photos (I failed at it.)
Last updated: August 30, 2024
Santa Cruz Island
It’s hard to believe that more than seven years have passed since our first trip to Santa Cruz Island, the largest island in Channel Islands National Park. We planned and postponed, then started from the beginning and planned our trip again. This cycle seemed to never end.
Something more important was always coming up at the last moment, until one day Roshan and I just said, “Let’s go to Santa Cruz Island tomorrow.” And so we did. I still can’t completely comprehend how quickly it all happened. One day we were just talking about the trip to Santa Cruz, and the next day a small boat, operated by Island Packers, departed from Ventura Harbor and took us to one of the five islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park.
We were somewhat lucky. With the summer busyness gone, in late August we had no problems with buying our ferry tickets at the last moment. A few months prior to that, when Channel Islands National Park concessionaire boats sailing to Santa Cruz were fully booked, we’d have to reserve our seats in advance.
Is the Trip to Santa Cruz Island Worth It?
Santa Cruz Island is one of the easiest day trips from LA to national parks we’ve taken in the past few years. With a little bit over one hour drive from the city to Ventura Harbor and less than two hours on the boat, you spend most of your time enjoying the ride from the “passenger” seat while watching seals and sea lions and often even dolphins and whales swimming in the Pacific Ocean.
The island itself is a dream destination for hikers, kayakers, divers, and photographers. One of the ecologically richest islands in the world, Santa Cruz provides outstanding views and photo opportunities for nature and wildlife lovers.
Most of inland Santa Cruz is accessible on foot. The shores, except for Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoner’s Harbor, two landing sites, however, deprive the hikers of the chance to get closer, but welcome kayakers. The majority of the secluded coves, hidden harbors, and elusive caves can be reached only from the water.
We managed to see and take lots of photos of Potato Harbor, one of the sheltered areas of the Santa Cruz shores. But that was it. Hiking down to the cove was impossible.
Photographing Wildlife on the Way to Island
One of the main reasons you want to book a trip to Channel Islands National Park is the opportunity to watch and photograph diverse marine wildlife off the California coast. We, however, hardly have any photos of seals and whales from this trip to Santa Cruz.
Ironically, I got seasick on the way to the island and back to the mainland. Haft-sitting, haft-lying, and using a table in front of me as a pillow, all I dreamed of was to step on the solid ground. Nevertheless, after an hour or so on the shore, I had enough energy to cover for the lost opportunity.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND TRIP IN PHOTOS
