2025 Santa Cruz Island Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#landmarks 📍Off the Southern California coast, accessed by boat from Ventura or Oxnard We enjoyed close views of sea lions and other marine life. The islands felt peaceful and natural, with quiet trails and beautiful ocean scenery—an ideal spot to get away and enjoy nature. 🌿 Highlights: • Close sea lion sightings • Diverse marine wildlife • Calm and natural island setting Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #familytrip

#springitinerary Springtime at the Channel Islands was an adventure I’ll never forget! The boat ride over was smooth, and we spotted dolphins and even a few whales along the way. On Santa Cruz Island, the hills were green and sprinkled with golden poppies and lupine in full bloom. I kayaked through sea caves and hiked to scenic overlooks with sweeping ocean views. The cool temps made exploring perfect. #springitinerary must for nature lovers — it feels remote and wild but still accessible. Pro tip: pack snacks and layers; there are no shops on the islands. Totally worth it!

Santa Cruz Island - Located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, USA, it is the largest of the Channel Islands. One quarter of the island is part of Channel Islands National Park, while the rest is a nature reserve. - Take a ferry to the island and enjoy the sea views along the way. Once on the island, follow the trails to see cliffs, bays, and other beautiful scenery. - From Scorpion Canyon Campground, you can hike to Cavern Point to see whales, or hike to Smugglers Cove to enjoy the beach. - The island is home to endemic species such as the island scrub jay and island fox, which can be seen at Scorpion Ranch Campground. - The island is a great place for kayaking, with hundreds of sea caves to explore. Painted Cave is one of the largest sea caves in the world. Santa Cruz - Since 1907, the boardwalk has made Santa Cruz a classic seaside resort, with beautiful beaches and a pier that extends into Monterey Bay. - The town's Mystery Spot and Mystery Shack attractions allow visitors to experience changes in height and powerful forces, and their mysterious phenomena attract many tourists. Travel tips - Food: Santa Cruz's bacon burrito is made by wrapping diced meat, chives, and other ingredients in dough and baking it, giving it a unique flavor. Santa Cruz's Fisherman's Wharf has crab sandwiches that you can enjoy while taking in the sea views. - Transportation: Take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island, and walk or rent a car to get around Santa Cruz. - Accommodation: Santa Cruz has a variety of accommodation options, and Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island offers a unique camping experience.

#islandtour Channel lsland has been on my list for a long time, but I don't have the strength to come and visit Channel lsland National Park separately. He used to watch many attacks and said to try to avoid being affected by strong winds. The weather depends on the weather, which is difficult to control. I chose to invite a group of physical strength kings to go together. By brushing through those arch rocks&caves and having the opportunity to have intimate contact with marine animals, I have been tempted and can only take a boat to Island Packer. This is one of the ways to land on the island, and it is necessary to book about two weeks in advance (72 hours in advance for free refund). The departure port will be Ventura or Oxnad, and the landing point is recommended to choose Scorpion, which needs to be arrived one hour in advance. Landing method: