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Channel Islands National Park

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.
— Andre Gide
Treasured Islands
Rich in history and long in ocean miles, Channel Islands offers a unique opportunity for ocean, land, and history-loving park goers. Hop onboard and see what you might find. You’ll probably be surprised.

Channel Islands has five islands (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara) off the coast of southern California, near Los Angeles.

The entire park consists of 249,354 acres, half of which are under the ocean, and is home to a wide variety of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural resources. The park provides truly unique opportunities for visitors to experience California’s natural beauty beneath the sea.

Channel Islands was designated a U.S. National Monument in 1938, and then a Biosphere Reserve in 1976. Established as Channel Islands National Park in 1980, this park includes a marine sanctuary that protects six nautical miles of water around the park itself.

Seafaring fans can find almost anything nautical to enjoy here: from stunning beaches to unparalleled diving experiences to boating between the islands. Landlovers can find spectacular hiking opportunities on all five islands, and one established campground on each of the islands. History buffs can get their fix learning about the park’s almost 13,000 years of human history.

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