Attraction: Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz is the largest of the Channel Islands, covering more than 60,000 acres. The highest of the Channel Islands mountains is found here, and the shoreline cliffs, beaches, offshore rocks, and tidepools provide important breeding habitat for colonies of nesting sea birds and diverse plants and animals. Of the 85 plant species native to the Channel Islands, nine occur only on Santa Cruz.

 

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Expert Review of Santa Cruz Island

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Beach Review of Santa Cruz Island

Away Travel Expert: Christine Loomis

Beach Expert Favorite
BeachExpert Rating Recommended for:
Scuba Diving,Snorkeling

BeachExpert Tips & Helpful Hints

• The National Park Service owns only 24 percent of the island, the Nature Conservancy owns the western 76 percent and offers very limited access. Santa Cruz is 96-plus square miles, making it California's largest island. Even if access to western Santa Cruz is limited, the eastern part of the island has 14,500 acres to explore.
• Santa Cruz offers the park's best swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Scorpion Anchorage, Smugglers Cove, and Prisoners Harbor all offer beach access, and for those who like to dive or kayak in sea caves, Santa Cruz has some, including Painted Cave, one of the world's largest known sea caves (kayakers cannot get out of their boats in caves and should wear helmets).
• One of the park's best hikes is from Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay (accessible through the Nature Conservancy when it offers one-day trips). Look for the endemic island scrub jay, found only on Santa Cruz and nowhere else in the world.

Active and Adventure Review of Santa Cruz Island

Away Travel Expert: Karen Kefauver

Active Expert Favorite
ActiveExpert Rating Recommended for:
Canoeing,Day Hiking,Sea Kayaking,Walking

Active and AdventureExpert Tips & Helpful Hints

• Santa Cruz is the largest of all the Channel Islands. The Nature Conservancy and National Park Service share ownership and management of this island.
• A perfect spot for bird-watchers with over 140 species. There are plenty of hiking opportunities here as well ranging from easy to strenuous. Go to the National Park Service website and check out the Channel Islands-Santa Cruz Island page to download the hiking guide.
• Kayakers should take advantage of the Painted Cave. Located on the northwest side of the island, the cave is 100 feet wide, and sometimes you will see resident seals and sea lions swimming by. In spring you may also get lucky and glide through the waterfall at the entrance.

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Address:
Channel Islands National Park
California

Price: free; $15 per night for camping

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Visitor Information

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Attractions Near Santa Cruz Island

• Torrey Pines Trail Channel Islands National Park, CA - 18.6 mi.
• Anacapa Island Channel Islands National Park, CA - 19.1 mi.
• Santa Barbara Island CA - 19.2 mi.
• Caliche Forest CA - 19.2 mi.
• Santa Cruz Island Ventura, CA - 19.2 mi.
• Western Santa Cruz Island CA - 19.2 mi.
• East Anacapa Island Trail Channel Islands National Park, CA - 21.0 mi.
• Santa Rosa Island CA - 22.0 mi.
• Leadbetter Beach Santa Barbara, CA - 26.7 mi.
• Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Santa Barbara, CA - 26.8 mi.

Hotels Near Santa Cruz Island

• National Park Campground Santa Cruz Island Channel Islands, - 2.7 mi.
• National Park Campground Santa Rosa Island Channel Islands, - 18.2 mi.
• Santa Barbara Island Campground Ventura, - 18.9 mi.
• Santa Rosa Island Campground Ventura, - 18.9 mi.
• Scorpion Ranch Campground Ventura, - 18.9 mi.
• National Park Campground Anacapa Channel Islands, - 21.1 mi.
• BEST WESTERN Beachside Inn Santa Barbara, - 27.2 mi.
• West Beach Inn Santa Barbara, - 27.2 mi.
• Inn by the Harbor Santa Barbara, - 27.2 mi.
• Days Inn Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, - 27.2 mi.