Channel Islands National Park

Anacapa Island

Arch Rock, a forty-foot natural bridge carved by waves, rises above volcanic sea cliffs, and about 30 sea caves are tucked along the shoreline. Most visitors stay on East Anacapa, where roughly two miles of trail wind across gentle slopes to viewpoints in a figure-eight loop. Inspiration Point, a bluff at the end of one route, looks across the three islets and out toward Santa Cruz. The island's lighthouse, lit in 1932, sits a short walk from the landing and was the final permanent light built along the West Coast. Western gulls nest across the island from spring into summer, so expect noise, odor and birds guarding their territory. Boats also reach Frenchy's Cove, a small beach on West Anacapa where the biggest group of nesting California brown pelicans gathers.

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz is the largest island in the park and the one with the most things to do. Its peaks, canyons and craggy shoreline shelter the island fox and the island scrub-jay, and the scrub-jay lives on no other island. Boats land at Scorpion Anchorage, where a guided concession leads sea kayak trips into the sea caves. Painted Cave ranks among the planet's biggest sea caves, and paddlers heading west toward Cavern Point or east toward Scorpion Rock often see wildlife along the way. On foot, the 5.2-mile Potato Harbor loop draws more hikers than any other route here, and longer trails climb into the interior. Campers can stay at the Scorpion Ranch campground, though they should be ready for strong winds, fog and little shade.

Santa Rosa Island

At about 53,000 acres, this is the state's second largest island, marked by rolling hills, deep canyons and a high central ridge. Its shoreline shifts from wide sandy beaches and dunes to a coastal lagoon and sheer cliffs. Six plant species grow here and nowhere else, and the island fox, spotted skunk and island deer mouse are native mammals found only in this island group. Hikers can follow a level route to Water Canyon Beach or a rugged, mountainous path toward Black Mountain. Cherry Canyon is a shorter walk that some manage on a day trip. Boats arrive at Bechers Bay, where a small campground sits roughly a mile and a half from the landing point. The Chumash called the island Wima, meaning driftwood, for the logs currents brought ashore to build plank canoes.

San Miguel Island

The westernmost island takes the full force of North Pacific wind and fog, so its weather stays windswept and harsh. Point Bennett, at the western tip, is one of the largest wildlife concentrations in the world, where up to five pinniped species breed, pup and haul out, with more than 30,000 animals at times. Reaching it means an all-day, ranger-guided hike on designated trails, because off-trail walking is not permitted and the former bombing range may still hold unexploded ordnance. A permit and liability waiver are required before going ashore. Native plants are returning after a century of sheep ranching, and overnight visitors can camp. Cuyler Harbor Beach and the Cabrillo Monument are open for exploring when visitors are not with a ranger.

Santa Barbara Island

The smallest Channel Island rises as a one-square-mile mesa with steep cliffs and twin peaks, the higher being Signal Peak at 634 feet. Those cliffs make ideal nesting ground for Scripps's murrelets, rare seabirds that breed here in one of the largest colonies known. Coreopsis and other wildflowers brighten the island in late winter and spring, and several endemic plants grow nowhere else. Boat access is limited to Landing Cove, the island's only landing area, and a climb of about 200 feet leads to the top. From there, hiking trails of just over five miles lead to overlooks where seals and sea lions can be watched, including the Elephant Seal Cove overlook. Camping is available, but campers must bring all their own food and water, since no services exist. The endemic island night lizard also lives here.