Dear Friend of the National Parks,

Unique and wild, Channel Islands National Park serves as the perfect getaway for a revitalizing experience of wilderness and wellness. Join NPCA on a 5-day, 4-night small-ship cruise aboard the National Geographic Venture as we set sail to this picturesque destination off the Southern California coastline. We’ll explore three of the five islands which make up Channel Islands National Park, plus nearby Catalina Island.

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park
November 6-10, 2021

Trip highlights include:

• Kayak, stand-up paddleboard, hike or relax ashore and enjoy the wild and remote island landscapes.

• See the last major light station built on the West Coast on the striking Anacapa Island.

• Hike to one of only two naturally occurring Torrey pine groves in the world.

• Catch a glimpse of the elusive fox species only found in the Channel Islands.

• Learn how NPCA has worked to protect Channel Islands National Park from threats.

Known as North America’s Galápagos, the Channel Islands and their surrounding waters provide habitat for more than 2,000 species of plants and animals, including 150 native species found nowhere else in the world. See islands so magnificent that they were protected as a national monument in 1938 and later became a national park in 1980. NPCA has worked to remove ranching and hunting operations on Santa Rosa Island, allowing native species to flourish and providing the public with unhindered access to this beautifully isolated place.

After setting sail from Los Angeles, we will explore East Anacapa Island where you can enjoy a scenic hike to Anacapa Lighthouse or, for a more relaxing option, explore Arch Rock via a rugged yet comfortable small watercraft.

Next, we will visit beautiful Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park. Here you will have your choice of activities, including kayaking, hiking, or simply relaxing ashore and enjoying the birdlife or watching for the Channel Island fox. You could also join our naturalists for a more strenuous hike out to the base of the island’s Torrey pines, one of the world’s rarest. Later, end your day with a well-deserved sunset cocktail party.

From there, we’ll head to Santa Catalina Island, where you’ll learn about its colorful history of smugglers and gold-diggers and its transformation into a resort destination by chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley, Jr. During your voyage, you will hear from a Catalina Island Conservancy member who wll provide an informative introduction to their work on the island.

Later in the day, the ship will arrive in Avalon Harbor, where you’ll have time to explore the city of Avalon, the island’s only incorporated city. Visit such landmarks as Avalon Canyon, the Wrigley Monument, the Botanical Garden and the Catalina Casino, built by Wrigley in 1929. Finally, we’ll return to the ship for a farewell dinner and celebrate your last evening at sea under the stars.

Click here to download the full trip brochure (5 MB PDF) for pricing, the day-by-day itinerary and other trip details.

To reserve your spot today, contact me at 202-454-3305 or [email protected]. Thank you for your support.

See you in the parks,


Jared Dial
Travel Program Manager

Photos, top to bottom: Kayaker overlooking California Coastline from Santa Cruz Island © Brian Swanson/Shutterstock; vista from Inspiration Point at Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California © Madelinesalocks/Dreamstime; a rare, wild island fox searching for food on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park © BlueBarronPhoto/Shutterstock.