What Is Santa Rosa Island?
There are a total of eight islands lining the deep Santa Barbara Channel, each with unique ecosystems and endemic species. Only five make up Channel Islands National Park; Santa Rosa is the third closest and the second largest of these!
What Makes It Beautiful?
Santa Rosa Island could not be more different from its neighbor, Santa Cruz. Whereas Santa Cruz is harsh, dry, and jagged, Santa Rosa is a soft, olive green island with rolling hills, deep valleys, and white sand beaches! It is an inviting and comforting island, surrounded by clear, deep, blue water, and it is one of the least developed of the islands (it doesn’t even have a welcome sign), letting you enjoy the fresh air and soothing sounds of the ocean! Here, you can find gorgeous groves of Torrey pines and gaze out over the plains that once housed herds of pygmy mammoths!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with the National Park Service!
- Donate to the Channel Islands Park Foundation!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
The only official way to get to the Channel Islands is to visit Island Packers and take a boat. The total boating time is about an hour. Here is the address:
1691 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
Boats go to Santa Rosa Island between late April and early November, so really any time between those two months should make for a wonderful trip!
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