I visited 3 of California’s Channel Islands - known as the Galápagos of North America - and they're hidden gems filled with wildlife and stunning beauty

Elisa ParhadApr 24, 2021, 18:28 IST

Santa Rosa Island.Elisa Parhad

Channel Islands National Park consists of five islands off the coast of Southern California.
The islands are a few hours by boat from LA, but they feel like a getaway far from the US.
Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and Anacapa Islands are picturesque, rich in history, and filled with plants and animals that don't exist anywhere else in the world.

Located just hours from LA, the northern Channel Islands are a slice of paradise that feels worlds away from California.

Santa Cruz Island. Elisa Parhad

Visitors must travel by boat or airplane to reach the Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands are off the coast of Southern California. Right: Flowers on Anacapa Island. Google Maps; Elisa Parhad

You can take day trips to the islands, but camping is my favorite way to experience the magic of this remote paradise.

Camping on Santa Cruz Island. Elisa Parhad

Spending the night on one of the Channel Islands isn't a pack-and-go situation. It requires meticulous packing and early wakeups - but it's worth it.

Santa Cruz Island. Elisa Parhad

Each of the Channel Islands has its specialties. Santa Cruz is great for kayaking, snorkeling, and amazing sunsets.

Santa Cruz Island. Elisa Parhad

Santa Rosa Island is filled with epic hiking, elemental beauty, and sandy beaches.

Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

The Water Canyon campsite on Santa Rosa Island gets windy, so campers set up their camps in wind shelters.

Camping on Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

Although Santa Rosa's gems were spread out, there was plenty to explore.

Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

While exploring Santa Rosa, we had a beautiful beach to ourselves at Anchorage Point.

A beach on Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

On both Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, you can expect to hike until your feet hurt - and then find refuge by the crystal-clear waters.

Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

Anacapa Island makes a perfect day trip where you can experience the world of seagulls.

Hiking on Anacapa Island. Elisa Parhad

But to make the most of your day trip to Anacapa, you'll want to visit the island before seagull breeding season, which happens in May.

Anacapa Island. Elisa Parhad

On the Channel Islands, there's no shortage of vibrant plants - and you'll encounter species you can't find anywhere else on Earth.

Torrey Pines on Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

You're bound to come face-to-face with animals unique to the Channel Islands, like the island fox, which is the size of a pet cat.

An island fox on Santa Rosa Island. Elisa Parhad

The islands are home to natural wonders, like a massive sea canyon that looks like it's been hand-painted.

Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island. Elisa Parhad

Several of the Channel Islands were also once used for ranching, and visitors today can see the remnants of the bygone era.

Santa Cruz Island. Elisa Parhad

The Channel Islands harbor an amazing human history that dates back thousands of years and is still being told.

Pondering the lively human history on the islands is an exercise in imagination and wonder. Elisa Parhad

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I visited 3 of California’s Channel Islands - known as the Galápagos of North America - and they're hidden gems filled with wildlife and stunning beauty

Located just hours from LA, the northern Channel Islands are a slice of paradise that feels worlds away from California.

Visitors must travel by boat or airplane to reach the Channel Islands.

You can take day trips to the islands, but camping is my favorite way to experience the magic of this remote paradise.

Spending the night on one of the Channel Islands isn't a pack-and-go situation. It requires meticulous packing and early wakeups - but it's worth it.

Each of the Channel Islands has its specialties. Santa Cruz is great for kayaking, snorkeling, and amazing sunsets.

Santa Rosa Island is filled with epic hiking, elemental beauty, and sandy beaches.

The Water Canyon campsite on Santa Rosa Island gets windy, so campers set up their camps in wind shelters.

Although Santa Rosa's gems were spread out, there was plenty to explore.

While exploring Santa Rosa, we had a beautiful beach to ourselves at Anchorage Point.

On both Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, you can expect to hike until your feet hurt - and then find refuge by the crystal-clear waters.

Anacapa Island makes a perfect day trip where you can experience the world of seagulls.

But to make the most of your day trip to Anacapa, you'll want to visit the island before seagull breeding season, which happens in May.

On the Channel Islands, there's no shortage of vibrant plants - and you'll encounter species you can't find anywhere else on Earth.

You're bound to come face-to-face with animals unique to the Channel Islands, like the island fox, which is the size of a pet cat.

The islands are home to natural wonders, like a massive sea canyon that looks like it's been hand-painted.

Several of the Channel Islands were also once used for ranching, and visitors today can see the remnants of the bygone era.

The Channel Islands harbor an amazing human history that dates back thousands of years and is still being told.