Ventura, Ca 93001 Hiking options at Prisoners Harbor are much more limited both in number and in time on island, but one of the best hikes on the island is located here as well as a secret hike. There are no kayak rentals on island, so take care of this in advance. However, there is no water at Prisoners Harbor so visitors must bring all their water with them. Ventura to Prisoners Hbr SCI 9:00 AM. Get quick answers from Island Packers staff and past visitors. Sea conditions are generally agreeable, crowds are fewer and pleasant weather is the norm. Although you might come across a number of foxes during your day on the island, consider yourself lucky because the island fox almost went extinct back in the 1990s due indirect downstream effects of human use of DDT on the mainlanda good reminder that our decisions on the mainland have a great impact on these seemingly isolated island ecosystems. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. After just over a mile of hiking, a trail to Del Norte campground breaks off from this road, which is only 3.5 miles from Prisoners. Maybe youll seek out endemic species, maybe youll explore the giant kelp forests, or maybe youll even walk where humans have thrived for over 10,000 years. Prevailing wind comes from the northwest, so Id recommend paddling west first to avoid getting stuck downwind as the wind picks up in the afternoon. Fishing is allowed on Santa Cruz Island outside of the marine reserves. Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Ventura. Best viewing is at Prisoners Harbor, but they are also spotted around the Scorpion area as well. On these trips travel time to Prisoners Harbor can be 2 hours or more with a beautiful cruise along the rugged shoreline of Santa Cruz Island. Once youve made a decision, you can clickhereto book your tickets! . 2021Outdoor Project. We roll out 350 feet of rode before dropping the shoreside anchor then adjust our position to get about 200 ft. of rode on the seaside and 150 ft. on the land side. If youre running short on time, there is an option to cut the hike short and descend down Potato Road to the upper campground as a more straight shot to the beach. Picnic tables are located near the pier, and 1.3 uphill miles at the Del Norte trail head. At Scorpion Anchorage, picnic tables are available at the beach and near the ranch area. Santa Cruz Island does not have the stereotypical hazards like bears or bison, but the isolated island does have some things to watch out for. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Visitor Center A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. The campground is broken into two sections with most of the regular sites closer to the pier and the group sites in the back. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and more.Download before you go so you can use it offline at the islands! Once on the water, there is no shortage of sea caves and kelp forest to explore in both directions. Scorpion SCI to E. Anacapa 11:00 AM. You wont have much time here for a day hike, so Id usually recommend this for a camping trip. The other 76 percent is owned by The Nature Conservancy. With more sea cave kayaking opportunities than any other part of the park, Scorpion Anchorage is the ultimate destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and kayaking enthusiasts. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. Scorpion is home to the largest campground and highest consolidation of day hike options in comparison to all other stops and islands. View Our Latest Marine Mammal Sightings Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Map updates are paused. The visitor center includes an orientation area that helps visitors plan a safe trip on the island and a variety of interactive exhibits that describe the island's tremendous biodiversity, rich cultural history, and current resource issues. Kids & dogs welcome! The guides are fun and knowledgable about the island. Seasickness always gets someone. You can do day hikes at either location. A 31-site campground area begins one mile from the pier and is an easy flat walk. There is water available at Scorpion Anchorage. There aren't many, and with the exception of Scorpion Cove and its nearby campground, few are convenient. Intensity and duration of the bloom differs a bit each year due to varied rainfall and temperature.Many Channel crossings this time of year include Gray Whale sightings. No fishing is allowed at Scorpion Anchorage since it is within a marine reserve. You may cross over a very small stream, or two, in the first couple of miles, but don't count on there being water there unless it's rained recently, and there is nothing after that. Prisoners Harbor day trip visitors can participate in a moderately strenuous hike along the Pelican Bay Trail with an Island Packer naturalist. Goods and Services For this reason, I couldnt recommend them enough! Thanks to our lackadaisical pace we didn't pull into the campsite until right around dark. For those looking for an easy trail but can handle some elevation gain,Cavern Point Loopoffers the most beautiful views in the quickest time. Also, the only visitor center is in a tiny shack called Harveys Hut up on a bluff. This trail is 8 miles out and back total, and gains quite a bit of elevation. I am not as a seasoned hiker as I should be! For those looking to cover more ground, there are a few more strenuous options for you to explore. Be sure to clean your fish outside the MPA. The largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island has a diverse terrain with mountains, cliffs, and canyons, as well as many endemic plant and animal species. As a quick summary, Id say your best chance of seeing a fox is at Scorpion and best chance of seeing a scrub jay or other specific bird species is at Prisoners, though both can be found at both locations. A population of invasive feral pigs ended up on the island which attracted golden eagles who in turn started to hunt the foxes. On days that the concessionaire boats run to Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor, guided hikes may be offered by national park volunteers or concessionaire naturalists. There are no other visitor centers on the island. They are also quite intelligent and have learned that humans are not so intelligent, so they tend to hang out near picnic tables and campsites. 805-642-1393, 3550 Harbor Blvd We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Altogether youll walk a little over half of a mile. The channel crossing for a Prisoners Harbor day trip is approximately 1 .5 to 2 hours depending on vessel route and possible stops at Scorpion Anchorage. The island fox is incredibly cute and bold, having been the top land predator for thousands of years. Scorpion campground fills up quickly on weekends and during the warmer months, and has been getting more and more popular. Within a quarter mile, youll rise above the trees and catch a glimpse of Prisoners Harbor from above. The Channel Island National Park visitor center is located on Ventura Harbor at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001. This hike will wind you through the most ecosystem diversity in the shortest distance on Santa Cruz Island. 3 bedrooms. Prisoners Harbor is the option to take a guided kayak tour a service currently only offered at Scorpion. There are 140 species of land birds, 11 land mammal species, three amphibian and five reptile species. NOAA Weather Marine Forecast for Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, CA Today High : 55F W wind 10 to 15 kt. Primitive camping is available at the Scorpion Canyon Campground (31 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Unfortunately, there really arent any super beginner hiking options at Prisoners Harbor. No fishing is allowed at Scorpion Anchorage since it is within a marine reserve. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. You can hike up around the area on nice trails and have great views of the ocean. The road eventually ended leaving us on an honest to god faint hiking trail involving the occasional bouldery bit. Id recommend referring to both websites before booking anything to be sure that the ferry and campsite availability lines up for the days you plan to visit. Visitors to Prisoners Harbor can join the guided hike, hike on their own, swim in the ocean, enjoy the pier, snorkel through shoreline kelp forests, or just relax on the cobblestone beach. If unique animal sightings are what youre after, both Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor will give you ample viewing opportunities of island animals. Harbor View Inn vs Hilton Santa Barbara w/ adult children 18 October 2022; Hearst Castle 17 October 2022; Who has the best clam chowder? There is NO FRESH/Potable water at this area of the island. Prisoners Harbor is much less popular than Scorpion Cove, so activities there take a bit more planning. While visitors may explore the national park property on Santa Cruz Island, no hiking is allowed beyond the national park boundary onto The Nature Conservancy property. We will just be going for the day and I'm trying to figure out which part of the island is the best to go to. Possession of a valid California state fishing license with an ocean enhancement stamp is required and all California Department of Fish and Game regulations apply.More I highly recommend the Pelican Bay Trail in the springtime because of the rich diversity of flowering plant species many of which are endemic to the island. And Prisoner's is really only for backpackers. Island Packers recommends visitors utilize the National Park Service App for a more complete island experience.420 + Parks all in one App. The boat was rather packed on the way back and space inside where it was warm was at a premium. This hike is definitely more challenging than Potato Harbor, but offers great views over the hilly bluffs and through Scorpion Canyon. 6. The hike from Prisoners to Scorpion is about 16 miles. If youd like to continue, you can go straight through the back of the upper campground up Scorpion Canyon until youre ready to turn around. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. Four 4-man campsites are located 3.5 miles up the trail above the cove with beautiful overlooks. Several locations on Santa Cruz Island offer good surfing. This view shows the submarine's line handling crew aft of her. Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. The Pelican Bay Trail is a beautiful hike through the canyons and along the bluffs of The Nature Conservancy property on Santa Cruz Island. Its about nourishment and learning. Usually this is a prime location to see island foxes and Santa Cruz Island scrub jays. Remember that it is illegal to directly or indirectly feed animals in the park. Here you will be able to refill your water, and if your boat is not coming until the following day, you can take your time on the eastern side of the island doing one of the many day hikes nearby. The best months for flower blooms are April and May. Ventura However, there are no lifeguards on the island. It's best to check with Island Packers. It is steeper with ups and downs but if you are in reasonable shape it is not a problem. There is a lot of exploration possible here! Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. Primitive camping is available at the Scorpion Canyon Campground (31 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). This post has been removed at the author's request. The Scorpion site has a large campground and the old ranch. Island Packers Travels to Scorpion Anchorage Year Round.Summer April through October: Seven days a weekWinter December through March: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & SundayClosed Thanksgiving & 12/25. If youve tried everything and worst comes to worst, you can always use a sick bag or lean over the side. For the wildlife fan, the Prisoners Harbor day trip offers a good chance to see two animals found nowhere else in the world. The boat got us back to the mainland a little before 5 pm and by 7 we were back in Orange County ready to do laundry and get ready for the next adventure! If youve reached Cavern Point and would like to continue hiking for a bit longer, consider extending your hike toPotato Harbor Lookout. Kayaking east towards Scorpion Rock or west towards Cavern Point provides great wildlife viewing and sea caves. While there are a few beginner hiking options at Scorpion, the hiking options at Prisoners are going to more challenging. We recommend hiking shoes. Island Packers offers trips year round. Prisoners is further away and it is meant for only serious well equipped hikers. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. Im Brittney. The landing is rocky and the surroundings desolate and uninteresting. Channel Islands Adventure Company is excited to announce the new tours being offered at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. The app is free and available online at App Store and on Google Play. As a moderate hiker, Id recommend stopping at marker 11 (of 21) or joining a guided hike with an Island Packers naturalist which are usually offered every day. Its about protecting what sustains us. Id recommend hiking this way if you arent prepared for slippery and eroded trails, because the Navy Road provides aneasier walking surfacedespite it being uphill in nature. They just wander around sniffing for bugs occasionally coming close but not really showing any intense interest. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews Site Types Equipment More Filters Availability Grid Campsite List Refresh Table Expand Table Sort: Availability 5 Days which landing is preferable on Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion or Prisoners Beach? Then, head into deeper water to check out some fish hiding in the eel grass habitat. more. At one point when we were lounging around in the tent we had a fox trot up and nearly come inside. Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Ive worked in and around Channel Islands National Park for over four years, so I can help you decide quickly which stop is best for you and the activities youre interested in. Australia Forums; United States Forums; Europe Forums; Canada Forums; Asia Forums; . Santa Cruz Island Day Trip & Camper Transport Fares. Tinker Beachis a rocky little beach with relatively easy water access and an abundance of life along the rocky walls. Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island December 23, 2022; Tangerine Falls: The Sketchiest Santa Barbara Waterfall Hike December 23, 2022; Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe Road Trip. Template Created By ThemeXpose and heavily customized by Maple. 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