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14 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2024 The Channel Islands are an eight-island archipelago located along the California coast. I'm sure everyone has heard of Catalina; San Nicolas and San Clemente are off limits unless you're in the Navy; San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara were made into a national park in 1980. Would you believe I learned about this national park from last year's world cruise from a film? The documentary narrated by Kevin Costner introduced the five islands and enticed our spirit of adventure to hike Santa Cruz. Be sure to check out Treasure in the Sea video in the digital Breeze. You can also scan the QR code at right. When I learned Colin Taylor was taking a trip to the park, I asked him to write about his day of kayaking. He also informed me that many years ago he had gone camping and heard the grunting of non-native pigs outside his tent. Those were removed by 2007 and non-native sheep were removed in 1980. With people's help, Santa Cruz made a comeback with native plants, Island Scrub Jays, and the Santa Cruz Island Fox. This allows visitors to get a glimpse of how Southern California looked hundreds of years ago. After chatting with Juana Alamos, I learned she had scuba dived around the island. I asked her to share her experience as well. Finally, you will read my weekend trip to Ventura and hiking the Cavern Point Loop. I hope these different activities will entice you to visit this unique park. I have always enjoyed kayaking, so when I heard about the numerous sea caves around Santa Cruz Island, I had to give it a try. So my brother and I booked a trip out of Ventura Harbor (convenient as my sister lives in Ventura). The comfortable ferry only takes an hour and a half and drops you off at Scorpion Anchorage. The kayak company gives a brief safety presentation and provides kayaks, paddles, jackets, and helmets (in case you hit your head on a cave ceiling). Camera, water, and snacks are the only things you need to pack. You get three hours of guided exploration of the magnificent sea caves that surround Santa Cruz Island. There was a mild swell so caution was needed when you entered a low cave. In one tight cave my helmet did actually strike the ceiling briefly. After kayaking, you can hike or snorkel before catching the return ferry. While waiting, we were lucky to see an Island Fox. We saw several pods of dolphins that swam alongside our boat for miles. The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary encompasses six nautical miles off these islands. At dinnertime, there seemed to be thousands of dolphins and the seabirds dive in to join the feast. I would recommend a day trip to anyone comfortable in a kayak. It's so close to home but not that well known (and hence not that busy). Colin Taylor's Kayaking Trip The Channel Islands One cave went back at least 200 feet and had several side passages. I enjoyed my snack while taking in the views. Some caves had 20 to 30 foot high ceilings e rear of a cave looking back at the entrance is one of my favorite views By Elizabeth Westbrook