Sutil Is.
Pacific Ocean
Santa Barbara Island Shag Rock
Gull Is.
An ac ap aP as sa ge Scorpion Anchorage
Santa Cr
Skunk Pt.
uz Island
Prisoners’ Harbor Potato Bay
Forney’s Cove
Painted Cave
Santa Rosa Island Bechers Bay
el nn ha zC ru aC nt Sa
DEL NORTE CAMPGROUNDS
Sa nM igu el Pa ssa ge
NATURE CONSERVANCY PROPERTY
Anacapa Island
San M ig
Prince Is.
uel Island Castle Rock
Santa Barbara Channel
Santa Summerland Barbara
Goleta Beach
COAL OIL PT. COJO
Goleta
EL CAPITAN
REFUGIO
GAVIOTA
NOT TO SCALE
STE VEN BROWN
Carpinteria
Visiting the Islands in the Channel Islands National Park Santa Cruz Island
Anacapa Island
You could spend a lifetime exploring Santa Cruz. There are two campgrounds on the island, at Scorpion Anchorage and at Del Norte near Prisoners Harbor. However, only 24% of the island is open to the public, from the southeast end at Prisoners Harbor to San Pedro Point. Visitors can enjoy world-class kayaking through the Painted Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world. There are also several terrific hikes in the vicinity. You can get dropped at Prisoners Harbor and backpack to the Del Norte Campground three miles east and then walk the next morning to Scorpion Anchorage another 11 miles away. With enough water and food, you can hike all day. After all that hiking, cool off by snorkeling in the kelp forests at Scorpion Anchorage and look for brilliant garibaldi and a bevy of other fish species like the bat ray, sheepshead and opal eye.
Anacapa Island is made up of three small islets only visible at the lowest tides, and it’s the narrowest island in the chain. Be prepared to climb a ladder onto a dock and walk up 150 stairs until you’re on top of a windswept plateau overlooking the surrounding waters. East Anacapa is the only islet open to public visitation. The others are closed to the public to protect sensitive seabird breeding and nesting habitat. Take an easy stroll out to Inspiration Point for one of the most breathtaking island views across the entire archipelago. Another easy walk takes visitors to the lighthouse overlooking the iconic 40-foot-tall rock arch blasted by the surf. Down in the Landing Cove step off the ladder and explore the underwater world of the park. Don’t forget a snorkel and mask to take in Anacapa’s natural wonders—after all, half of this National Park is in the ocean.
EdibleSantaBarbara.com SUMMER 2016 | 51