California Coast Expeditions

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November 3, 2021

Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park

33.98° S -120.09° E

Doug Gould, Expedition Leader

Book August 14 - September 29, 2023. Save 25% on the cabin fare when booking any Category 1 cabin, including solo cabins, or Category SU on National Geographic Islander II, for departures in 2023 when you pay in full at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking, cannot be combined with other offers, and is not applicable on airfare or extensions. To qualify for the discount, non-refundable payment in full is due at the time of booking. Call for details.

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The new gold rush: Discover the California Coast

Mere miles from the shores of Los Angeles lies wildness that surpasses imagination and a gem of the National Park system: the Channel Islands. Exploring it is akin to entering a time machine. To enter a era when the coast of California was lined with the tallest, oldest trees—those that remain are among the rarest on Earth. Its isolation from the mainland has led to the evolution of wildlife found nowhere else. Few dive into the region’s surprising wildness and biodiversity as Lindblad Expeditions is able to by hiking inland over rivers of pinecones and kayaking along rugged coastlines.

Baja California

California Coast

A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California

Duration

12 days

Dec

From

$6,248

Prices are per person

Highlights

Baja California

California Coast

A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California

Duration

12 days

Dec

From

$6,248

Top Highlights

Discover the incredible biodiversity of Channel Islands National Park, home to over 2,000 species including 145 endemics.
Go behind the scenes and enjoy a private lunch at a boutique vineyard in the world-renowned Valle de Guadalupe.
Explore the waters and experience the wildlife of peninsular Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve; meet the fishermen of Isla Natividad’s model fishing co-op.
Observe breaching humpbacks and acrobatic dolphins from the bow of a small ship.
Snorkel in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, the only hard coral reef in North America; featuring over 220 species of fish.

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Special Offers

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California Coast

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park

Duration

5 days

Apr
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

From

$2,520

Prices are per person

Highlights

California Coast

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park

Duration

5 days

Apr
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

From

$2,520

Top Highlights

Explore the islands by walking miles of trails, paddling crystal-clear waters by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, exploring by Zodiac, or photographing breathtaking landscapes and bird colonies
Hike in a Torrey Pine grove, one of only two on Earth, and enjoy a picnic lunch with sweeping views of the natural harbor
See iconic animals such as the American bison, bald eagles, and the Channel Island fox
Visit the famous community of Avalon, a haven for movie stars in Hollywood’s golden era

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Special Offers

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Expedition Highlights

The coast of California is proof that a far-reaching adventure is much closer than you think. Go aboard an expedition ship, equipped with tools for in-depth exploration, to sail to protected islands, hike over rivers of pinecones to stands of gnarly, windswept trees, and discover wildlife found nowhere else. Watch as the coast grows wilder and see where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and the Jesuit missionaries who followed in his wake explored, mapped, and catalogued new flora and fauna. Go deep—whether kayaking the rugged shores or hiking to one of the last remaining stands of Torrey pines in the world.

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Life On Board

Dining aboard is delectable. Get nutritionally savvy snacks, juices, menu options, and more, as well as Lindblad Expeditions’ longstanding commitment to locally and sustainably caught seafood, locally sourced produce—and food that rewards.

The Amazing Natural Allure of the Channel Islands

One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, California’s seldom-visited Channel Islands National Park is home to vast wildlife breeding colonies, underwater realms bursting with life, and astonishing sea caves.

Capturing the Channel Islands: A Remote & Remarkable National Park

Staff Photographer/Art Director David Vargas joined our Wild California Escape aboard the National Geographic Venture and spent five days capturing the essence of this spirit-lifting place.

5 Reasons to Visit Channel Islands National Park

If you’re lucky enough to find your way to these remote islands, you’ll quickly be drawn in by the rugged, mountainous landscapes, bustling undersea realms, and astonishing amounts of wildlife.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

Discover

Discover

We love to travel with Lindblad. The naturalists and photographers really make the experience exceptional.

Maureen B.

Expedition Leader

Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.

Naturalist

Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.

CPI

Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.

Undersea Specialist

Undersea specialists are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools, including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialist dives frequently during the voyage to show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

5/1/2023

Read

National Geographic Quest

Avalon, Catalina Island

This morning we went to check out Little Harbor to see how the sea conditions looked. After deciding that the swell was too large for a comfortable landing, we picked up anchor and headed to Avalon for a full day of adventuring in the only town we get to visit on this itinerary. We dropped guests off at the Avalon Pier and they had a total of seven hour to explore this cute little island town. Upon the return of our guests, we heard stories of them renting golf carts to visit the botanical gardens, hiking through Avalon Heights, and checking out all the local bars. We also had a group of divers get in the water and were treated to an underwater oasis. They swam through the vast local kelp forest, and they even saw a giant sea bass. Good times were had both above and below the water. One of the best parts our adventures in Avalon, besides the options for incredible seafood, was free ice cream from the local creamery called Scoops. After a long day relaxing in this adorable beach town, we headed back to the ship for an incredible final cocktail hour and final recap. As we watch our guest slideshow, we look back at all the memories we shared together over the last few days. From humpback whales to endemic island fox, we have moments to remember for the rest of our lives.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/29/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands

A dense marine layer hung in the early morning mist, shrouding our first destination: Anacapa Island. We set out on Zodiac tours and climbed up the many stairs to hike between Western gull nests lining each side of the path. Both on the water and views from up above displayed a beautiful kelp forest brimming with life such as dolphins and California sea lions. Our undersea team went for a dive to bring back footage with a closer look under the sea, showcasing all the incredible marine life that would otherwise be unseen. Luckily for us, we got to see humpback whales at the surface in front of the ship as well! A scrumptious brunch fueled the afternoon’s adventures of hiking and kayaking on Santa Cruz Island. Some were even lucky enough to see such rarities as the endemic scrub jay and an island fox!

Daily Expedition Reports

4/27/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Catalina Island – The Channel Islands

Today, we explored Catalina Island, first stopping at Little Harbor to hike and kayak. Next, we pulled up anchor and, as we enjoyed lunch, we made our way to Avalon! The morning began in fog but soon enough, the sun appeared, and blue skies graced us. This is our last night onboard National Geographic Quest and we are all quite sad. New friendships have been made and future explorations planned. Safe travels to all!

Daily Expedition Reports

4/26/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Santa Rosa Island

Today we woke up anchored off beautiful Santa Rosa Island. There was a light marine layer giving the island this large, ominous feel. We started the day by heading to shore in the hopes of seeing some of the endemic animals that live there, like the island scrub jay and the island fox. Mission accomplished for some guests! We had multiple hike options for multiple skill levels, ranging from a 7-mile hike to the torrey pines to a light costal walk near Santa Rosa Pier. Some guests chose to kayak in the morning and were treated to a gray whale opportunistically feeding in the shallows. After lunch, some guests went back ashore for hiking while some went out for a Zodiac cruise along the coastline and seeing both gray whales and sea lions. After a long day of adventuring, the crew had a fun surprise waiting for us on the sundeck before we settled into a presentation by a National Geographic guest speaker.

Daily Expedition Reports

2/17/2023

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National Geographic Sea Bird

Hull Canal

Today we traveled through Hull Canal, a shallow passage with mangrove forests and dune ecosystems on both sides. This passage is located between the southern part of Bahia Magdalena and the northern area known as Boca de Soledad. Lagoons are created by barrier islands. A local pilot navigated the thin, challenging channel, making it a truly special area to travel. Our naturalists hung out on the ship’s bow, pointing out various bird species and encouraging guests to look over the side to see bow-riding bottlenose dolphins. After lunch, we explored a very narrow part of Bahia Magdalena via pangas operated by local fishermen. This part of the bay is an incredible nursery ground for gray whale mother and calf pairs. The babies fatten up on their mother’s milk as they exercise in the currents and prepare for the long migration back to the feeding grounds of the Bering and Chukchi Seas. We were treated to an awe-inspiring experience as these curious calves swam under our pangas and attempted to nurse, which included rolling around and bringing their cute, barnacle-free heads out of the water. We were lucky enough to observe multiple pairs and lots of activity. Thanks to low tides in the afternoon, we cruised close to shore on the way back to the ship, photographing herons, ibises, willets, and even a few howling coyotes. After warming up on the ship, we all met in the lounge for a Mexican fiesta and danced to a performance by local musicians, Los Coyotes.

This is a great capital of wildness, extravagant beyond description and—incredibly—existing so close to population-dense L.A.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

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