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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
Special Offers
Length
12 days
From
$8,090
Prices are per person
Baja California
California Coast
Special Offers
California Coast
Wild Escapes
Special Offers
Length
5 days
From
$3,260
Prices are per person
California Coast
Wild Escapes
Special Offers
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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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.
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.
We love to travel with Lindblad. The naturalists and photographers really make the experience exceptional.
Maureen B.
4/26/2022
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National Geographic Quest
“26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a’waitin for me.” Well, it wasn’t 26 miles and we didn’t arrive via the Los Angeles area; instead, we came in through the back door, across 115 miles from San Miguel Island. We arrived at Little Harbor just before dawn. The swells were a bit large, but an offshore reef protects Little Harbor, making the area calm enough for water activities. Almost everyone enjoyed kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding for half the morning. Then, we went hiking on a choice of trails. Some guests went for the overlook; others explored the beach at Shark Cove. The beach yielded several geological and biological treasures, as well as plastic, which we dutifully collected for disposal. After lunch, we sailed to Two Harbors on the sheltered side of the island. Again, several guests went on hikes, while others opted for a Zodiac cruise around Isthmus Cove. They viewed large flocks of cormorants and pelicans on Bird Rock (an apt name), as well as a large male sea lion and his harem. Captain’s Dinner awaited us when we returned to National Geographic Quest , followed by the traditional slide show that displays our guests’ considerable photographic talents. Tomorrow, we sail to the harbor in San Pedro, where we will head off to various ‘harbors’ in the US. It was a grand cruise. Among our many memorable experiences, we viewed firsthand the remarkable success of bringing the island fox, the grey whale, and the brown pelican from near extinction to near historical levels. We also observed the rebounding ecosystems that result from the removal of invasive species. We have seen living proof that we can make a difference if we use our minds, talents, and creativity to solve conservation issues.
4/25/2022
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National Geographic Quest
We woke up to a stunning sunrise while anchored off Santa Rosa Island. While some of us started the day with morning stretches on the sundeck, the rest of our guests (and staff) watched grey whales pass by the bow of National Geographic Quest . It was such a fantastic way to start the day. Our guests divided into groups to spend the afternoon exploring Santa Rosa. They admired everything the area has to offer, especially the renowned, endemic Torrey pine forests. These forests are among the rarest in the world, as they only occur in two places on Earth. Not only were they stunning, but they also proved a fantastic spot to have our picnic lunches. Occasionally, we caught glimpses of one of the tiny, elusive island foxes; they are also an endemic species! The weather was so lovely that some of us even went for a swim. We celebrated our day over cocktails on the ship while listening to our National Geographic explorer, Brian Kastle, share some stories about his research. Our ship simultaneously circumnavigated Santa Rosa, and then we finished our day watching the sunset over San Miguel Island.
4/24/2022
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National Geographic Quest
On our first morning of this Wild California Escape, National Geographic Quest ventured to two of the four northernmost Channel Islands. Acquired by the National Park Service in the mid-1980s, the Channel Islands provide a window for us. Through it, we can see what the coast of California may have looked like before European colonization. The first island, Anacapa, does not have many places to land, so we took to the sea in a fleet of Zodiacs. Cruising along the coastline, we kept an eye out for marine mammals. Thousands of nesting pelicans, cormorants, and gulls dove into the plentiful sea around us. As we enjoyed a delicious lunch, National Geographic Quest sailed west to an anchorage in Prisoner’s Harbor off Santa Cruz Island. Here, we got our first glimpses of some of the endemic species found on these islands. These sightings included the Santa Cruz Island scrub jay, which lives only on this island!
4/22/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Holy moly! As our Zodiacs departed the fantail in Two Harbors this morning, we were blessed by the presence of the brightest fish in the whole sea, the ocean sunfish. As it waved us on with its elongated dorsal fin, we began our morning hikes. We knew this Earth Day would be one to remember. Some of us summited to the overlook on Ballast Point, while others strolled along the seaside. We all breathed in the salty air and cherished our last day together. The crisp breeze brought with it wafts from Bird Rock, a smell not soon forgotten. With our bellies and hearts full by afternoon, we took to the bow to look for dolphins and whales while we enjoyed the verdant site of Catalina Island. This evening was bittersweet. We said goodbye to friends new and old as we reminisced about our times together. From all of us on National Geographic Quest , safe travels and see you soon.
4/21/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Happy National Park Week from aboard National Geographic Quest in the Channel Islands National Park. Tweet tweet…the ship’s morning larks were rewarded today. The clear horizon and calm state of the sea allowed us to see Santa Barbara Island to the south, quite a rare phenomenon. We could hear the barks of California sea lions from the shore, and squadrons of cormorants pursued schools of sardines outside the kelp beds. And the coup de grace… is that….yes it is… it’s…three gray whales, just 100 meters off the stern of National Geographic Quest ! Two adults and one calf engaged in what appeared to be feeding behaviors in 37 feet of water. My oh my, how the calf has grown in the months since its birth in the lagoons of Central Baja–twenty feet plus is a rough estimate, compared to a length of approximately twelve feet at birth. A successful six thousand mile migration hinges on this kind of rapid growth and development. Guests headed to shore later in the morning for a number of different hiking options on the island, including coastal plain walks, canyon hikes amongst the oaks, and for the hale and hearty….hikes to the Torrey Pines grove. These pines are endemic to the island, and they are considered remnants of the last Ice Age. The removal of introduced grazers from the island has improved the health of the grove dramatically in the past 20 years, evidenced by the sapling growth. These pines were just one of the many endemics encountered by hiking groups today. Endemic organisms are one of the many memorable strands that make excursions to the Channel Islands so special.
Sven-Olof Lindblad
Escape or Go Epic - Close to Home | Channel Islands: The Untrammeled National Park | Socal to Baja: Whales, Birds & Desert Landscapes | Free Air, Solo Offer + More
