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

We're proud to be awarded the #1 small ship cruise line by the 2021 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards!

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

Special Offers

Duration

12 days

Dec

From

$8,090

Prices are per person

Special Offers (3)

Highlights

Baja California

California Coast

A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California

Duration

12 days

Dec

From

$8,090

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

SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
$350 AIR CREDIT ON SELECT DATES
4TH GUEST TRAVELS FREE
4th person travels free on select 2022 departures. Book by January 13, 2023. Bookings of three full-paying guests may bring a fourth person for free. Offer applicable only on bookings of two double-occupancy cabins, and second cabin must be in same category or lower as first cabin. Valid on select departures, for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and is not combinable with other offers. Call for details.

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California Coast

Wild Escapes

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park

Special Offers

Duration

5 days

Apr
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

From

$3,260

Prices are per person

Special Offers (4)

Highlights

California Coast

Wild Escapes

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park

Duration

5 days

Apr
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

From

$3,260

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

THE UNITED COASTS OF AMERICA
GET THE GROUP ON BOARD! SAVE 10%
$350 AIR CREDIT ON SELECT DATES
4TH GUEST TRAVELS FREE
4th person travels free on select 2022 departures. Book by January 13, 2023. Bookings of three full-paying guests may bring a fourth person for free. Offer applicable only on bookings of two double-occupancy cabins, and second cabin must be in same category or lower as first cabin. Valid on select departures, for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and is not combinable with other offers. Call for details.

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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 Aboard

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.

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.

1.800.397.3348

Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

4/26/2022

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National Geographic Quest

Santa Catalina Island

“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.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/25/2022

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National Geographic Quest

Santa Rosa Island

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.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/24/2022

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National Geographic Quest

Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, Channel Islands National Park

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!

Daily Expedition Reports

4/22/2022

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National Geographic Quest

Catalina Island

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.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/21/2022

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National Geographic Quest

Santa Rosa and Channel Islands National Park

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.

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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Exploring California 2021-22

California Coast

Exploring California 2021-22

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

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