California Coast, Wild Escapes
Embark on an unprecedented five-day expedition into wildness and wellness in the remote and remarkable Channel Islands. Step aboard in Los Angeles and sail to three of the five wildlife-rich islands that make up Channel Islands National Park, plus Catalina Island. Dayboats can take you to a single island to hike or camp, but a true in-depth exploration of the Channel Islands on our nimble ships (with comfy staterooms) is a unique offering and the only way to take in the full natural splendor of this extraordinary national park. It is akin to a safari camp in Africa—comfortable, in the heart of things, yet mobile. Everything you want is aboard—paddleboards, kayaks, and Zodiacs; a welcoming crew; smart naturalists; a wellness specialist; and a certified photo instructor. You’ll actively explore unmarred landscapes, revel in pure nature, and rejuvenate mind, body, and soul with our well-being programs.
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
See less highlights
Duration
5 Days
Price
From $3,200 per person
Dates
Apr
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Next departure
10/29/2021
Special offers
$350 AIR CREDIT ON SELECT DATES
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
BRINGING THE KIDS
COMBINING OFFERS
BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS
GET THE GROUP ON BOARD! SAVE 10%
TRAVELING AS A GROUP
California Coast, Wild Escapes
Embark
Los Angeles, California
Disembark
Los Angeles, California
Special Offers
Dec 19
Read
National Geographic Venture
The most beautiful day of the trip broke just opposite Catalina Island and cast a gorgeous glow onto the town of Avalon. We went ashore into the bustling harbor and made our way into town. Some chose to find their own way through the streets amid the golf carts, while others took a walk up to the botanical gardens or the historic casino. Afterwards we returned to National Geographic Venture and set sail to the other side of Catalina Island for some more wild activities. We landed at Little Harbor and set up a beach party. Some opted for guided kayaking, some sprung for a long hike. Still others enjoyed their own meanderings on the beach or margaritas served onshore by the bar team. The sun set in a glorious Southern California fashion and closed out a beautiful trip.
Dec 19
Watch
National Geographic Venture
What a perfect day in the Channel Islands starting with a 360-degree view from the middle of the Santa Barbara Channel. On our approach to Santa Rosa Islands, we were treated to a stunning view of the four of the Channel Islands and the entire Gaviota Coastline from Point Conception to the Santa Monica Mountains. Some of us went on an all-day hike in the Torrey Pines Forest, while others took walks along the coast and Cherry Canyon. We explored the buildings and surroundings that represent the islands rich history of ranching. Many of us had a glimpse of the endemic islands fox during our walks. One of the personal highlights for me was seeing Santa Barbara Islands in the far distant only viewable on such a clear day. The later part of the day we cruised further west to San Miguel Islands to see the white beaches covered in Northern elephant seals and California sea lions. After the green flash appeared in the sunset, we set our course towards Catalina Island. What a perfect day in Channel Islands National Park.
Dec 19
Read
National Geographic Venture
From sunrise to sunset, all onboard National Geographic Venture experienced an incredible introduction to the natural history and unique biodiversity of California’s Channel Islands! From the rugged, narrow basalt ridgeline of Anacapa to the vast rolling hills of Santa Cruz, we sailed west to explore more of this fantastic landscape. Although within sight of the bustling metropolitan Los Angeles coastline, it seems a world away and is home to plants, animals and geological features found nowhere else on the planet.
Dec 19
Read
National Geographic Venture
This morning, in the first week of December, we all put on shorts and sandals and headed to shore for a beach party at Little Harbor! Embracing the outdoorsy spirit of southern California, guests kayaked and paddleboarded around the harbor, hiked up to a scenic bluff and down to a beach to look for wildlife and interesting geology, or just relaxed in some beach chairs with their toes in the sand. As a surprise to some that were lucky enough to spot a few, the island has a herd of roughly 200 American bison. These animals are not native to the island; 14 were transferred to island for the filming of The Vanishing American in 1924 and left behind to live out their lives. The majority of the island is now owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy, who keep this herd to a small section of land to protect the rest of the area for native flora and fauna. In the afternoon, the National Geographic Venture sailed around the southern end of the island to anchor outside of Avalon – a sleepy seaside town of about 3,000 people. Guests explored the various museums in the town and enjoyed the atmosphere of this town that feels almost frozen in time before returning to the ship for the last cocktails and dinner of the expedition.
Dec 19
Watch
National Geographic Venture
On our second day here in the Channel Islands, we awoke near the shores of Santa Rosa. From the sandy beaches of this beautiful location we hiked in search of the native torrey pine, kayaked among the fringes of the kelp forest, and enjoyed a rare rainy day in the national park. In the afternoon we set off in search of wildlife and found ourselves watching northern elephant seals on the wild shores of San Miguel Island, one of the most windswept of the Channel Islands.
