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Planning a visit to LA, CA and would like to get out in the nature for a day. Trying to determine whether to visit the Channel Islands or the Catalina Islands. What are the pros/cons of each--which would you visit if you only had 1 day? Many thanks in advance for any answers you can provide!
2007-03-03 06:47:53 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Los Angeles
All 8 natural islands off the L. A. coast are part of the Channel Islands. The 5 northernmost are under the control of the U.S. Park Service and are uninhabited and require permitting (at a visitors center either in Santa Barbara or Ventura ) to visit...they are designated wild life sanctuaries and although they appear close to L.A.---they are a Good haul out there and visitation is relatively low for a National Park.....
Of the remaining 3, San Clemente and San Nicolas are under the control of the U. S. Navy and no visitation is permitted....
Which leaves Santa Catalina, yeh, that's the one I would pick. Boats going out there leave from several departure points. Check with their Chamber of Commerce..
There actually was a small ninth island called "Deadman's Island" off the coast of San Pedro/Palos Verde which was removed about one hundred years ago because ships kept going aground on it during routine shipping activities. Later it was kind of "replaced" by the huge breakwater that is today in front of the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.
There are numerous man made islands out there also mostly for oil production, transfer and storage....Grissom Island in Long Beach is the most "viewable" of the man made islands.
2007-03-03 09:19:50 · answer #1 · answered by Paris Hilton 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what you want to do. Catalina has shops and place small hotels to stay over night. It is like a small resort. You can rent scooters and golf carts to get around. You can catch a boat either at Newport o Long Beach.
Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands are off the coast of Ventura. You catch a boat a Ventura and go across.These are all National Parks. There is no development. You can camp on Santa rosa under very primitive conditions. Check out information at their web pages and see which one of these trips are right for you.
p.s. March is a good time because you might see some whales on the way over. HAVE FUN!
2007-03-03 19:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by copestir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Catalina Island has hotels, where you can bath, and places to shop. The channels Islands have.......tents. Depends on how close to nature you want to be. I'll include a link to wikipedia the discusses all the islands. It's a pretty good reference. Click on each name for a description and history.
2007-03-03 22:49:50 · answer #3 · answered by justin h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catalina Island IS one of the Channel Islands. Catalina is the only island that has a civilized "town" on it called Avalon. A couple of the other islands have field research stations on them and have limited access. Catalina island is easily reached as there are boats that go there several times a day.
http://www.catalinaexpress.com/
http://www.catalina.com/hiking.html
2007-03-03 16:47:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catalina is a single island with basically one small town, Avalon. You can easily see everything Catalina has to offer in one day.
Channel Islands is a group of five islands, and they are basically nature preserves. There are no towns, stores, etc. Everything you need during your stay you must bring with you.
Both locations have several websites describing the islands. My choice would be Catalina for a first time visitor.
2007-03-03 16:00:06 · answer #5 · answered by Peedlepup 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋