Wild California Escape: Channel Islands

Download Detailed Trip Brochure (5 MB pdf) ›

Departure Date:

November 6-10, 2021

5 days/4 nights

NPCA Host Participation Minimum: 10 NPCA guests

Schedule Highlights

• Kayak, stand-up paddleboard, hike, or relax ashore and enjoy the wild and remote island landscapes
• Hike to the last major light station to be built on the west coast on the striking Anacapa Island
• Spot some of the 150 native plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world
• Learn how NPCA has worked to protect Channel Islands National Park from external threats

Schedule

DAY 1: Los Angeles, California/Embark: Arrive in Los Angeles, or toss your bag in your car if you live there, and head to the Port of Los Angeles to be welcomed aboard. Familiarize yourself with the ship, stow your stuff, and take in the sights on the ship’s deck. We’ll set sail in the early evening—where you’ll meet the team and settle in for the days ahead! (D)

DAY 2: Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, Channel Islands National Park: Wake to the gentle motion of the ship at anchor off the rocky outcropping of East Anacapa Island. Join your fitness instructor on the sun deck for morning yoga before heeding the call to breakfast. After breakfast, join naturalists aboard our expedition landing craft to go ashore on East Anacapa. Enjoy a scenic hike to Inspiration Point to soak in the views, take photos of Anacapa Lighthouse, built in 1912, and the last major light station to be built on the West Coast. Or, for a more relaxing option, explore Arch Rock via Zodiac, a rugged yet comfortable small watercraft that can land almost anywhere. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park: Kick-start your morning with a stretch class before breakfast. Weather permitting, go kayaking, hike one of the many trails, or simply relax ashore enjoying the bird life or watching for the small, endemic Channel Island fox. Join our naturalists for a more strenuous hike out to the base of the island’s Torrey pines, one of the world’s rarest pines, and one of only two naturally occurring groves in the world. End the day with a sunset cocktail party. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: Santa Catalina Island: Spend the day discovering the colorful history and natural wonders of Santa Catalina Island. Once a haunt of smugglers and gold-diggers, the island was transformed into a resort destination by chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley Jr. in the 1920s. Some 50 years later, heirs Philip K. Wrigley and Dorothy Wrigley Offield established the Catalina Island Conservancy, protecting nearly 90% of the island. After a morning workout on deck followed by breakfast, enjoy a brief introduction by a conservancy member to learn about their work on the island before heading out on the trail for spectacular views of the coastline and the Catalina backcountry. With luck, we may catch a glimpse — or a photo — of the bison herd who have resided on Santa Catalina Island since 1924. Head for the water to kayak or stand-up paddleboard. After lunch, the ship arrives in Avalon Harbor, where you’ll have time to explore on your own. Explore downtown Avalon, the island’s only incorporated city, with a population a little under 5,000. Take the 30-minute (mostly uphill) stroll up Avalon Canyon to visit the Wrigley Monument and The Botanic Garden. Or visit an architectural gem: the famous Catalina Casino, built by William Wrigley Jr. in 1929. Scuba certified? Our team can arrange diving and gear rental for you with a top local operator. Return to the ship for a farewell dinner and a last evening at sea under the stars. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: Los Angeles/Disembark Awake dockside in the bustling Port of Los Angeles. (Early risers can catch the action in one of the world’s largest ports.) Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking and either transferring to the airport or heading to your car or Uber—refreshed by your getaway—to the clang and clamor of contemporary life. (B)

Flexibility and spontaneity are a big part of our itinerary. Our ace spotters are always ‘on it,’ and if they sight a blue whale, they’ll let you know—so you won’t miss a thing nature has to offer. If conditions cancel one option, our nimble team will have another. They might surprise you with a BBQ on deck or a dance party under stars. Your Base Camp getaway might be compact, but it’s a genuine expedition, so there’s always room for magic.

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NPCA TRAVEL ELIGIBILITY: NPCA is the only independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of the National Park System. We are 100% privately funded and we rely on donations from individuals like you. One traveler per group must be an active NPCA member to participate in an NPCA trip. An annual membership starts at $15 per person. Please make dues payable to NPCA by check or credit card at npca.org.

TRAVEL SAFE WITH NPCA Your safety is our top priority. NPCA has worked diligently with each of our travel partners to develop important safety measures for all our trips. As guidelines and protocols evolve, we are committed to creating flexible options for those interested in rescheduling or booking new travel. For more information, check out our COVID-19 Travel Update.

MORE INFORMATION For full details on this trip, including inclusions, exclusions, accommodations, terms and safety protocols, please download the detailed trip brochure.

Download Detailed Trip Brochure (5 MB pdf) ›

MAKING RESERVATIONS To secure your space on this NPCA trip, please contact Jared Dial, NPCA’s Travel Program Manager, at 1-800-628-7275 or email travel@npca.org.

Reduce your financial risk. Lindblad Expeditions’ Good Faith Plan means you can book, confident that should you choose to cancel prior to your 2021 voyage, you can—100% assured.  For those who wish to cancel their 2021 expedition, Lindblad Expeditions is providing two options: 

1. The standard cancellation policy is available (see Detailed Trip Brochure)
2. For more flexibility: Cancel your expedition at least 14 days before departure and receive 100% future travel credit for expedition fare paid* to be used on any future 2021 or 2022 expedition. Valid for new bookings of 2021 departures booked between June 10, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

*Note: Good Faith Plan cancellation policy is applicable on Expedition Fare paid, and may not apply to extensions, airfare, insurance, and other additional services purchased. Call for details or click here.

TRAVEL PROTECTION We strongly recommend purchasing important optional travel insurance that will cover you for a variety of travel-related contingencies, such as trip cancellation, interruption, and/or delay; baggage loss, theft, damage or delay; accident and/or sickness medical expenses; accidental death; as well as evacuation/repatriation coverage. Please note that a Pre-Existing Condition waiver is available if you purchase the policy within 21 days of making your initial trip payment. Also consider the optional “Cancel for any Reason” protection. All questions regarding the plan’s coverage should be directed to Travel Insurance Select through USI Affinity at 1-800-937-1387 or by visiting their website.

Check out NPCA’s full tour lineup at www.npca.org/trips