Channel Islands 5 days

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Come to Cafe Buenos Aires if you plan to spend a quiet evening with your partner. The place is elegantly done up with ceiling lights, wall paintings, wooden furniture and indoor plants. Seat yourself comfortably at the table and order from the vast choice of Argentine cuisine available, langostinos, canelones, empanadas and sandwiches. The cafe also hosts local music shows and dance performances every now and then. The Happy Hour timings are Monday to Friday from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Check the website for more details.

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Although Oxnard is an hour's drive north from Los Angeles, this art gallery merits the trip. Constructed with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1906, the building itself is the really the main attraction. The elegant Neo-Classical structure was originally used as a library, but was transformed into a cultural center in 1963. The collection consists primarily of 20th century works, including the Carnegie collection that began in 1924. Some of the artists found here include Arthur Beaumont, Cornelius Botke, Colin Campbell Cooper, Katherine Leighton and many others.

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Comprised of five of the eight California Channel Islands, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of nationally, and internationally, significant natural and cultural resources. Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Islands are administered by the National Park Service; San Miguel, by the U.S. Navy and the National Park Service. A permit is needed to visit the latter. Santa Rosa is private property. Over 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals can be found within the park. However only four mammal species are endemic to the islands, one of which is the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) which is known to carry the sin nombre hantavirus. One hundred and forty-five of these species are unique to the islands and found nowhere else in the world.

Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the endangered blue whale, the largest animal to live on earth. Archeological and cultural resources span a period of more than 10,000 years. The park consists of 249,353 acres, half of which are under the ocean, and include the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara. Even though the islands seem tantalizingly close to the densely populated, southern...

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The specialty of this tour group is a two-hour trip through the interior of the island, via a luxury mini-coach that is led by an experienced guide. Choose from six different tours in all, which explore either the inland areas of the island via coach or the harbor areas via sea vessel, and go by the following titles: Inside Adventure, City, City/Botanical Garden, Glass Bottom Boat, Water Taxi & Harbor Cruise, and Land & Sea Explorer. Combination packages (multiple tours) are also available, at discounted prices. Call for reservations, tour times and ticket purchase.

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The perfect place for a half-day, one-day or short overnight camping trip. If you have time to visit just one island, this may be the place. Almost all trips to Anacapa are to East Anacapa Island. A limited number of trips are offered throughout the year to Frenchys Cove on West Anacapa Island. Although hiking options are limited with only two miles of trails, the scenery is unmatched. Except for the staircase to the top of the island, the trails are relatively flat and easy. Access to West Anacapa is from the water only and is limited to Frenchys Cove. Ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and fishing*. Since Anacapa is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the landing cove on East Anacapa (no beaches) and at Frenchys Cove on West Anacapa. Underwater video program is offered during the summer. Click here for more information. Excellent wildlife viewing—seabirds (gull chicks in early summer), seals, and sea lions.

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Although Middle and West Anacapa are not open to hiking (they are set aside for the island wildlife except for a small beach on the West islet called Frenchy’s Cove that can be reached only by boat), East Anacapa has about 2 miles of trails. Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairway from the landing cove, they will find a figure eight-shaped trail system that meanders over gentle slopes to dramatic overlooks, maginificent coastal views, and the last permanent lighthouse built on the west coast. An interpretive trail guide is available on the island to interpret these and other island resources.

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A limited number of trips are offered throughout the year to Frenchys Cove on West Anacapa Island.

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One-day trips, and short or long overnight camping trips. (Only one day trips are offered to The Nature Conservancy property, including one of the best hikes in the park—along the coast from Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay. Hiking options are unlimited with over 14,500 acres to explore on Eastern Santa Cruz Island. Great place for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Beach access is available at Scorpion Anchoage, Smugglers Cove and Prisoners Harbor. Scorpion campground is the largest on any of the islands and a great spot for group camping. Shade is available in the campground. Birdwatchers will not want to miss the endemic island scrub-jay—only found on Santa Cruz Island and no other place in the world.

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Several trails and roads traverse eastern Santa Cruz Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from the maintained, relatively flat, signed trails of Scorpion Valley to the unmaintained, rugged, mountainous paths of the Montañon area. While visitors may explore the national park property on Santa Cruz Island, no hiking is allowed beyond the national park boundary onto The Nature Conservancy property. The boundary is the property line (marked by a fenceline) between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage.

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One-day trips, multi-day boat trips and overnight camping trips (minimum stay is generally 3 days—Friday to Sunday). Be prepared for adverse weather. Wind speed on the island averages about 20 mile per hour. Backcountry beach camping is available during certain times of year. Hiking options are unlimited with over 54,000 acres of rugged peaks, magnificent canyons, and beautiful beaches. Due to high incidence of strong winds, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are limited and recommended for the experienced visitor only. Despite the wind, Santa Rosa offers exceptional beach-walking on white sand beaches. Access to one of the best beaches, Water Canyon Beach, is just over a mile from the pier in Bechers Bay and just down canyon from the campground.

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Several trails and roads traverse Santa Rosa Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from the relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach to the rugged, mountainous path to Black Mountain.

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One-day trips, long overnight camping trips (minimum stay is generally 3 days—Friday to Sunday), and multiday boat trips. Be prepared for adverse weather. Wind speed on the island averages about 20 mile per hour. Hiking options are limited. Visitors may explore a small area on their own—including the 2-mile long Cuyler Harbor beach and the 1-mile trail to the ranger station. To see other parts of the island you must go with a ranger. Rangers are generally available to lead hikes, but check with the park or concessionaires in advance. Ideal place for viewing native vegetation, the unique caliche forest, and seals and sea lions (with ranger escort). Due to high incidence of strong winds, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are limited and recommended for the experienced visitor. Despite the wind, Cuyler Harbor is one of the most scenic beaches in the park.

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Located in Golden Gate Park, this garden is a marvel of the landscape architects art. This traditional Japanese garden covers five acres. Several paths take you by an authentic pagoda, a monumental Buddha, a miniature waterfall, and over an acutely arched bridge that no kid can resist. Overlooking the gardens koi-filled pond is a Japanese-style tea house, which in spring is covered with a cascade of wisteria. The gift shop sells souvenirs with a Japanese flair.

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One of the most photogenic spots in Golden Gate Park, this placid body of water surrounds Strawberry Hill. A couple of bridges allow you to cross over and ascend the hill (the old 19th-century stone bridge on the southwest side of the lake is especially quaint). A waterfall cascades from the top of the hill, and panoramic views make it worth the short hike up here. Down below, rent a boat, surrey, or bicycle, or stroll around the perimeter. Just to the left of the waterfall sits the elaborate Chinese Pavilion, a gift from the city of Taipei. It was shipped in 6,000 pieces and assembled on the shore of Strawberry Hill Island in 1981. OPEN: Boat rentals daily 10-4, surrey and bicycle rentals weekdays 9-dusk, weekends 10-dusk.

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Dr. Adolph Sutro built the baths in the late 1800s to provide a diversion for local families. The four pools were housed under a giant glass dome, with room for 25,000 swimmers and spectators, as well as Dr. Sutro's collection of artifacts. Ruined by fire and earthquake, the foundations are still around for daring people to explore. Fog adds to the surreal quality of the ruins.

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88 percent of Catalina Island is owned by this organization, whose duty is to preserve it and its rare species of plants and animals for posterity. With this in mind, they have affixed a steep price for biking permits ($50) to generally discourage that activity in the wilderness areas of the island. However, hiking maps only cost a quarter, and hiking permits are free, as well as the staff's sound advice, and can only be obtained through this office. Additionally, the conservancy offers a number of outdoor recreation and environmental education programs, particularly the summer naturalist programs.

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Several trails traverse San Miguel Island providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. While many parts of the island are closed to protect wildlife, fragile plants, and geological features, several areas are open for you to explore. Some of these areas are open to you only when accompanied by a park ranger. On your own you may explore Cuyler Harbor beach, Cabrillo monument, and the Lester ranch site.

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One-day trips and long overnight camping trips (minimum stay is generally 3 days—Friday to Sunday). The entire island is accessible through the six miles of scenic trails. Unlimited and exceptional island coastal views await the visitor. Ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing*. Since Santa Barbara Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the landing cove (no beaches). Excellent wildlife viewing—seabirds, seals, and sea lions. Great place to the see recovery of native vegetation. Wonderful wildflower displays in the spring.

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Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the steep trail from the landing cove, they will find a just over 5 miles of trails that meander over gentle slopes and low mountain tops to dramatic overlooks and magnificent coastal views.