Santa Cruz Islands info needed.

Hey guys want to start planning A trip to the islands with my lady and wanted to see what kind of info you guys can help me with rather than googling it. I know there are campgrounds but what about hotels? Price range etc. Dont know exactly when im gonna go. Would like to do some diving well im there as well.. Should we camp?? Thanks in advance...Andy

dude, ain't no hotels on da islands.  Primitive camping only, with running water a seriously rationed commodity.

check out this vid from live well network's MOTION show.  I'm so jealous of the host, best job in the world.
http://livewellnetwork.com/Motion/episodes/Channel-Islands/7918257

Also, my cyberspace law professor just posted some pictures of his hike on San Miguel and Santa Cruz Islands.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81901130@N03/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81901130@N03/sets/72157630424900182/

he also has an older review from a prior trip. 

http://www.epinions.com/review/park-Parks-All-CA-Channel_Islands_National_Park/trvl-review-D3D-38C8E4A9-39BC4EBB-prod5?sb=1

If you email him, he'd probably respond with some helpful camping tips. 

There is only the one campground at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. There are two main camp areas upper and lower. The lower campsites are less of a hike from the beach.

I would recommend a guided trip to explore the sea caves as the constant changes in ocean conditions make some inaccessible at certain times.

Not much fishing/spearfishing as most of the areas are closed to marine take. The snorkeling is awesome though.

I've twice gone in the fall (Sept-Oct) & had good luck (in general) with the weather.

There are plenty of hotels in the area of the Island Packers shuttle boat in Ventura.

This is the guide service I have worked with:    http://www.islandkayaking.com/

It really is a fantastic experience once you get past the gear schlepping. Pack light and figure on at least 2 nights to really explore.
I once did 5 days on SCI and it was tough to re-enter civilized society afterwards!

Wow! Thanks for the info! Doesnt sound too much what the lady is into for the camping at least! Could always stay on the mainland and go in for the day... Thanks again, very helpful!

Wow! Thanks for the info! Doesnt sound too much what the lady is into for the camping at least! Could always stay on the mainland and go in for the day... Thanks again, very helpful!

it is only about a 45minute or less ferry ride, so you could do a full day @ SCI (approx 7:30am ferry boarding, then back at the dock in Ventura by 5:30pm) and still have plenty of time for the ventura nightlife

You might look into Catalina Island for a more exotic, hotel type trip. There's still plenty of paddling there, and some excellent diving too. Avalon is pretty pricey, but a lot of fun to spend a long weekend at.

Two Harbors!


At least its the most recomended on spearboard.  I'm dying to get down there. 

You might look into Catalina Island for a more exotic, hotel type trip. There's still plenty of paddling there, and some excellent diving too. Avalon is pretty pricey, but a lot of fun to spend a long weekend at.

This is what I was gonna say. I've never been there, but PFIC has an annual pierfishing derby there and the reports always make it look like an awesome trip. There's also some cheap hotels on the island, as well as the expensive ones.

 ....... Damn, Catalina island sounds more like it! Maybe thats what I was thinking of to begin with? .....

Catalina is a mix of things.  you can get away and camp, but also stay at a joint in avalon.  The Long Beach division of Los Angeles Superior Court actually has a branch office in Avalon, but I don't believe they convene regularly. 

I've been there a few times.  I'm remembering that the last time I went I thought, OK, that's enough of this place its sorta wack no need to go back LOL.  But i wasn't camping or anything, just overnighting it in some rental.  If you did a mixed use trip of camping and hotel, it would probably be much more fun. 

Last time I was there was about 28 years ago. We were hunting hogs and goats with bow and arrows with a group from trophy archery. I don't think you can do that anymore.
It was easy locating game but the hiking got tough.

You can get a cabin in Two Harbors or camp in Little Harbor. Great fishing and diving. The Polygamist and I have been several times in the last few years. Good time.