Skip to main content
Illustration

California

When to catch Channel Islandsat its best

Channel Islands through the year: wildflowers (usually: by late January through March, during a normal year of rainfall) and wildlife by season (3 separate phases, from begins at the end of December and lasts until April). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat sunny, 84°F · Sun sunny, 82°F
  • Park alerts1 current NPS alert: Parts of Santa Rosa Island Closed During Wildfire Recovery

When are you going?

Fall at Channel Islands

Next peak here after fall

USUAL PEAK · WILDFLOWERSChannel IslandsBy late January through March, during a normal year of rainfallCalifornia

“by late January through March, during a normal year of rainfall” · National Park Service ↗

Remind me →

Where to go at Channel Islands

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildflowers

  • East Anacapa's trail systemAbout two miles of trails; after winter rains the tree sunflower (coreopsis) blooms so thickly it can sometimes be seen from the mainland, with red paintbrush, island morning glory and pale buckwheatNational Park Service ↗
  • Santa Barbara IslandThe smallest island, 38 miles from the mainland; after winter rains coreopsis blooms bright yellow alongside the endemic Santa Barbara Island live-forever, buckwheat, chicory and cream cupsNational Park Service ↗

Wildlife by season

  • Santa Barbara Channel, by whale-watching boatIsland Packers, a park concessionaire, runs whale watching during the year; other operators sail from Santa Barbara, Ventura and Channel Islands harbors. Boats must stay at least 100 yards from whales unless a whale approachesNational Park Service ↗
  • Park visitor center tower, VenturaThe mainland visitor center has a tower with telescopes for whale watching and island viewing; from shore, early morning before the wind raises whitecaps gives the best chanceNational Park Service ↗
  • Anacapa Island trails (western gull colony)Anacapa's islets host the world's largest western gull breeding colony; some nests sit just inches from the trails, so stay on themNational Park Service ↗

Next 7 days at Channel Islands

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayMostly Sunny77° / 59°–
  • ThuPatchy Fog then Mostly Sunny79° / 60°–
  • FriMostly Sunny81° / 66°–
  • SatSunny84° / 69°–
  • SunSunny82° / 70°–
  • MonSunny82° / 69°1% rain
  • TueSunny81° / 69°1% rain

Heads up: NWS Extreme Heat Watch: Extreme Heat Watch issued September 30 at 9:46AM PDT until October 8 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA; Park closure: Parts of Santa Rosa Island Closed During Wildfire Recovery.

Today: sunrise 6:52 a.m., sunset 6:44 p.m., light until 7:09 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 77% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Channel Islands in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Giant coreopsis covered in yellow flowers above red sea cliffs and the ocean in low evening light
Giant coreopsis in full bloom at Channel Islands National Park in spring 2017, a wet year (from a park article; exact date not given). Photo: NPS / Dirk Rodriguez · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee?

No. There's no fee to enter the park, and the park doesn't sell federal lands passes. Boat trips to the islands are booked with the park's concessionaires.Sources: National Park Service, Channel Islands: Fees & Passes ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Channel Islands: Basic Information ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I buy food or rent gear on the islands?

No. There are no food stores or gear rental shops on the islands, so pack everything and reserve kayaks or snorkeling gear from rental shops before you go.Source: National Park Service, Channel Islands: Basic Information ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What can't I bring to the islands?

Firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (hiking sticks included), and service animals unless the superintendent has given a permit. The rule keeps non-native species off the islands.Source: National Park Service, Channel Islands: Current Conditions ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Does the bloom depend on rain?

Yes. The park's late January through March peak is for a year of normal rainfall; the islands start turning green, and the first flowers open, in the late winter months.Source: National Park Service, Channel Islands: When to Visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30