Only a quarter of Santa Cruz Island’s territory is part of the National Park, while the rest belongs to The Nature Conservancy. But since Santa Cruz is the largest of the Channel Islands, with an area of 248 square kilometers and a length of 32 kilometers, a quarter of this extension protected by the national park covers a large slice of land. To reach the island by boat is a quick and pleasant one-hour crossing on a turquoise sea, so you can come and go in a day with enough time to visit the island. The paths lead you along windy cliffs, wide views and hidden coves.
From Scorpion Canyon Campground you can travel 1.9km back and forth to Cavern Point, an elevated headland from which you can watch the sea for whales. A 7.4km round trip takes you to Potato Harbor, a potato shaped inlet surrounded by rugged cliffs. Try to spot the sea lions that roam below, among the algae forests. A nice 11.3km hike will take you to the stony beach full of wood pieces carried by the current at Smuggler’s Cove. During the hike, pay attention and try to spot the bright blue of the American jay of Santa Cruz Island, a bird that lives on this island and nowhere else in the world. For an unforgettable experience, you can spend the night at Scorpion Canyon Campground, which has 25 pitches in the shade of eucalyptus trees. It is located near Scorpion Bay, an ideal kayak landing place for those who want to explore the coast of this island, full of coves.
