Outside Channel Islands National Park

With a population of nearly 110,000, Ventura is the main gateway to Channel Islands National Park. It's a classic California beach town filled with interesting restaurants, shops, galleries, a wide range of accommodations, and miles of clean, white beaches. South of Ventura is Oxnard, a community of 208,000 boasting a busy harbor and uncrowded beaches. Known for its Spanish ambience, Santa Barbara has a beautiful waterfront set against a backdrop of towering mountains—plus glistening palm-lined beaches, whitewashed adobe structures with red-tile roofs, and a downtown/waterfront area with a hip, youthful vibe.