11 Best Sights in Channel Islands National Park, California

Taking in quite a bit of Santa Cruz, this moderate to strenuous 3-mile trail one-way to Pelican Cove is one of the best hikes in the park. You must be accompanied by an Island Packers naturalist or secure a permit (visit www.nature.org/cruzpermit; allow 10 to 15 business days to process and return your application), as the hike takes you through Nature Conservancy property. Moderate.

This moderate 2-mile hike takes you to the bluffs northwest of Scorpion harbor on Santa Cruz, where there are magnificent coastal views and pods of migrating gray whales from December through March. Moderate.

This easy walk takes you along a 2-mile-long white sand beach on San Miguel. The eastern section is occasionally cut off by high tides. An access permit is required. Easy.

This strenuous 12-mile hike along beautiful white-sand beaches yields the opportunity to see rare Torrey pines. Some beaches are closed between March and September, so you have to remain on the road for portions of this hike. Difficult.

This moderate-to-strenuous, 2½-mile, round-trip walk takes you across Santa Barbara to a point where you can view magnificent elephant seals from steep cliffs. Moderate.

This easy ½-mile walk on Santa Cruz Island takes you to a historic ranch where you can visit an interpretive center in an 1800s adobe and see remnants of a cattle ranch. Easy.

This 1½-mile hike along flat terrain takes in most of East Anacapa. There are great views from Inspiration Point and Cathedral Cove. Easy.

This short but strenuous 2-mile hike leads up a spectacular canyon filled with waterfalls and lush native plants. At the end of a steep climb to the top of a peak, views of the historic Lester Ranch and the Cabrillo Monument await. If you plan to hike beyond the Lester Ranch, you'll need a hiking permit in addition to an island-access permit; call or visit the park website for details. Difficult.

Rangers conduct 15-mile hikes across San Miguel to Point Bennett, where more than 30,000 pinnipeds (three different species) can be seen. An access permit is required. Difficult.

This moderate 5-mile loop climbs up to Santa Rosa's grove of rare Torrey pines and offers stellar views of Becher's Bay and the channel. Moderate.

Starting at Santa Rosa Campground, this 2-mile walk along a white-sand beach features some exceptional beachcombing. Frequent strong winds can turn this easy hike into a fairly strenuous excursion, though. You can extend your walk by following animal paths to Water Canyon, which is full of native vegetation. Easy.