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Channel Islands National Park
Directions

While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended. 

Directions to:

 

The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park 1901 Spinnaker Drive

Ventura, CA 93001

(805) 658-5730

The visitor center is located in the Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Only train, bus, and private car transportation are available from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to Ventura.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

  • Take the Victoria Avenue exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria.
  • Turn right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive.
  • The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Free parking is available at the beach parking lot.
  • Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

  • Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard, then proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive.
  • Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive.
  • The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Free parking is avaliable at the beach parking lot.
  • Click here to map your route.

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Outdoor Santa Barbara Visitor Center 113 Harbor Way 4th Floor

Santa Barbara, CA 93109

(805) 884-1475

http://outdoorsb.noaa.gov/

The visitor center is located in the Santa Barbara Harbor in Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara is located 100 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles north of Ventura. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

  • Take the Castillo Street exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn right onto Castillo.
  • When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd.
  • Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way. City pay parking is immediately on your left or right. There are also 90 minute free parking spots in the harbor parking lot.
  • Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

  • Take the Bath Street exit.
  • Take a left at the next signal light which is Gutierrez.
  • Take a left at the next signal light which is Castillo Street. Follow Castillo until it comes to an end.
  • When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd.
  • Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way. City pay parking is immediately on your left or right. There are also 90 minute free parking spots in the harbor parking lot.
  • Click here to map your route.

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Island Packers

1691 Spinnaker Dr.

Ventura, CA 93001

(805) 642-1393

www.islandpackers.com

The main office for Island Packers is located in the Ventura Harbor. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

  • Take the Victoria Avenue exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria.
  • Turn right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive.
  • Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive and follow to the "Island Tours/Island Packers" sign on your right just past the Ventura Harbor Village shopping area. Turn right at our sign. Parking is free. Please do not park in the 20 minute zones.
  • Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

  • Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard, then proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive.
  • Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive and follow to the "Island Tours/Island Packers" sign on your right just past the Ventura Harbor Village shopping area.
  • Turn right at our sign. Parking is free. Please do not park in the 20 minute zones.
  • Click here to map your route.

Island Packers also has a satellite office in the Channel Islands Harbor at 3600 S. Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard, California. Oxnard is located 65 miles north of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

  • Take the Victoria Avenue exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria and continue to Channel Islands Boulevard .
  • Turn right on Channel Islands Boulevard and continue over a large bridge to Harbor Boulevard .
  • Turn left on Harbor Boulevard and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left.
  • Turn left and park in parking lot for free. Across from the parking lot is the office. It is on the south side of the large gray building.
  • Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

  • Take the Seaward Avenue exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard and follow it approximately 8 miles to Channel Islands Harbor.
  • Stay to the right where there is a fork in the road and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left.
  • Turn left and park in parking lot for free. Across from the parking lot is the office. It is on the south side of the large gray building.
  • Click here to map your route.

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Channel Islands Aviation

305 Durley Avenue

Camarillo, CA 93010

(805) 987-1301

www.flycia.com

Channel Islands Aviation is located in the Camarillo Airport in Camarillo, California. Camarillo is located 86 miles north of Los Angeles and 14 miles south of Ventura.

From the 101 Freeway northbound:

  • Take the Las Posas Road exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Las Posas.
  • Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Road.
  • Turn right onto Airport Way.
  • Turn left onto Durley Avenue. Turn right at our sign. Parking is free.
  • Click here to map your route.

From the 101 Freeway southbound:

  • Take the Las Posas Road exit.
  • At the end of the freeway exit, turn right on Las Posas.
  • Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Road.
  • Turn right onto Airport Way.
  • Turn left onto Durley Avenue.
  • Turn right at our sign. Parking is free.
  • Click here to map your route.

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Nesting California brown pelican

Did You Know?
Channel Islands National Park has more endangered species that only exist within this park than any other unit of the National Park Service. This means that survival of these plants and animals depends entirely on our ability to protect and restore the habitat of the five park islands.

Last Updated: September 01, 2011 at 11:52 MST