The Channel Islands, off the coast of Los Angeles, California are often called the Galapagos of North America, with peaks rising to 2000 feet and freshwater springs flowing year round. Santa Cruz Island is host to more than 1000 species of plants and animals. Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands contain fossils ranging from marine animals without spines to Pleistocene elephants. We will spend a week mixing some serious open water sailing with exploring nature’s beauty at several of these islands. Our sailing area will include the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary [http://www.cinms.nos.noaa.gov/], a 1252 square nautical mile portion of the Santa Barbara Channel.

The journey starts in Long Beach, California at the Harbor Yacht Club, next door to the Queen Mary, which is not available for bareboat chartering. Plan on arriving around midday Saturday so that we can provision the boats, stow gear, do boat checkouts and get underway for a nearby anchorage at Island White. The next morning it’s an early start to Catalina Island, just “26 Miles Across The Sea,” and the harbor town of Avalon. We should arrive early enough at Avalon to allow time to explore this popular spot without the throngs of tourists that show up later in the summer.

On Monday it’s another early start as the goal is to sail north about 40 miles to Channel Islands Harbor at Oxnard, back on the mainland (keep an eye out for whales!). This will be a long, open water sail, which will leave us well positioned to explore the northern islands over the next few days. In particular, we are hoping to visit [information courtesy of http://www.nps.gov/chis]:

Anacapa – Waves have eroded the volcanic island, creating steep, towering sea cliffs, sea caves, and natural bridges, such as forty-foot-high Arch Rock—the symbol of Anacapa and Channel Islands National Park. The rocky shores of Anacapa are perfect resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor seals. Two overlooks (Cathedral Cove and Pinniped Point) provide excellent vantage spots to look down them in the island coves. The raucous barking of sea lions can be heard from most areas of the island.

Santa Cruz – At over 96 square miles in size and California's largest island, Santa Cruz contains two rugged mountain ranges, the highest peaks on the islands (rising above 2,000 feet), a large central valley/fault system, deep canyons with year-round springs and streams, and 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tide pools, and expansive beaches. One of the largest and deepest sea caves in the world, Painted Cave, is found on the northwest coastline of Santa Cruz. Named because of its colorful rock types, lichens, and algae, Painted Cave is nearly a quarter-mile long and 100 feet wide, with an entrance ceiling of 160 feet and a waterfall over this entrance in the spring.



San MiguelIsland – Boaters entering Cuyler Harbor receive a greeting from western gulls, California brown pelicans, cormorants, and Cassin’s auklets that nest on Prince Island. Black oystercatchers, with their bright red bills and pink feet, feed along the beach. Terrestrial residents include the western meadowlark, the rock San Miguel Island 18 Island Views wren, and the song sparrow. In addition to the variety of natural resources, San Miguel hosts an array of cultural resources as well. The Chumash Indians lived on San Miguel almost continuously for over 11,000 years. Today there are over 600 fragile, relatively undisturbed archeological sites. The oldest one dates back to 11,600 — some of the oldest evidence of human presence in North America.

Alas, civilization beckons, so on Friday we will head south, on a brisk 40 mile beam reach, back to Catalina Island in far less time than it took to go the other way. We will anchor, or take a mooring, in one of the coves along the island, or possibly at Two Harbors, where slips may be available. Our final day is a seemingly short sail back to Long Beach and the charter base, arriving in the late afternoon on Saturday. Our charter doesn’t officially end until Sunday morning, so you may want to enjoy Saturday evening and some fine dining in town.

The cost of the trip is $1100.00 per person (Skippers - $585.00). This price covers charter fees, insurance and two nights’ slip fees. Food, fuel, and other incidental expenses are additional and will be handled by each boat’s crew. A $200.00 deposit is required to hold your position. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation form, to Steve Krakauer at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning April 13, 2007 with a random draw of those received by that date. All reservations received after that date are on a first-come, first-served basis. The balance of $900.00 will be due May 10, 2007.

A pre-trip meeting will be held at a time and place to be announced. All crewmembers should make every effort to attend in order to meet your crewmates, plan your meals, and make travel plans.