Overview of the California Channel Islands

Channel Islands National Park sits 22 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. Touted as the (Galapagos of North America,) the chain of five islands is home to 2,000 plus plants and animals, many of which can only be found on the islands. Whether you enjoy watching wildlife, kayaking, SCUBA diving, camping or island-hopping by boat, there are many things to do and ways to explore the Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands (Spanish - islas del Canal, Archipielago del Norte) are an eight-island archipelago located within the Southern California Bight in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California. They define the Santa Barbara Channel, which sits between the islands and the California mainland. The four Northern Channel Islands are part of the Transverse Ranges geologic province, and the four Southern Channel Islands are part of the Peninsular Ranges province.

Five of the islands are within the Channel Islands National Park, and the waters surrounding these islands make up Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The Nature Conservancy was instrumental in establishing the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

The Chumash and Tongva Native Americans who lived later on the islands may be the descendants of the original inhabitants, but they were then displaced by Spaniards who used the islands for fishing and agriculture.

The Channel Islands and the surrounding waters house a diverse ecosystem with many endemic species and subspecies. The islands harbor 150 unique species of plants.

Two of the islands, San Clemente Island and San Nicolas Island, are used by the US Navy as training grounds, weapons test sites, and as strategic defensive locations




 Islands I have Visited Around the World

I have created a single page listing so far, all of the islands I have visited over the years! The first time I went to an island was in December of 1961, over Christmas and the New Year, 1962, from the midwest to the Bahamas! Now I have multiple islands to view as I look at the San Francisco Bay! I did a cruise to the Farollon Island about 25 miles west of San Francisco, located on the western side of the San Andreas fault. These islands are moving north and eventually Las Angeles will be across the ocean from San Francisco. Only a few million years from now!


Here I am in 2014, cruising around the Farrollon Islands!




  1. Sicily
  2. Sardinia
  3. Crete
  4. Malta
  5. Rhodes
  6. Santerini
  7. England
  8. Ireland
  9. Azores Islands
  10. Cuba
  11. Puerto Rico
  12. Bahamas
  13. Sint Maarten
  14. U.S. Virgin Islands
  15. St. Kitts
  16. Dominican Republic
  1. Phuket - Thailand
  2. Taiwan
  3. Ile de la Cite - Paris
  4. Grand Cayman
  5. Cosumel - Mexico
  6. Juneau - Alaska
  7. Java - Indonesia
  8. Komodo - Indonesia
  9. Bali - Indonesia
  10. Lombak - Indonesia
  11. Sri Lanka
  12. Angel Island
  13. Alcatraz Island
  14. Yerba Buena Island
  15. Belvedere Island
  16. Kauai
  1. Oahu
  2. Maui
  3. Hawaii the Big Island
  4. Singapore
  5. Easter Island
  6. Hong Kong
  7. Fiji
  8. New Zealand
  9. Jamaica
  10. Ometepe Island - Nicaragua
  11. Philae Island - Egypt
  12. Victoria - British Columbia
  13. Macau
  14. Santa Catalina Island Future Trip




 Proposed Schedule to visit Long Beach





 Southwest Airlines - SFO to LGB - 10.02.2024





 Long Beach Overview

Long Beach is a coastal city and port in Southern California. Moored in its Queensway Bay, RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner and museum ship. The waterfront Aquarium of the Pacific features touch tanks and a shark lagoon. Modern and contemporary works are on display at the Museum of Latin American Art. Rancho Los Cerritos is a 19th century adobe home and museum set in expansive gardens.

  • Population: 451,307 (2022)
  • Tax rate: 10.25%
  • Elevation: 52 ft (16 m)
  • Incorporated: December 13, 1897

Catalina Express goes from 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach (catalinaexpress.com)

Los Angeles schools start August 12th, so that might cut down on the crowds. Also, some things on Catalina close after Labor Day, so if you go then check to make sure the submarine, etc are still available.




 Long Beach Hotel - 10.02.2024

Motel 6 is one of the less expensive places to stay. On Santa Catalina Island most room are over $400 a night.

Aquarium of the Pacific and Queen Mary are also close by if you're interested in visiting either of them.

Ocean Blvd. has a lot of restaurants in the area also, Bubba Gumps, and so on.





 Map of Down Town Long Beach



....................... Map of Long Beach ........................




 Aquarium of the Pacific - 10.03.2024




Long Beach

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Long Beach

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 Queen Mary Tour - 10.04.2024



I have been on cruise ships all over the world. Interesting, I was on the new Queen Mary 2 on a cross the Atlantic cruise from Southampton England to New Jersey/New York City.


Long Beach

2019 - Southampton - Queen Mary 2

Long Beach

Chuck & Virginia Crossing the Atlantic



Long Beach

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Long Beach

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Long Beach

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Long Beach

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 Overview of Santa Catalina Island - 10.05.2024


Santa Catalina, one of California's Channel Islands, lies southwest of Los Angeles. It's known for its wildlife, dive sites and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak. The resort town of Two Harbors lies to the north. To the south, in the city of Avalon, palm trees and cabanas line Descanso Beach. Avalon's circular, art deco Catalina Casino is a cultural center with a movie theater, ballroom and museum.

  • Population: 4,096 (2010)
  • Pop. density: 55 sq mi (21.2/km2)
  • Area: 74.98 sq mi (194.2 km2)
  • Size: about 76 square miles
  • Archipelago: Channel Islands of California
  • Highest elevation: 2,097 ft (639.2 m)





 Catalina Express - 10.05.2024

Catalina Island is just an hour away with year-round boat transportation and up to 30 departures daily. Boats depart from ports in San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina is only 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. Catalina Express' fleet of eight fast, modern boats make for a quick, easy and fun getaway.


Catalina Express

Experience the picturesque town of Avalon filled with activities on land and sea, or the rustic village of Two Harbors, with spectacular campgrounds and beautiful beaches. From scenic beauty, high adventure activities, great rest and relaxation, Catalina Island has it all. Take the trip for a day, or stay overnight. Book your Catalina Island ferry online now!

Catalina Express goes from 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach (catalinaexpress.com)





 Possible Tours - Catalina Island - 10.05.2024


I called the tour company and indicated I wanted to visit the first week of October. All the tours I was interested in stopped by the end of September or were only available sometimes, only two days of the month. I wondered how that could be. Perhaps I should just go to the island and go to the tour office and see if anything was available that day. Also, maybe cut one of my days at the hotel to save the money. Time will tell.

Santa Catalina


Phone: 1 800 626 1496




The Catalina Casino Ticket and Waiver - 08.05.2024

Santa Catalina




Return Trip on the Ferry - 08.05.2024

Santa Catalina





 Santa Catalina California Channel Island Photos - 10.05.2024



Santa Catalina

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Santa Catalina

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Santa Catalina

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Santa Catalina

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Santa Catalina

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Santa Catalina

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 My Friend Gail May Visit Me in Long Beach - 10.06.2024


I met Gail around 2003 and we traveled to the Netherlands on a cruise, to Zambia and Victory Falls and on to South Africa. Later to Yellowstone National Park and also she visited me in San Francisco where we drove to Napa and took the wine train on a tour including wine and lunch. She also celebrated my birthday in Las Vegas at the Belagio Hotel with a special dinner in the high end restaurant overlooking the fountains.

Gail gave me some tips on how to manage my trip as she used to be a high profile travel agent in Los Angeles.

Hopefully she will drive from LA to Long Beach as I haven't seen her in a few years!


Gail Porter & Chuck

2004 - Netherlands - Cruise

Gail Porter & Chuck

2005 - Venice Beach


Gail Porter & Chuck

2006 - Santa Monica

Gail Porter & Chuck

2006 - Zambia - Victoria Falls


Gail Porter & Chuck

2006 - South Africa - Safari

Gail Porter & Chuck

2010 - Napa - Wine Train


Gail Porter & Chuck

2010 - Yellowstone - National Park

Gail Porter & Chuck

2010 - Las Vegas - Chuck's 70th Birthday


Gail Porter & Chuck

2011 - Santa Anita - Horse Racing

Gail Porter & Chuck

2024 - Long Beach - Chuck & Gail


Gail Porter & Chuck

2024 - Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

Gail Porter & Chuck

2024 - Long Beach - Chuck & Gail




 Photos of Long Beach - 10.06.2024


Long Beach

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Long Beach

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 Tickets for all the Venues - 10.02.2024



Tickets

Tickets




 Southwest Flight from LGB to SFO - 10.07.2024





 Chuck's View from Home - 10.07.2024


Chuck's view of San Francisco from his apartment on the 28th floor.





  Created on: 2024.08.01 Chuck Buntjer's Home Page Updated on: 2024.08.23