Channel Island National Park Info and 7 Fun Wildlife Facts

Bet you didn’t know…

7. North America’s Galapagos

Over 150 endemic, or unique, species found nowhere else in the world, including the quick-to-endear island fox, have earned the Channel Islands their nickname as the Galapagos of North America.

6. Largest Breeding Colonies

The largest breeding colonies of seabirds in southern California are found on the Channel Islands.

5. Pygmy Mammoth Fossils

Fossils composing the most complete pygmy mammoth skeleton ever discovered were found on Santa Rosa Island, dating back 13,000 to when they roamed the islands before the last ice age.

4. Pristine Undeveloped Coastline

The park is within 60 miles of 18 million people but remains a well kept secret and one of the least visited national parks, making it a perfect destination to discover 175 miles of pristine undeveloped coastline and step back in time exploring southern California’s coast the way it once was.

3. Sea Cave

One of the largest sea caves in the world is Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island spanning over four football fields in length (1215 feet) and a width of 100 feet with a ceiling height almost as tall as the Leaning Tower of Pisa (160 feet).

2. Oldest Human Remains

At 13,000 years old, the oldest dated human remains in North America belong to the Arlington Springs Man discovered on Santa Rosa Island.

1. Blue Whales

10% of the global blue whale population gathers at Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary each summer, making it home to the largest aggregation of blue whales in the world.
Get off the beaten path and explore it for yourself! 

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