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The Channel Islands, off the Southern California coast, 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 Island contains fossils ranging from marine animals without spines to Pleistocene elephants. We will spend a week mixing some serious open water sailing with exploring a bit of nature’s beauty at several of these islands. Our sailing area will include the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, a 1252 square nautical mile portion of the Santa Barbara Channel.
Sunday, June 5: We set sail for Channel Islands Harbor, just south of Ventura. It's about a 40 mile sail. This is the first day of the open water sailing mentioned above. We’ll take slips for the night, and recover from any remaining jet lag Monday, June 6: It's a relatively short twenty-mile sail to Santa Cruz
Island. It's the biggest Channel Island, and California's largest. According to
legend, it was named for a priest's staff accidentally left on the island during
the Portola expedition of 1769. A Chumash Indian found the cross-tipped stave
and returned it to the priest. The Spaniards were so impressed that they called
this island of friendly people "La Isla de Santa Cruz," the Island of the Sacred
Cross. We should arrive early enough to explore the vastness and variety of
flora, fauna, and geology before dining aboard and settling down for the night.
This should be a good night for stargazing as there is little light pollution in
the area.
Tuesday, June 7: From Santa Cruz Island we'll head north about twenty-five miles to Santa Barbara, where we plan to take slips for the night. Wednesday, June 8: We'll sail a short distance southeast to Ventura Harbor, where we'll take slips and a well-deserved layover day. On the dock in Ventura is the Channel Islands National Park Visitor's Center, where you can get more information on all the wonderful things you've seen and will see, and buy some souvenirs. Thursday, June 9: Layover day in Ventura. Rent a kayak for the day, take a taxi to the Olivas Adobe Historical Park, the Albinger Archeological Museum, or Mission San Buenaventura. Plan on a group dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Saturday, June 11: We make the longest sail of the week, about 45 miles, back to Marina Del Rey and the charter base. Once safely tied up, we can have a dock-side must-go party, or dine out. If you absolutely must be home by Sunday morning, there are some late flights. But the charter doesn't end until 8:00 a.m. Sunday, so relax, and share some of your favorite moments of the week. Sunday, June 12: Off the boats by 8:00 a.m. and head home, or like, wherever. The cost of this trip is $950.00 per person (Skippers - $493.00). The price includes charter fees, fuel, and slip fees for four nights. Provisioning, pump-out, linen and bedding, and other incidentals are additional and will be handled by each boat’s crew. A $150.00 non-refundable deposit and Release of Liability and Zero Tolerance Form must accompany your reservation form. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation and release forms, to Mia McCroskey at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning January 29, 2016 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 $800.00 will be due April 16, 2016. With the exception of the non-refundable deposit, The Club’s standard thirty-day cancellation policy applies for this event. A pre-trip meeting will be held a few weeks before the trip, at a time and place to be announced. All participants should make every effort to attend in order to meet your crewmates, plan your meals, and make travel plans. Please note that sailing conditions are dynamic, that your safety, and that of your crewmates, depends on your good physical health and agility. |
Trip Leader |
Assistant Trip Leader |
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Mia McCroskey 19 Manor House Drive, K-12 Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-0074 miamc@aol.com |
Steve Krakauer
11 Clark Court Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908-306-0898 stevekrak@gmail.com |
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Saturday, June 4: The journey starts in Marina Del Rey, California, a
stone's throw from Los Angeles International Airport. Plan on taking an early
flight in order to arrive around midday. We can then provision the boats, stow
gear, and do checkouts, as it's an early start on Sunday.
Friday, June 10:
We'll start our return south with a short, 15-mile sail to Anacapa Island.
Waves have eroded the volcanic island, creating towering sea cliffs, sea caves,
and Arch Rock - a symbol of Anacapa and the Park. The rocky shores of Anacapa
are perfect resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor
seals. The raucous barking of sea lions can be heard from most areas of the
island. Two overlooks (Cathedral Cove and Pinniped Point) provide excellent
spots to look down on seals and sea lions in the island coves