Getting to Channel Islands National Park off the California coast takes a little bit of planning and preparation. The visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara, California, are accessible on the mainland by private or public transportation, but to get to any of the five islands comprising this national park, you’ll need to take a park concessionaire boat or private boat. Private aircraft may not land within park boundaries, and the commercial airline that used to fly visitors regularly to Santa Rosa Island stopped service in 2021.
Once you are on any of the islands, there is no mode of transport other than by foot (bicycles are not allowed), or, you can kayak around the islands and explore the park in that manner.
If you choose to fly to California, the closest airport with a variety of airline choices is the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Other nearby airports are Burbank (Bob Hope) Airport, Santa Barbara Airport, and Camarillo and Oxnard Airports.
From there, you can rent a vehicle and drive to the visitor centers and Island Packers or park at your mainland lodging and take public transportation.
Trains
Buses
Getting To The Islands
If you don’t have your own kayak or motorboat, you can book a spot with Island Packers, a National Park Service authorized concessionaire that will take you to one or all the five islands. Island Packers can also help you prepare for a Channel Islands visit, book a campsite, take a guided hiking tour, take an offshore cruise to view birds, whales, and other wildlife, rent a kayak, take a guided kayak tour, or ferry your personal kayak to the islands.
There is no transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak.
For driving directions to the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, the Outdoor Santa Barbara Visitor Center, and Island Packers, head over to this page.
For more information about transportation to the islands themselves, head over to this page.
- By Rebecca Latson - June 7th, 2026 9:49am
