Category: Adventure

Activities, tours and trips for outdoor vacations Santa Barbara, California.

Island Scrub Jays: The Hardest-Working Birds in North America

Bird watchers travel from all corners of the world to get a glimpse of the rare Island Scrub Jay. Photo by Chuck Graham. I followed a flash of blue in the dense oak woodland while hiking a side canyon within Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz Island. The lone endemic island scrub jay was doing what…

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Channel Islands Wildlife: Harbor Seals

From a distance, kayakers observe a cozy harbor seal soaking up some sun rays. Photo by Chuck Graham. There’s something about their sweet pushed-in faces and long whiskers, as they seemingly smile at us as we paddle onto the next toothy sea cave around Scorpion Anchorage, on the long southeast finger of Santa Cruz Island.…

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4 Reasons Why Winter at Channel Islands Is the Ultimate Family Adventure

Winter kayaking at Scorpion Anchorage. Photo by Chuck Graham. Are you looking for a unique and memorable way to spend the holidays with your loved ones? Channel Islands National Park offers a bucket-list-worthy adventure you will remember for the rest of your life. Here are four reasons why sea cave kayaking at this stunning location…

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Late Summer Bliss on Santa Cruz Island

I’ve heard Southern California doesn’t have a change in the seasons. I’ve always scoffed at that notion, especially out at the Channel Islands National Park. Each August, I can feel a gradual shift from late summer into early fall, approaching like a wispy warm easterly wind. It’s arguably the best time of year to experience…

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Kayaking Potato Harbor: The Ultimate Channel Islands Adventure

Kayakers at Potato Harbor. Photo by Chuck Graham. Nearly finished with another circumnavigation of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, my friend Craig Fernandez and I made a pit stop inside Potato Harbor. While stretching stiff legs along the cobbled shoreline within a pocket cove inside the harbor, one of the islands’ many natural wonders…

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kayaking Channel Islands

Fun Things to Do in Santa Barbara: July (2024)

Summertime is well underway in California! Check out some of our favorite places and tips for enjoying the best Santa Barbara has to offer in July. We have included as much helpful information as possible, but in case we missed anything, feel free to add details in the comments section below. Snorkel Tours at Channel…

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The Island Fox: An Icon’s Triumph on Santa Cruz Island

Island fox on an agave plant at Santa Cruz Island. Photo by Chuck Graham. There was a time on Santa Cruz Island when one could go days without seeing an island fox. There was a time when you would easily see more feral pigs than the endemic Urocyon littoralis.  That was in 1999 when non-native…

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2023 Superbloom: Chasing Island Wildflowers

Photo of seaside daises and kayakers at Scorpion Anchorage by Chuck Graham. After four months of steady, consistent 2022/23 winter rains, anticipation mounts amongst island lovers for an incoming, colorful, vibrant spring. Waterfalls are gushing off sheer cliffs, and side canyons that are typically dry are like vital tributaries breathing life into significant canyons such…

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Kayak guide Aubrie Fowler leads a sea cave kayak tour at Scorpion Anchorage

Exploring the Channel Islands with Kayak Guide Aubrie Fowler

To say Aubrie Fowler wears many hats might be a slight understatement. She’s been leading kayak and snorkel tours for Santa Barbara Adventure Company (SBACo) at Scorpion Anchorage on the Southeast fringe of Santa Cruz Island at Channel Islands National Park since the spring of 2018. She’s also on the ground (and in the water)…

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Santa Barbara Adventure Company awarded “2023 Hospitality Business of the Year”

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that our company has been named 2023 Hospitality Business of the Year by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce! Our team, including President Michael Cohen, attended the Annual Meeting & Business Awards on February 2nd where Michael humbly accepted the award and shared these thoughts: “My heart is full…

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