For Part II of our Winter 26 Travels, we decided that since we were snowbirding for the first time without an RV, and without a dog (she was fine, just staying home with our son), we decided to be more nimble, flex and fly somewhere, and in the process knock another National Park off the list. We flew from Phoenix to LA, drove up the California coast to Ventura, passing through Malibu, which was still recovering from the 2025 fires.
Our hotel was near the center of Ventura, a very walkable and adorable oceanside town. It was from the Ventura port that we caught the 90-minute ferry to the largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz. Along the way, several pods of common dolphins played in the wake of the ferry.
Considered one of America’s most pristine national parks, the Channel Islands are accessible only by boat or plane. They are known as the ‘Galápagos of North America’, and were designated as a National Park in order to protect the nationally significant natural, scenic, wildlife, marine, ecological, archeological, cultural, and scientific values. The California Channel Islands, isolated from the mainland for millions of years, have developed a unique ecosystem containing roughly 150 unique species of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
We enjoyed our hike to the western shore of the island, took a break for lunch, and then headed back to the dock, where we caught a glimpse of the infamous island fox near the pier. We ended the day with a glorious sunset over the Pacific.
Below is the official film of the Channel Islands National Park.
The next day, we made our way back down the coast to Long Beach, where we boarded a ferry to our next destination, Catalina Island. After a one-hour ferry, we disembarked and walked about ten minutes to our hotel. I selected Catalina Island as I had heard about it for some time, and wanted to see it for myself! The small town on the bay initially reminded me of Waikiki, then I realized it was more like Key West. Either way, Catalina (officially Santa Catalina) has a crazy history, including being owned by William Wrigley (yes, the chewing gum entrepreneur). Here is a link to learn more.
Since driving on the one main road atop the 'spine' of the island is only allowed by permit, we took a 2-hour 'Adventure Tour' from the main town to the 'airport in the sky'. During the tour, our guide shared how, after Wrigley purchased the island in 1919, he transformed Catalina into a resort town, hiring many Mexican workers to build infrastructure, including public utilities, roads, the casino (which is not a gambling hall, and hotels. As of 2007, estimates of the Hispanic population in Avalon ranged from nearly half (according to the census) to around 70% (according to Mayor Robert Kennedy), with many descendants of these initial construction workers.
Just like the Channel Islands, Catalina is home to more than 60 species of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. During our tour, we spent a lot of time looking for the famous bison on the island, but we never did see any. The Catalina Island bison herd consists of approximately 80–150 American bison living wild on the island, descendants of a small group brought for a movie in 1924. Apparently, they budgeted to have them brought in, but not to remove them from the island. Similar to the Channel Islands, there are native island foxes, and just as the tour was ending, we spotted one along the road.
After our driving tour, we took a walking tour and stopped in a tiny but beautiful Catholic Church, Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
If I ever return, I'd love to stay longer and see the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden.
After flying back to Tucson, we settled into our Airbnb in Mesa, joining our long-time friends staying in the area for a few weeks. Phase III of the Winter of 2026 here.
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