Channel Islands National Park

A typical scene on Anacapa — birds, a lighthouse and a visitor or two. The lighthouse began service in 1932 and is the last permanent one built on the West Coast. The park, accessible only by boat or plane, draws few people to its shores; only about 80,000 visit each year.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors on East Anacapa Island take in the view of Middle and West Anacapa islands. Anacapa is accessible by ferry. Those who make the trip find a place that is worlds apart from the mainland. An unspoiled land with an incredible array of plants and animals found nowhere else, hence the nickname — “America’s Galápagos.”  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A hiker captures the view for posterity from Inspiration Point on East Anacapa Island. Sixteen miles southwest of Ventura, Anacapa’s three volcanic islets rise steeply from the sea. The islets seem to float on the horizon like a distant mirage. The name, in fact, is derived from a Chumash word for “mirage.”  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A kayaker navigates around Arch Rock on the eastern end of Anacapa. The rocky, treeless shores have been eroded by wind and waves, creating towering sea cliffs, caves and natural bridges, including 40-foot-high Arch Rock, the symbol of Anacapa and the Channel Islands.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A humpback whale shows off his aquatic acrobatic skills near Anacapa. The big boy kept propelling his 45-ton body out of the water, then slapping back down in backward somersaults. Between breaches, he took mini-breaks, rolling over on his back to expose his white underbelly, then waving his pectoral fins languorously at passengers on a ferry.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Birds take flight into the rising sun over Anacapa Island. Sea birds are everywhere, especially during nesting season. But mind your step — gulls have been known to nest almost in the middle of a trail, and they’re very protective.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Kayakers stand at attention, paddles at the ready, while a guide carefully explains what should and shouldn’t happen during their exploration of the area around Santa Cruz Island. The island is known for its sea caves and exciting kayaking conditions.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Sarah Milligan-Toffler takes in the sunrise view from a boat anchored off Scorpion Ranch, on the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island. Campers slept on board, watching a scarlet moon play hide and seek behind drifting clouds.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Kayakers explore Santa Cruz’s sea caves. On this trip, they got more than they bargained for — wind and rain. The trip through the caves was bracing but fun. “A real thrill,” one camper said.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Benny Weingarden enjoys a quiet afternoon at the Scorpion Bay campground on Santa Cruz Island. Scorpion Ranch is the most popular stop for those who visit the islands; it sometimes gets as many as 150 visitors on a summer day. Not much solitude, but there are plenty of trails to hike, places to picnic and campsites to try in a canyon wooded with eucalyptus.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A fisherman displays a barred surfperch, caught at Water Canyon Beach in Bechers Bay on Santa Rosa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Golden grasses surround an angler returning from a day of fishing on Santa Rosa Island. Don’t feel like fishing? Try a hike into Cherry Canyon along a 3 1/2-mile trail that’s popular with day-trippers. Clusters of flaming Indian paintbrush line the switchbacks, plus there are small groves of live oaks and manzanita.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A lazy line of white surf curls along beautifully shaped Water Canyon Beach on Santa Rosa. Around here, dunes soar 40 feet, the surface unmarked except for tiny waves etched by the wind. If you’re lucky, you’ll see sandpipers scurrying along the wet beach, sea gulls surfing air currents and a curious seal poking its head out of the water offshore.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Island poppy add a splash of color to the landscape on Santa Rosa Island. Feel like staying the night? You can, with reservations. And best of all, each camp site has an ocean view.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

There’s plenty of good hiking, plus a beautiful beach, on San Miguel Island. And because it’s 64 miles from the mainland, there’s solitude in abundance.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)