Channel Islands National Park: Santa Barbara Island Loop Trail
Santa Barbara Island is the smallest island in the Channel Islands National Park. It's the most remote and furthest offshore, roughly 45 miles. One loop trail covers the one-square-mile islet. The windswept isle is home to seals, sea lions, seabirds and the secretive island night lizard.
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134 – After the Island Packers boat drops you off at the Landing Cove, hike up the steps/trail to the top of the marine terrace where the ranger’s quarters are and interpretive signs and maps detail the hike.
135 – Head west past the ranger’s quarters with the campground on your left.
136 – At the T-junction head south and to the left to another marine terrace. Listen for thousands of California sea lions bellowing below and to your left.
137 – At the Y-junction bear left and to the south. You’ll come to a series of stakes marking the trail. Easy to follow as there are no trees or bushes on this island.
138 – There’s a bench here to sit on with fantastic overlook of the Pacific Ocean. You can view the sea lion rookery from here and see Catalina Island to the south.
139 – Head south to Sutil Rock, about an eighth of a mile offshore. Watch swell and currents from the west and south slam this broad rock outcropping, a favorite of roosting seabirds like western gulls and pigeon guillemots.
140 – After a short but steep ascent west, the track levels out and heads east to more stunning, rugged scenery.
141 – Hike along the apex of the island still bearing east. This vantage point offers an entire view of the island.
142 – Head west and to the left toward a lower marine terrace, following the easy switchbacks to a bluff. Carefully skirt the edge of the bluff to see more sea lions and beautiful secnery of offshore reefs, waves and rocky pinnacles.
143 – At the T-junction bear left ascending back up a steep ridge across several long switchbacks to the apex of the island.
144 – At the Y-junction bear right past a stalks of coreopsis, a California native flower down to Arch Point.
145 – At Arch Point you’ll see to the south the Landing Cove where kayakers and sea lions play in the protected natural harbor.
146 – At the Y-junction bear left past the ranger’s quarters back down to the Landing Cove.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.9
Waypoints
146
Location: 33.480904, -119.031019
16-OCT-09 4:15:29PM
145
Location: 33.486258, -119.030403
16-OCT-09 4:06:48PM
144
Location: 33.483752, -119.034324
16-OCT-09 3:56:10PM
143
Location: 33.480677, -119.03671
16-OCT-09 3:50:24PM
142
Location: 33.476057, -119.037397
16-OCT-09 3:19:14PM
141
Location: 33.47313, -119.039958
16-OCT-09 3:13:43PM
140
Location: 33.471868, -119.041528
16-OCT-09 3:08:49PM
139
Location: 33.468176, -119.039418
16-OCT-09 3:01:05PM
138
Location: 33.47254, -119.032735
16-OCT-09 2:44:46PM
137
Location: 33.478452, -119.034007
16-OCT-09 2:29:55PM
136
Location: 33.480883, -119.030996
16-OCT-09 2:23:25PM
135
Location: 33.480768, -119.029704
16-OCT-09 2:20:37PM
134
Location: 33.481558, -119.029591
16-OCT-09 2:13:57PM
ChuckGraham_SBIsle_IMG_034.jpg
Location: 33.481818, -119.029441
Hiking up from Landing Cove on the south side of SB Island, the only place to access the island from the Island Packers boat.
ChuckGraham_SutilIsland_IMG_030.jpg
Location: 33.46886, -119.039311
Great vantage point of Sutil Rock. On a clear day you can see Catalina, San Clemente and San Nicholas Islands further south.
ChuckGraham_SBIsle_IMG_024.jpg
Location: 33.481245, -119.03635
Overlook at Elephant Seal Cove, a popular haul out for migrating northern elephant seals.
ChuckGraham_SBIsle_IMG_032.jpg
Location: 33.473191, -119.032445
Another fantastic overlook, this one watches over thousands of California sea lions
ChuckGraham_SBIsle_IMG_027.jpg
Location: 33.476377, -119.037251
This shot is below Signal Peak, the highest point on the island at 634 feet.
