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California

The Wildlife & Wonders of Channel Islands National Park

Program No. 14758RJ

Explore the pristine ecology of Channel Islands National Park, discovering a wealth of unique flora, fauna and geology as you learn the islands’ story from local naturalists.

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National Parks

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Itinerary

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Duration

6 days

5 nights

What's Included

12 meals ( 5B, 3L, 4D )

6 expert-led lectures

4 expert-led field trips

An experienced Group Leader

5 nights of accommodations

Taxes and customary gratuity

Road Scholar Assurance Plan

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Day

Registration, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Location: Ventura, California

Meals: D

Stay: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity Note

Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon:

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please contact your group leader. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Weather in the Channel Islands can be unpredictable; indicated times should be considered provisional. Refer to the document attached in your information packet, “What to expect on your island days!” for more detailed information about the islands we will be visiting. Bring your personal, reusable water bottle on field trips. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day

Channel Islands National Park, Largomarsino Visitor Center

Location: Ventura, California

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles, approximately 15 mins. Walking up to 1/2 mile; generally flat terrain. Note: Islands accessible by park concessionaire boats. No motorized transportation on the islands; all areas accessed on foot; bicycles not allowed.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We start our morning with a geology lecture at the hotel. We will be joined by a local expert for a lecture about the geologic past of the Channel Islands. Trace the islands' history back millions of years and learn about the how the islands came to be where they are now. After the lecture, we will board a motor coach at the hotel and drive to the Channel Islands National Park Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor. There, we’ll watch a short movie, “Treasure in the Sea,” narrated by Kevin Costner. We’ll also meet and talk with park personnel, walk through the native plant garden, and view exhibits that highlight the natural and cultural features of the islands. We’ll then have some time for independent exploration to browse and enjoy the scenic view from the tower before walking into Harbor Village.

Lunch:

At a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

We will be joined by our naturalist for an orientation covering the logistics and details of tomorrow's field trip to the islands. Learn about the geologic history and the animals that live in and around the islands.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

After dinner we will learn about the local Chumash community from a local expert. The Chumash have lived in what we now call the Southern California area for generations and have a connection with the Channel Islands. There are several communities of Chumash that live from the coast to the mountains whose populations were in the thousands prior to European contact.

Day

Island Full-day Field Trip by Boat

Location: Ventura, California

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 5 miles, approx. 1/2 hour total. Getting on/off a boat, riding about 1 hour each way, dependent on ocean conditions. Walking up to 2 to 4 miles on uneven, dirt trails; if we go to Anacapa, climbing approx. 157 steps to island from pier, no elevator. Layered clothing, rubber-soled shoes recommended. Note: The boat captain will make decision about departure morning of based on ocean conditions. We will have alternate activities if boats cancel.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will drive via motor coach to the harbor where we will board the Island Packers’ boat (foil assisted catamaran) to begin a full-day island field trip within Channel Islands National Park. Our program is planned far in advance, and the exact landing locations will be determined when tide schedules are made available later in 2025 in conjunction with our vendor’s schedule. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent before your program departure. One of the possible landings on the schedule could be Anacapa Island which includes climbing 157 steps to the island’s plateau; there is no elevator. Our field trip will include a naturalist-led hike on dirt trails within Channel Islands National Park. Our naturalist will split the group into smaller groups based on hiking ability. Participants will be able to choose between easy to moderate trails during our full day field trip to the islands. Note: Trips to the Channel Islands are weather-dependent and subject to cancellation by the boat’s captain depending on ocean conditions, which can be rough in the Santa Barbara Channel. Island Packers will closely monitor the wind, weather, and ocean swell when determining if it is safe to cross the channel to the islands. Should the island field trip be cancelled, we will have other activities planned on the mainland.

Lunch:

At a scenic spot on the island, we’ll have boxed lunches. There are few trash cans on the island. Our lunches are packed so that all trash can fit in a pocket to carry away. Please be sure you bring your reusable water bottle to the island.

Afternoon:

Our field trip on the island will continue through the afternoon. The boat will return to the mainland late afternoon between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Dinner:

At Aloha Steakhouse.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Channel Islands Lecture, Ventura Botanical Gardens

Location: Ventura, California

Meals: B

Stay: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity Note

Walking a total of 1 mile at the botanical gardens on well-maintained dirt paths with incline up to 20% grade, total of 400 feet elevation gain within 1 mile. Walking 12 blocks to gardens from hotel on city streets and sidewalks. Any additional walking and other activities during independent exploration will be based on personal choice.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

After breakfast, we’ll gather with our expert for a presentation at the hotel to continue learning about what makes the Channel Islands so special. Our naturalist will give the group an orientation covering the logistics and details of tomorrow's field trip to the islands. Learn about the geologic history and the animals that live in and around the islands. About 1/3 the size of Rhode Island, these islands contain archaeological wonders. They have since been inhabited by Native American populations, who use tumols — canoe-like boats — to travel between the islands and the mainland. The oldest skeleton found in North America, believed to be nearly 13,000 years old, was discovered on Santa Rosa Island in 1959. After our morning lecture, we will walk toward downtown Ventura for our first field trip of the day to the Ventura Botanical Gardens. Explore the well-maintained dirt paths with curated gardens that represent five Mediterranean climate zones, which includes California. Enjoy beautiful views of the coast with the Channel Islands on the horizon.

Lunch:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon:

The remainder of the afternoon will be free for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you in Ventura. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Dinner:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like.

Evening:

We will be joined by a local expert for a presentation on the Island Fox, an endemic species to the Channel Islands. This species almost went extinct from a shift in the ecosystem due to human use of DDT. Learn about the recovery story and current state of fox populations.

Day

Island Full-day Field Trip by Boat

Location: Ventura, California

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Activity Note

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Lunch:

Afternoon:

Our field trip on the island will continue through the afternoon. The boat will return to the mainland late afternoon between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day

Wrap-up Session, Program Concludes

Location: Ventura, California

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Channel Islands National Park and its 175 miles of pristine coastline are within 60 miles of 18 million people, yet it has fewer than 300,000 visitors a year — quite low for an American national park. In our closing session, we will be joined by a local author to hear about his journey of discovery on the islands. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.

Nov 15 - Nov 20, 2026 Itinerary Differences: Meals: 12 total (5B, 3L, 4D)

The Wildlife & Wonders of Channel Islands National Park

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

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