A quick weekend trip to the Channel Islands in Oxnard, California. I needed to re-use the 25,000 AA miles I originally used to book OKC-LAX last year for my December trip to Tokyo. I had to cancel that trip due to my ACL tear. AA was gracious enough to let me rebook with no fees, and this turned out to be this August weekend. Flew direct OKC-LAX on an E-175. Great flights both ways, but LAX sucks, especially the gates of “60” at a satellite terminal + bus ride. Getting to rental car places is a circus.
Stayed in Oxnard and took boat cruises out to the Channel Islands Saturday and Sunday morning. Also took a whale watching tour on Saturday evening from San Pedro/Port of Los Angeles.
I took the Island Packers ferry to Anacapa Island on Saturday and hiked on the island to Inspiration Point. This is one of the most underrated spots in the National Park system. Absolutely stunning. The arch rock at the other end of the island is also very photogenic, almost iconic. This park is under the radar and one of the cooler attractions in the Los Angeles area.
Sea Lions in Oxnard HarborThese loud jerks apparently sleep all day and make noise all night
California Brown Pelican
Evergreen Ever Strong container shipShip is 300m long (984ft) and can carry almost 6000 containers
Anacapa IslandChannel Islands National Park
Looking east on the south shore of Anacapa IslandChannel Islands National Park
Inspiration PointAnacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park
Inspiration PointInspiration Point on Anacapa Islands in Channel Islands National Park
Arch RockAnacapa Island Arch, Channel Islands National Park
Arch RockAnacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park
Dolphins jumpingChannel Islands National Park
Common DolphinsChannel Islands National Park
Dolphins and Anacapa IslandDolphins jump in front of Anacapa Island in the Channel Islands National Park in California
Common Dolphins
Common Dolphins
Sail Boat off Oxnard
Cosco container ship
Port of Los Angeles Warehouse No 1The Port of Los Angeles as I embarqued on a Whale Watching Tour in 2016
Dolphin Jumping
Dolphins jumping a wave
Dolphins
Fin WhaleFin whale in the Channel Islands making a deep dive
Ben Holcomb is a Storm Chaser and IT Professional (in that order) that lives in Norman, Oklahoma. Ben works for an IT managed service provider as a Linux Engineer. He has observed approximately 200 tornadoes since 2007 and has appeared on most national television networks. Ben loves to travel and has been to all 50 states and 19 countries.