Day One

Leave LA and catch the morning ferry

• Nearby grocery store · Vons - 2101 North Rose Avenue in Oxnard
• Last pit stop · Harbor Cove Cafe - 1867 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura (2 minutes from Island Packers!)
• Open Monday to Sunday from 7:30 AM to 11 AM and 11:30 AM to 2 PM
• Grab a coffee and breakfast burrito for the ferry ride
• Check-in and pick up your ferry ticket at the Island Packers Office. Ask for an interpretive guide booklet to learn more about the rich cultural history of Santa Rosa Island.
• Before boarding the ferry, separate your backpacking stove fuel, lithium batteries, and water from your pack

Go dolphin and whale-watching!

• It's about a 2.5 hour ferry ride from Ventura to Santa Rosa Island. Island Packers usually stops at Santa Cruz Island prior.
• Arrival timings can vary if the captain decides to pause for dolphin and whale sightings.
• Look out for pods of common dolphins, and grey whales are harder to spot. Whale sightings usually happen from mid- to late-December through mid-March.
• Snacks and drinks are available to be purchased on the ferry.

Welcome to Santa Rosa Island!

• Bask in stunning island views and steady your sea legs on the historical Santa Rosa Island pier

Take the Coastal Trail to Clapp Spring

• It's a 6-mile hike, with 1,946 feet of elevation gain, to Clapp Spring, a reliable source of water on the island
• The trail is entirely exposed so wear sunscreen, a sunhat, sun gloves, and sunglasses. You'll want at least 2 liters of water in the beginning.
• Look out for island foxes!

Arrive at the Clapp Spring turnoff

• Drop your backpack near the Clapp Spring turnoff and bring your water filter and empty water bottles. You'll be coming back to the juncture in order to pick up the trail to Ford Point so this saves you from carrying your pack an extra mile.
• Clapp Spring is a giant water tank so you can't miss it from the trail.
• Use a water filter before drinking any water from Clapp Spring. Fill up on at least a gallon (~4 liters) of water per person per day.
• If you run out of water while backpacking, you'll have to return to Clapp Spring, or the main campground, to refill your water supply.

Hike South Road Trail to Ford Point

• From Clapp Spring, it's another 4.5 miles and 1,028 feet of elevation gain before you reach Ford Point. Pace yourself!
• Ford Point is a sandy beach, which depending on the season, can also be home to herds of sea lions.
• If that happens, follow the map and hike a little further along the bluffs to a flat grassy clearing.
• You might find old metal artifacts from past Santa Rosa Island ranchers. If there's a flat area, park your tent!

Set up camp and enjoy an ocean sunset dinner

• The wind can pick up overnight so be sure to fasten down your tent.
• Cook up dinner. Enjoy the glorious sunset and sound of crashing waves.

Pier to Ford Point: 10 miles - 1,946 feet of elevation gain - 5 to 6 hours

Channel Islands National Park was established in 1980. For over a century before, Santa Rosa Island was occupied by sheep and cattle ranchers.

Day Two

Catch the sunrise and make brekkie

• From this particular perch, you'll be able to watch the sunrise and the sunset. Be sure to wake up and catch them both.

Explore Ford Point and hop into the ocean!

• If the coast is clear from sea lions, take a dip into the cold Pacific Ocean.
• Take it easy today, and manage your water supply so you don't run out before your departure tomorrow.

Lounge around, read, whatever your heart desires

• Enjoy your last night at Santa Rosa Island

Santa Rosa was home to the Island Chumash tribe. In fact, the oldest human remains ever discovered in North America, dating back to 13,000 years ago, was found on Santa Rosa Island.

DAY THREE

Pack up and leave camp by 8 AM

• Cook up brekkie, pick up any random pieces of litter around camp, and save some snacks for the return trek
• Layer on sunscreen, bug spray, and fill up your water bottles!

Hike 4.5 miles to Clapp Spring OR continue to the pier

• You can take another detour to replenish your water supply at Clapp Spring, or your next water resupply is at the main campground.
• There are also clean restrooms available at the campground.

Trek 5 miles back to the pier

• Arrive at least 45 minutes before your departure time
• If you have some time to kill at the pier, climb down the ladder onto the beach and dip your toes into the ocean

Board the ferry and head home!

• It's about a 2.5 hour ferry ride back to Ventura
• Swing by an In N' Out or Shake Shack on the way back to LA

Camp to pier: 9.5 miles with 1,946 feet of elevation gain - 5 to 6 hours

Torrey pines grow naturally in two places on Earth: one area is in San Diego and the other is on Santa Rosa Island.