4.5Alcatraz Island(55.9k reviews) - Hard Time, Now Historic Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Islands
Alcatraz Island was once the most secure federal prison in the U.S., and held notorious inmates like Al Capone. After being decommissioned in 1963, the prison is now a museum, welcoming millions of curious travelers every year. Catch the ferry on Pier 33 to Alcatraz and explore the island at your own pace as you soak up the views of San Francisco and the bay. You can take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about the intriguing anecdotes about the facility’s fascinating history. But book your spots early—tickets sell out fast. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Coronado Island(3.044 reviews) - Lovely place to visit! Spent 2-3 hours Islands
Featuring miles of spacious beaches, a pretty main street, and a historic seafront resort, Coronado Island makes a pleasant day trip from San Diego. Walk along Orange Avenue to browse the boutiques and try great food, from cozy bistros to burger joints. Head off to the waterfront to explore the dunes and lounge on the soft sand of the island’s several beaches. For an exclusive experience, stay in the luxurious Hotel del Coronado, which has hosted presidents and royals. You can drive to Coronado Island through Coronado Bridge or take a 15-minute ferry ride from Broadway Pier in San Diego. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Balboa Island(1.434 reviews) - Fun vibe even during COVID! Islands
This charming man-made island has been around for over a century and is filled with cozy homes and mouth-watering eateries. Here, you can enjoy a scenic walk along the waterfront, explore the adjacent Collins Island, check out the small Balboa Island Museum, or rent a bike to explore the peaceful streets. When it's time for lunch, head over to Marine Avenue where you'll find family-owned taverns, Swiss bistros, and classic diners. Make sure to stop by the taffy store for some sweet treats, too. Visit during the holiday season to see homeowners decorate their homes in sparkling festive lights. If you're keen on dolphin and whale-watching, many boat tours depart from Balboa Island. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Naple Canals(373 reviews) - Holiday Lights are Must See! Islands
Experience the charm of Italy in the south of California. Located in Long Beach, Naples is a dreamland consisting of three islands, which are separated by a series of canals that lead to Alamitos Bay. Second Street—a 15-block shopping, dining, and entertainment district—offers everything you need, while breezy Naples Plaza and family-friendly Marina Beach are great spots to enjoy the outdoors. During summer, swing by the Colonnade for live music. To get around the islands, travelers can stroll along tranquil walkways, cruise on Venetian gondolas, or even cycle in the lagoon on hydro bikes. – TripadvisorSee more..
We really enjoyed our visit here and all the unique formations. This place is definitely unique. Make sure you visit the visitors center to learn more about the history of this lake and the tufas. This lake has not only unusual formations but the saltiness of the water makes it the home of hundreds of brine shrimp which are harvested from the lake. The tufas at the south end of the lake are the best.See more..
4.5Santa Cruz Island(315 reviews) - Santa Cruz Island - truly a unique destination - Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Islands
Located off the coast of Santa Barbara, this island is a popular place for kayaking and exploring sea caves.See more..
4.5Catalina Island Conservancy(241 reviews) - Excellent, do it1 Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Islands • Nature & Wildlife Areas
The Trailhead is the perfect place to begin your Catalina adventure! It is the flagship facility for Catalina Island Conservancy, serving as the gateway to the Island's wildlands. Resources found at the Trailhead help you make the most of your time exploring the Island's 42,000 acres of open space. Visitors to Catalina Island maximize their experience with a stop at the three-story, 9,000-sq.-ft. Trailhead. While there, obtain hiking and biking permits, detailed information on campgrounds, native flora and fauna, ecology and history. It's also a great place to fuel up before your Catalina adventures, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily at Toyon Grill. The Trailhead is a destination, complete with interpretive exhibits and an expansion of the Conservancy's popular lecture series. With a rooftop garden that offers stunning views and an extensive collection of retail items, you won't want to miss the Trailhead.See more..
4.5Anacapa Island(104 reviews) - Beautiful place! National Parks • Islands
One of the five islands in the Channel Islands National Park, Anacapa is located an hour from Oxnard.See more..
4.0Mare Island(49 reviews) - Amazing place full of history Islands
I'm reading other reviews and it appears that no one bothered to speak to anyone who volunteers there. Sad on so many levels. The folks who work there are a fountain of information. We stopped by there by chance with our young adult children. We consider it to be the best part of our two week vacation in California. It's run down because they changed their policy and the volunteers aren't allowed to help with restorations because they are mostly seniors. If you are local, please volunteer and help maintain a wonderful bit of history. You can find actual footage of it during it's time of operation in the documentary about the Indianapolis. Make sure to visit the WWII Navy ship anchored at the dock. Take the time to schedule an appointment to visit the beautiful officers quarters . Read all of the daily accounts from life. There are logs, newspaper articles, so much history and a great learning experience. Much better that Disneyland, Universal Studios and such costly tourist traps.See more..
I love the Channel Islands! It is the perfect way to escape the craziness going on in the mainland! The trip out is half the fun. We saw a group of about 100 plus dolphins that chased us for part of the ride, and then we saw a whale off in the distance. The island itself is beautiful! White sand beaches with turquoise waters, and best of all, no one is there! We originally went to see Lobo Canyon, but the timing for the day trip is not long enough (it is nine miles round trip). We had to pivot, and instead walked along a ~2 mile beach strip, which was entrancing. The island is truly special. We were then treated to an unexpected treat on the ferry home, and stopped for a quick photo shoot at the Painted Cave. Truly special day, and I would highly recommend it!See more..
4.5Castle Island(22 reviews) - Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge Islands
This is a beautiful island that is restricted to non-human wildlife. In June the Common Murre nests here and you can see up-close video in real time if you go to the National Park Information Center at 1111 2nd St. in Crescent City where a large screen displays activity being recorded by a camera on Castle Rock.See more..
I think the National Park Service and the Ferry from the coast should make it easier to get there. I wanted to go to see the seals, but found out that you would probably have to plan to stay overnight after an 8 mile walk to just get there, see it, then travel the 8 miles or so back. With the Ferry time over there and the absorb price to fly to the place , it just is not reachable for the average tourist. I am a big fan of the National Park system and like to get to the far away places that are not visited much like Katmai where we are going this next August, and the Channel Islands. We did get to see two of them, but unfortunately not San Miguel. See more..
It's a beautiful place to see in nature. I've seen the island as part of a whale watch and tour. If you get a chance to visit this island, I would take it.See more..
