WASTED
VACATION TIME:
THE MONSTER FEAR!
WHAT'S WORTH THE MONEY?
"We only have a day or two. How much can we see?"
"We were there for three days, but there wasn't much to do."
"A disappointing vacation is worse than no vacation at all!"
Park visitors budget their time, they budget their money, and they worry that they will end up budgeting away the purpose of their vacation in the first place: the enjoyment that flows from having a top quality experience.
Which caves have teenie doors inside that open into bigger rooms? Can I really go on through this cave to the other side without getting smooshed against the ceiling? Under what conditions? This cave certainly LOOKED impressive, but now that I've spent the time paddling over here I see that there's no interior to speak of. I wonder what I'm missing in the meantime?
Claustrophobes can take comfort knowing that entering every cave is an informed choice. Many caves are pretty wide open and well-lit, and all can be entered to the degree to which you are comfortable.
And yes, worrisome species of sharks inhabit the ocean, and we're sure there have been a few pass by our paddling areas. We've never been approached by any, never even SEEN any. We're WAY more concerned about driving on the freeway to and from the harbor than we are about the actuarially non-existent "shark threat."
So come ON, already, and maximize your vacation fun-time with a guided kayaking trip!
"What are your greatest vacation concerns?" we asked our clients. Expense? Sharks? Turns out it's not just spending the time or spending the money, it's wasting their time or not getting enough value for their money. Oh sure, there are concerns about sharks or giant squid or claustrophobia or not being strong or capable enough, but it all boils down to maximizing fun and banishing fear:
Vacationers who've been to the islands without the benefit of a guide mostly have a pretty good time. But often we hear things like "There weren't many sea caves," or "The hiking was so-so." We wonder how they can expect to just 'know' where to go and what the good options are under prevailing weather and sea conditions -- it took us thousands of client-days over many years to figure it all out.
We take people kayaking all the time who've never even seen the ocean before, much less kayaked on it. We'll help you match the trip and the equipment to your abilities, with the goal of having a stellar exploratory adventure with a comfortable amount of physical effort. Our sit-on-top kayaks are easy to use and selected for superior stability. Tandem kayaks are available for those who are concerned about their strength or coordination, and all kayaks have tow lines in case a paddler gets overly tired. (And if you're a kayaker, we have optimal experiences designed just for you -- if you don't find them, please ask!)
Company or Institution
2Lane Media
Aflac
Amgen
Atlas International
Bain & Company
Boojum Institute
Boy Scouts of America
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cate School
Chaffey High School
City of Nurnberg (Germany)
Credit Suisse
Crossroads School
Fujitsu
Girl Scouts
Henry Radio
Imation
Indian Guides
La Canada High School
Mormon Church
New Horizon School
North Hollywood High School
Oak Grove School
Odyssey School - Malibu
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Options for Youth
Overlake School
Patagonia
Perforce Software
PlanMember Services, Inc.
Pomona College
Reader's Digest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Scripps Ranch High School
Shalom Nature Center
Sony Pictures Entertainment
South Gate High School
Southwest Geotechnical
St. Andrews Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Timothy's Episcopal School
Sun America
Swedish Trade Council
Tawonga Summer Camp
TeamOne Advertising
The Nature Conservency
Toyota Motor Corp.
University of Redlands
University of Tennessee
Waldorf School (Marin)
Westmark School
Westridge School
Young Presidents Organization
Activity
Island company kayaking
Coastal workgroup team building
Island kayaking
Coastal workgroup team building
Island company kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking/camping
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking/camping
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Coastal workgroup team building
Island kayaking/camping
Island kayaking/camping
Coastal workgroup team building
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking
Coastal kayaking nature field trips
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping workgroup team building
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Coastal workgroup team building
Island kayaking/camping
Island workgroup team building
Island & Coastal nature field trips
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Coastal workgroup team building
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island kayaking
Island kayaking/camping nature field trips
Island & Coastal workgroup team building
Partial Client List
Sea Kayaking
Channel Islands National Park
And the Central California Coast
Toll Free US & Canada: 800.773.2309
International: 805.968.7231
Address: 111 Verona Avenue
Goleta, CA 93117
"If you're inside when a big wave comes in, it's very dangerous. If you're a beginner, you shouldn't go into the caves. Never go in without a helmet. The best way to experience a sea cave is with a guide so you have someone saying, 'This is safe, this isn't safe.' Then over time you begin to learn and figure this out, and you can go by yourself."
ISLAND TRADE-OFFS
Kayaking and hiking itineraries vary in response to opportunities presented by weather, swell, and tides. An island experience presents a number of trade-offs. For instance, when the swell is high some caves become off-limits, but high swells produce dramatic blowhole activity with compressed air driving fountains of spray high overhead. Another example: when the tide is low, some caves are too rocky to enter, but other caves become exposed for exploration which are submerged under higher tides. Overcast skies often mean calm, still waters -- but you get the idea. The guides will suggest activities that will take the most advantage of the conditions, and make the most of your precious island time.
If it rains or becomes extremely windy, the ferry company will cancel the trip and there is no charge. Once in a great while we are able to get to an island, but kayaking conditions turn out to be too rough. The trade-offs in this case may be a day of hiking, or a motor boating tour of the island coastline, and a reduction in your fee.
As with any characterization of the weather, what follows in this section are tendencies. Some winters have been predominantly warm and still, and some summers have been damp and cool. Our advise? Come out as soon as you can, or risk being one of the people who says, "I've been wanting to go there for years, but..." And after your first trip, come again -- there's lots to see!
Winter
Shortest days, clearest air, fewest visitors, migrating whales, breezy/windy, green vegetative growth in late winter, coldest temps, occasional storms to dodge (possible trip cancellations at no charge.)
Spring
Lengthening days, warmer weather, increasing visitation, fewer storms to dodge, some fog, breezy/windy, green vegetation with wildflowers, some migrating whales early.
Summer
Longest days, warm weather, some haze and fog, the most visitation, storms very unlikely, breezy/windy, few migrating whales, brown vegetation.
Fall
Shortening days, beautiful mild and clear weather with rich lighting, colder nights, few storms, decreasing visitation, brown vegetation.
Inside the caves....
Overnight two-day camping trips begin in the same manner as one-day trips (see above.) After paddling, the next order of business is to set up camp in a sheltering eucalyptus grove. If there is still daylight we take a hike up to the clifftops for an eagle's-eye view along the length of the island to the sunset and other islands beyond. Back at camp we make our evening meal and indulge in whatever individual activities are desired.
In the morning, we arise as early as is comfortable for the group. We eat our breakfast and make lunches which are sealed into ziplock freezer bags, and break camp. In this way we can get on the water no later than 9:00 AM, and take our kayaks to the more distant sea caves, including one which has three huge openings. Eventually we land at a secluded beach to eat lunch, swim, explore the cove, or just relax in the sun.
Better yet, a 3-day trip affords us that magical middle day, which has no camp set-up or break-down, and no travel time, and so is available for an extended day of kayaking exploration, or for hiking the 14,500 acres of parkland.
THE MULTI-DAY SANTA CRUZ ISLAND TRIP
All regularly scheduled trips are to Santa Cruz Island's east end, and trip schedules to Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands develop as the season progresses. Custom trips can be scheduled at no extra charge with advance notice and ferry availability. We gather in Ventura or Oxnard Harbor at the ferry concessionaire early enough to allow for 30 - 45 minutes of gear handling and paperwork. While crossing the channel we always see at least some representatives from at least one of these groups: sea lions, seals, dolphins, or whales (though most likely during migratory seasons.) Some whale species reside in the channel all year round. A naturalist accompanies the boat trip and delivers a running commentary on the wildlife that is encountered.
Upon our arrival at the island, we immediately walk to the opposite side of the beach to begin our basic kayaking lesson and safety talk. When completed, we launch our kayaks and spend about three hours poking along and exploring the widely varying sea caves and rock gardens, as we paddle alongside the towering cliffs. When we return, we stow the gear and have some time to eat lunch and wander the paths along the clifftops, or walk up the canyon. We leave the island around 3:30 to 4:30 PM, and arrive back on shore around 5:00 or 6:00 PM. The actual timing depends upon the ferry schedule and the wind and seas, and on how much time we spend with the marine life we come across in transit.
THE ONE-DAY ISLAND TRIP
.....which paints the calm, clear waters azure
in the late morning.
The sun begins to dispel the morning fog at Scorpion Landing, Santa Cruz Island.....
Santa Cruz Island
Viewed looking south from the hilltops above the University of California, Santa Barbara.
How Long Can You Come Out and Play?