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A
gull nesting among flowers
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Walking
the loop trail |
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Inspiration
Point |
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Anacapa
Island
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Anacapa
Island is located 14 miles off the
coast from Ventura. It is the only Channel Island to retain
its American Indian name, derived from the Chumash word, "Eneepah",
meaning island of deception or mirage. Ocean waves have eroded
the perimeter of the island, creating steep sea cliffs towering
hundreds of feet in height and exposing the volcanic origins
of air pockets, lava tubes, and sea caves.
At the east end of Anacapa a natural bridge has formed in the
ocean. Forty-foot high Arch Rock is a trademark of Anacapa and
Channel Islands
National Park.
What to see: Sea birds are the most conspicuous wildlife
on Anacapa. The largest breeding colony of the endangered California
brown pelican is located on West Anacapa. Other sea birds include
western gulls and several species of cormorants. The island's
rocky shores provide resting and breeding areas for California
sea lions and harbor seals. Catch a glimpse of the fascinating
undersea world of the kelp forest without even getting wet.
During the summer, park rangers dive into the Landing Cove on
East Anacapa with a video camera. Visitors can see, through
the eye of the camera, what the diver is seeing by watching
video monitors on the dock. Pristine tidepools can be explored.
Springtime brings colorful flowers, including the strange tree
sunflower, or coreopsis, a plant found only on the Channel Islands
and a few isolated areas on the mainland. Visit the museum on
the island, which houses the original crystal and brass Fresnel
lens from the lighthouse.
What to do: Camping, hiking, ranger-led interpretive
hikes, picnicking, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, swimming, kayaking,
bird watching, exploring tidepools, and getting away from the
mainland city-congestion are some of the activities you can
do on Anacapa Island. |
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