WINTER AND EARLY SPRING... may be glorious and "gray" off the coast of California — yes, we are rhapsodizing, most admiringly, about the gray whale migration — but warmer months also have a way of offering a bounty of nature-centric splendor. Look to Island Packers, the official concessionaire of Channel Islands National Park, and the ferry service's busy, ride-the-waves schedule. There is even some whale action in the mix in the summertime, though whether you'll spy a blowhole-rocking beauty out in the Santa Barbara Channel is always a delightful question mark ("delightful," of course, because other animals are always seen, even if the whales prove shy). If you've still got a few weeks before school is back in session, and your desire to make a few core memories is strong, pause to peruse what is happening, trip-wise, at Island Packers.
ANACAPA ISLAND... is in the summer sailing spotlight, thanks to the Anacapa Shoreline Cruise. This will not be a visit-the-island experience, keep in mind — there's no shore time, but you will get the ample chance to wow-out over the island from the boat — and an adult ticket is $49. Or perhaps Santa Cruz Island tickles your explorer's fancy, and with fine reason: Painted Cave and Prisoner's Harbor are part of the island's wonders. If you choose this cruise, you'll get to call upon both, with a stop on the island in the Prisoner's Harbor area (snorkeling and/or picnicking are some of the suggestions). And if you're seeking straight-up whale-watching in the channel, an official Whale Heritage Area? You might behold behemoths, including fin or blue whales; humpbacks, too, might make an awe-inspiring appearance.
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WATCH HEREISLANDS, AHOY: Check out everything that's rolling with the waves this summer at Island Packers and be sure to double-check where your boat will be based; the company is found in both Ventura and Oxnard.
