Activities, tours and trips for outdoor vacations Santa Barbara, California.
Bird watchers travel from all corners of the world to get a glimpse of the rare Island Scrub Jay. Photo by Chuck Graham. I followed a flash of blue in the dense oak woodland while hiking a side canyon within Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz Island. The lone endemic island scrub jay was doing what…
From a distance, kayakers observe a cozy harbor seal soaking up some sun rays. Photo by Chuck Graham. There’s something about their sweet pushed-in faces and long whiskers, as they seemingly smile at us as we paddle onto the next toothy sea cave around Scorpion Anchorage, on the long southeast finger of Santa Cruz Island.…
Winter kayaking at Scorpion Anchorage. Photo by Chuck Graham. Are you looking for a unique and memorable way to spend the holidays with your loved ones? Channel Islands National Park offers a bucket-list-worthy adventure you will remember for the rest of your life. Here are four reasons why sea cave kayaking at this stunning location…
As I sat in my kayak atop the canopy of giant bladder kelp, I felt the swoosh of a bald eagle as it soared overhead, two blue wing tags with A-03 attached to its impressive 6-foot-wide wingspan. I was leading an Adventure Tour for Santa Barbara Adventure Company at Scorpion Anchorage near the southeast fringe…
I’ve heard Southern California doesn’t have a change in the seasons. I’ve always scoffed at that notion, especially out at the Channel Islands National Park. Each August, I can feel a gradual shift from late summer into early fall, approaching like a wispy warm easterly wind. It’s arguably the best time of year to experience…
Kayakers at Potato Harbor. Photo by Chuck Graham. Nearly finished with another circumnavigation of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, my friend Craig Fernandez and I made a pit stop inside Potato Harbor. While stretching stiff legs along the cobbled shoreline within a pocket cove inside the harbor, one of the islands’ many natural wonders…
We are proud to announce that Santa Barbara Adventure Company (SBACo) has been awarded the prestigious title of “Best Kayaking Tour” in the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice. This national recognition is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional kayak tours in the stunning Santa Barbara and Channel Islands National Park regions. It…
Summertime is well underway in California! Check out some of our favorite places and tips for enjoying the best Santa Barbara has to offer in July. We have included as much helpful information as possible, but in case we missed anything, feel free to add details in the comments section below. Snorkel Tours at Channel…
Island fox on an agave plant at Santa Cruz Island. Photo by Chuck Graham. There was a time on Santa Cruz Island when one could go days without seeing an island fox. There was a time when you would easily see more feral pigs than the endemic Urocyon littoralis. That was in 1999 when non-native…
Photo of seaside daises and kayakers at Scorpion Anchorage by Chuck Graham. After four months of steady, consistent 2022/23 winter rains, anticipation mounts amongst island lovers for an incoming, colorful, vibrant spring. Waterfalls are gushing off sheer cliffs, and side canyons that are typically dry are like vital tributaries breathing life into significant canyons such…