As you explore Channel Islands National Park, imagine what it was like to live on an island or cross the channel in a boat fifty years ago, one hundred years ago, and even ten thousand years ago. Archeologists believe that humans may have inhabited the Channel Islands for up to 13,000 years, millennia before Europeans set foot on their shores in the 16th century. Through their long histories, the Channel Islands have been host to Chumash and Tongva peoples, explorers and traders, prisoners and smugglers, ranchers and vaqueros, shipwreck victims and Coast Guard personnel. Follow the links at the top of this page to discover some of their stories about life on the Channel Islands.
Arlington Man Archeologists search for clues about 13,000 year-old Arlington Man. more...
Anacapa Island Light Station Learn how this light helped sailors through the Channel. more...
Did You Know?
Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island is one of the world’s largest known sea caves. The cave measures 1215 feet in length (the size of more than four football fields), has a 160 foot entrance, and is almost 100 feet wide.