The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park — Attraction in Ventura

Great place to take kids, watch a free movie, see the tide pool tank, fossils, a garden of indigenous plants to the islands and our area, perhaps talk with some divers live (I think this is only on the weekends and of course, weather permitting - call in advance to see when the Live Dive is available), and learn about the Channel Islands. It was a great outing to spend a couple of hours with or without the kids. There are some great restaurants in the harbor, a kayak and paddle boat rental, and the beach in right across the street. I highly recommend Andrea's Seafood and the ice cream shop on the promenade for desserts that are nearby. This is a great place to spend the day, cool off, enjoy the sea life, and learn about our beautiful islands. What could be better? If I could give CINP 100 stars, I would. There are sometimes special events at CINP as well. It's an awesome place to take a classroom full of kids, so teachers should try to get their classes to the visitor's center and for a Floating Classroom trip, or even a camping trip to Santa Cruz Island, and a kayaking trip around Anacapa on the Island Packers charter boats a few trips during the children's elementary, junior high/middle school, and high school years. This should be a staple for all our school children. Lessons in biology, chemistry, natural resources, boating, administration, environmental sciences, fisheries, kelp forest monitoring, marine farming, and much more tie into our island system here in Southern California. Everyone should at least be aware of the rich environment we have right off our coast and the many jobs necessary to use our resources wisely, to conserve them, and to protect them for future generations. There are also SCUBA diving classes and fishing trips available here in the harbor. There's a dive shop that has classes, sells and rents equipment, as well as fishing charter boats at this harbor and Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard/Port Hueneme, just a few miles down the road. Island Packers, the outfit that takes people to the islands for camping, whale watching, and landing on the islands, also has trips that leave from Channel Islands harbor as well. If you have your own boat, I believe Island Packers are who you talk to about landing permits as well. Everyone should take advantage of the CINP (Channel Islands National Parks) visitor's center. They also have a very nice gift shop with a tide pool aquarium, and staff who are knowledgeable about the islands, coloring/activity books for the kids, a Junior Ranger badge program for the kids, after they complete some activities in the free activity book, they get dubbed a junior ranger. One of the gems we have in our community! There is a hotel on the harbor as well, so if you are coming from outside the area, you can stay there yourself, with family, or a class. An awesome trip to take with a graduating class, for you teachers looking for an amazing experience for your students, or parents looking for a trip, such as a whale watching, fishing, and/or camping trip, or to learn about the islands when on a diving or snorkeling vacation. Bring the cameras! You'll be glad you did! And it's not...

Please know, this visitors center is NOT ADA friendly!!! I received such extreme harassment AND DISCRIMINATION from a volunteer (Bob) and the person who oversees the volunteers (“Ranger” Emily) that I haven’t even been able to drive into the city of Ventura since my “incident”.

EDIT it’s now August and I STILL can’t bring myself to visit even the city of Ventura, where I USUALLY lovingly support a specific small business owner every month…except, that’s also when I would meet a friend at Harbor Cafe and ALWAYS go into the visitor center to purchase something afterwards…I haven’t been able to do this in months!! Nor, have I been able to participate in any events held by Santa Monica Mountains because Emily told me I should go there because I would be more welcome with my service dog…DISCRIMINATE MUCH!?!? Because I’m such an open person, I don’t mind telling people my service dog is for PTSD and what Emily and Bob did to me has affected me drastically!! To the point that I can’t even go whale watching with Island Packers!!! (My goals for this year (2024) was to go winter and summer whale watching, as well as take my service dog to his THIRD NPS, Santa Cruz Island (I had to HUNT for vaccines not given in our area, which I’m 1000% for to keep the wildlife safe!! I’m the rare person that thanks you for making it so difficult to bring a service dog to the islands!) and pushed back his lab work to time things right…then I made the mistake of trying to volunteer…I still can’t forget (or forgive) Emily for looking at my dog and I, with semi disgust, asking me “if I can even visit the islands”… why yes, Emily, I’ve been to both Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands (the second furthest island) by “myself” (no service dog)! My question is, can YOUR SENIOR CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT TO THE ISLANDS!?! Emily is a disgusting person who should NOT BE IN CHARGE OF ANYONE because she clearly doesn’t understand how to talk to people OR UNDERSTAND FEDERAL LAW!!!

Because something as simple as trying to volunteer at a location I love has affected my life drastically, I’ve decided I’m reporting Channel Islands NPS, Ranger Emily and volunteer Bob to the ADA…

The ONLY POSITIVE thing I have to say is I have a “safe” day to visit. I never realized I always visited on the same day, but I did. This day is staffed only by Jean and Ranger Kim (who I love both greatly!!) and they have told me I am always welcome to come see them! At the time, I thought I would have no issues visiting them…but, at last, that’s not...

Yahh, I made it to the Channel Island National Park in California! First off Ventura is a absolutely gorgeous chill area. We are fresh off a international journey so I had spend a few days in my home state before headed back to SC.

Channel Islands is known as the Galapagos of the USA. The visitor center is educational, has a rooftop, theater, gift shop, and very clean bathroom. The guides inside were very helpful and very attentive about answering questions. There is a pier close by and a beach across the street with parking. We saw alot happy travelers enjoyed the Cally sun! You can't take tours from here, another company handles guided tours thru to the different islands. We visited the beaches only, I will take a tour next time for sure. Do your own research if you want daytrips to avoid disappointments.

Make sure you start your trip here, for info. The park has different sections also, we are off to see the sea lions and hang out at the...