Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara Camping Itinerary

Please read the following prior to your trip. More information can be found at www. nps.gov/chi

In Ventura Harbor:

• Arrival: You will need to arrive in Ventura at 7:00am to allow for camping gear to be stowed in the ferry's hull.
• Parking: It is best to temporarily park by the loading dock on the left side of the Island Packer's building. This is a loading zone, you must move your vehicle after unloading to an area with no paint on the curb. Failure to do this will result in a parking ticket.
• Checking In: Check in at the front desk at Island Packers. They will let you know whether your guide is escorting you or meeting you at the island. If you are meeting your guide at the island, you will be receiving your boarding pass from the Island Packers Staff. If you are escorted, your guide will have your boarding pass.
• Choosing the correct Ferry: Your boarding will have the ferry's name on it. Make sure you are loading the correct ferry. Your destination is Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Ranch.
• Loading the Ferry: After receiving your boarding pass, please unload your gear and pile it at the top of the ramp. You may bring your gear down this ramp and to your departing boat. All gear is to be loaded 15 minutes prior to ferry departure. They are very prompt, do not make them late, they may eat your food.
• Coolers: Bring all coolers to the back deck of your departing ferry.
• Fuel: Please be prepared to load fuel on the back deck. Fuel is not allowed on the storage compartments, you will be asked to remove it from any stowed gear.
• Water: Please pack water separately and label with gray duct tape.
• Boarding:  The Island Packer's Captain will make general boarding announcements, have your boarding pass ready.

At the Island

• Unloading the ferry: Campers are last to unload the boat. Please wait and help unload gear from the hull. Bring all coolers to the front of the boat. Don't forget your fuel
• Orientation: Once on the Island you will be required to listen to an island orientation given by a Park Ranger.
• Paddle Sports Guide (wearing a red hat): Your guide will be waiting for you at the end of the pier (wearing a red hat). You will bring your camping gear to the kayak area, where you will leave it while we kayak. After we are done kayaking you can bring your gear to the campground using our wheeled cart. If you are not kayaking this first day, feel free to borrow our wheels and enjoy your day. You will be meeting your guide at the red kayaks at 9am the day you have scheduled kayaking.
• Weather: The afternoons can get windy, and we like to avoid wind, so it is best to kayak early in the morning. Please do not take off for the campground until after you have kayaked.. If the group has to wait for you, you will be the first kayaker to demonstrate how to properly get back into your boat!!
• Kayaking: This first day of kayaking takes place in historic Scorpion Anchorage. We will paddle to Cavern point where a number of large and small sea caves wait to be explored. We will also explore the caves of Scorpion Rock. Your guide will provide all of your kayaking gear the morning of your kayaking day.
• Camping Sites: There are two campgrounds, the upper campground is more spacious and can accommodate larger groups. The lower campground is a shorter hike and better for families. Both have running potable water and outhouse bathrooms.

Camping at Santa Cruz Island

• Primitive Camping: The camping at Santa Cruz Island is considered primitive camping, which means there are no facilities or services. However, please feel free to bring coolers, chairs, solar showers, and whatever else might make your stay more enjoyable. Do remember you must lug this gear to the campground 1/2 mile away from the beach.
• Toilets: There are toilets at the camping areas and beach, they do have TP but there are no sinks or showers.
• Wheeled Cart: Paddle Sports has a wheeled cart you may borrow for transporting your gear to the camping areas. We ask that you return the cart to the beach when finished. Thank you.
• Water: There is potable drinking water at both camping areas. This water is very hard, we suggest you use this for cooking and cleaning and bring your own drinking water, we recommend 2 liters per person per day
• Ferry: A ferry will be leaving the island each day at 4:00pm.
  

Rules to Abide

• ALL TRASH MUST BE PACKED OUT.
• Do not feed the wildlife.
• NO CAMPFIRES- propane or white gas stoves only.
• 2 Tents per site, camp in designated areas only.
• ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED, please do not leave cans/bottles in camping area or pig boxes.
• Quiet hours from 10:00pm to 6:00am (please go to the beach if you are planning on being loud).

Overnight Packing List

__ Personal/Toiletries (no shower facilities)
__ Solar Showers
__ Hiking shoes, extra socks
__ Water shoes (teva, keen, booties, etc.)
__ Warm Clothing for evenings and ferry rides (fleece, hooded sweatshirts, etc)
__ Synthetic under layers to wear while kayaking (polypro, wool, etc)
__ Specialty dietary needs/medications
__ Flashlight, headlamp
__ Rain parka (recommended, not required)
__ Snorkeling gear
__ Change of clothes
__ Camping/cooking gear
__ Insect Repellent
__ Hat or visor
__ Drinking Water (2 liters per person per day)
__ Sleeping bag/Tent

Frequently forgotten items:
Flashlight, extra propane, hiking boots, dish cleaning supplies, snacks, drinking water (2 liters per person per day), ground cloth, basic first aid (band-aids, etc.), extra socks, towel, sunscreen, warm jacket (it can get chilly at night).

The Natural Element:
This is a wilderness environment, you are both far from help and in the habitat of wild animals. Wild pigs, Island Skunk, and Island Fox are some of the wild animals you might encounter while camping on Santa Cruz Island. Please respect these animals and the NPS park rules by not approaching or invading these animals' habitats. To avoid unnecessary confrontations with these animals, please keep a clean camp. There are metal food storage boxes at each campsite, please put all food into these boxes when you are not at your site. Avoid confronting these animals, keep a clean camp.

Help!:
The Guide Camping area is at the top of the lower campground in an area we call the "grassy knoll". If you need immediate medical assistance do not hesitate to find this area and your guide; or head for the top of the hill to the Ranger Station. We would like to define immediate medical assistance as any condition that requires professional medical assistance. Please do not come knocking on our tents because you stubbed your toe, your happy guide will not be so happy.

Besides Kayaking

Hiking:
Plenty of options for this. Ask your guide for suggestions, there are also maps on the island.

Fishing:
Fishing is not permitted in Scorpion Anchorage. It is permitted in Little Scorpion Anchorage on the eastern side of Scorpion Rock. Please consult a Park Ranger before doing any fishing.

Diving/Snorkeling:
WE RENT THIS EQUIPMENT UPON REQUEST(mask, fins, snorkel, in mesh bag) There are two very nice spots to explore at Scorpion Anchorage. Both accessible from the beach. Feel free to bring dive equipment, but please inform someone of your plans before embarking for the open water. Snorkeling and free diving is very popular, and thanks to the recent growth of a kelp forest to the West of the beach, it is now better than ever. You may use your Paddle Sports wetsuit for this

Underwater Basket weaving:
A very difficult skill to master, please feel free to practice your little heart out. You may be lucky enough to find a friend on the beach and share this wonderful experience with them!