Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

Weather & conditions

In general, the islands have a Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, there are seasonal differences that visitors should take into consideration when visiting the park. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island. For more information visit: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/weather.htm

What this latitude gives you

From 34.0° north, anything above declination +56.0° is circumpolar here: it never sets, so it is available on every clear night of the year. Anything below declination -56.0° never clears the horizon at all.

Astronomical darkness lasts through every night of the year here, including midsummer, which makes this a rare site for a June or July imaging trip.

We do not hold a measured Bortle class for this site, so treat the sky as unknown until you have taken a reading of your own.