San Miguel Island

Amazing, capable and knowledgeable all-volunteer staff !

Really incredible experience for the 4th of July! We were greeted by volunteer rangers Joel and Pam, and accompanied by them on their guided hikes around the island due to the unexploded ordinance. They also hosted a movie night at the ranger station for campers with popcorn! I saw foxes, fox pups, mice, elephant seals, and lots and lots of sea lions. No shortage of wildlife on the island. The water is cold compared to the mainland, but still possible to jump in for a quick shower if needed. Absolutely no one else on the beach for the 4th which was excellent if you don’t enjoy crowds for busy holiday weekends. Only 14 people on the whole island made for a truly relaxing vacation. Also, you only have to backpack in less than a mile all your stuff for a 4 day long stay. I brought a cooler with extra Gatorade and coke, amongst other things. I would suggest bringing a small umbrella if you wish to have shade, as there are few trees on the island. Then, enjoy as many day hikes as you wish led by the rangers. You can choose to set them out, or hike as many as you like to walk the ‘San Miguel Marathon.’ If you are looking for a place for relaxation, solitude, and a break from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, San Miguel feels rugged and out-there, and you will come back to the traffic of LA reeling. And, as a solo traveler, there are ample opportunities to meet other campers as all the hikes are guided in a group. Have fun, and happy trails!

Everything was extremely amazing. San Miguel Island is incredibly beautiful, and while the infrastructure on the island is minimal (as expected for such a remote, protected spot), that only added to the experience. Our volunteers, Joel and Grace, were fantastic — very professional and did everything they could to make us feel comfortable throughout the trip. The hikes were amazing, and everything was clean and well-maintained.

I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone. A huge thank you to the volunteers and the park service for their great work in preserving this special place.

Bring 1 gallon of water per day! There is no shade. Even if it is misty or overcast, you will feel the sun. The naturalists took us on so many wonderful hike and telling about the history of the island. So many pinnipeds! Who knew that this was one of the largest rookeries in the world! Such a memorable trip.