Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center
34.2485, -119.2666 · Park boundary: National Park Service
The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park features a bookstore, a display of marine aquatic life, and exhibits featuring the unique character of each park island. Visitors also will enjoy the 25-minute park movie, “A Treasure in the Sea,” shown throughout the day in the auditorium (closed-caption film available upon request). The fully accessible visitor center is open 8:30 am until 5 pm daily. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving and December 25th.
- Every day
- 8:30AM - 5:00PM
The visitor center is open 8:30 am until 5 pm daily. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving and December 25th.
- Thanksgiving · Nov 26, 2026 – Nov 26, 2026 · Closed
- Christmas · Dec 25, 2026 – Dec 25, 2026 · Closed
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center is a Passport To Your National Parks stamp location.
The visitor center is located in the Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Only train, bus, and private car transportation are available from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to Ventura.
The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center Building description: The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center sits at the tip of the Ventura Harbor. Surrounded by water, this striking two-story gray building has open air exhibits spaces, balconies, an outdoor amphitheater area and viewing tower. A live tidal pool with daily talks and exhibits encompass the unique character of each park island. The four-story viewing tower is embellished with artistically cut metalwork in a green patina of kelp, fish and a pelican. The tower interior offers exhibits and views of Ventura Harbor, the Channel Islands, and the Ventura coastline. The Center’s interior exhibits have several marine and Channel Islands related educational displays including a rocky tidepool, elephant seal exhibit and pygmy mammoth exhibit. There is also a theatre, and Information Center.
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Drive to Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center
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