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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Island Packers & Santa Barbara Adventure. While I was sponsored by Island Packers & Santa Barbara Adventure , all opinions are my own.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love to hike and find offbeat destinations. Well, discovering the Channel Islands was like finding my own personal heaven. Only a few hours boat ride from Santa Barbara in California are these incredible islands that seem so out of place, it makes you doubt if you are even in the U.S. Read on to find more details on this offbeat destination!

Getting There:

There are two options of getting to the Channel islands. Option 1 is by plane via Channel Islands Aviation. Option 2 is by boat with Island Packers. We opted to go with option two and take the boat ride with Island Packers, in order to check out some ocean wild life. Believe me, it was absolutely worth it. Due to high winds, the ocean stirred up a lot of fish and coming back from Santa Cruz Island, we were able to watch a rare feeding that attracted hundreds of dolphins and around 20 whales! It was one of the most unforgettable moments of our trip and I definitely recommend taking advantage of Island Packers whale watching tour.

What to do:

No matter which Island you choose to go to, hiking is a must! The panoramic views of the ocean and the rare and unique plants in the islands are spectacular to see. Being surrounded by nature and a worlds apart from mainland makes this hike even more special.

Sea Kayaking with the Santa Barbara Adventure Co should not be missed when visiting the Channel islands, the incredible wildlife will be nothing that you have seen before. Discover the cave that baby seals relax on, touch and even sample the kelp surrounding the islands. Then, experience the beauty of the island from a different perspective, a view that you will not be able to see if you are just on land. Make sure to reserve a sea kayaking tour with one of the incredible guides at Santa Barbara Adventure Co. It will be one of the highlights of your trip!

Where to Stay:

Camping in all five Islands are available all year round. However, Santa Barbara Island is currently closed due to damage from recent storms. Be sure to check the Channel Islands National Park site for updates.

Spots for each camp site is limited so book fast and make sure to reserve 1-2 months in advance. To reserve a spot visit recreation.gov. I recommend staying in one of the Islands for at least a night. Wake up early to see the Sunrise and make sure to enjoy the sunset. One of the highlights while staying over night is having the Island almost all to yourselves. All of the day trippers will be gone and you are in your own private island!

The Channel islands has been nicknamed the Galapagos of North America due to the isolation that has allowed wild life to evolve in the islands. This nickname is definitely well deserved, there are so much to do and see!

Have you been to the Channel Islands or planning to visit? Comment below and let me know!

I’ve been seeing so many inspiring and envy worthy stories about quitting the 9-5 job to travel. Like most of you reading this, it is also a dream of mine to just leave all of the hustle and bustle behind and create new memories with people and places that I have only dreamed about. But, what can you do when quitting is just not an option? Here are four tips to lessen your travel blues and how you can travel more often.

1)Make the most of your weekends.

I know you get tired after a long week, I do too. But you know what perks me up after a long humdrum work week? A weekend trip! Whether it’s a road trip to a different city, or a train ride to a new and quirky town, I always find the time to go. For more inspiration check out my Weekender posts coming soon!

2) Explore your city.

I am so busy looking for new and exciting places to visit around the world that I often overlook the places that are in my own town! Living in New York City, it is easy to get world class meals, the best entertainment and meet so many different types of people. You don’t live in New York City you say? Well, check out your own town! Whether big or small, you will always find something new that you have never seen or done before. When you do, make sure to comment and share down bellow! I want to see it too.

3) Take shorter trips more often.

Instead of waiting for those 2-3 week vacations, why not do a long weekend? Find a cheap and short flight where you can enjoy 2-3 full days in the area. Often times, just being out of your regular routine can really help you stick it out for a few more months until you can finally take the longer trips and adventures.

Check out Skyscanner and Airfare Watchdog to find the best deals. Make sure to shop around and check often. You never know when the best deals may come!

4) Meet other travelers in your area (or from afar).

One of the biggest reasons why I travel is the people I get to meet who have similar interests and values. It can be really tough to explain to your non-nomad friends why you would rather spend your money trekking in the Himalayan mountains instead of saving to get the latest fashion trends.

Meeting like-minded a.k.a “kindred spirits” will help boost your moral and you may even find your perfect travel mate! The best places I have found travel pals (aside from the actual trip) is on Instagram. We’ve created a community where we support one another and discuss issues that we care about with a unique understanding of our circumstances. Because honestly, it takes another nomad to truly understand another. Am I right? There are also many meetup groups and FB groups such as Girls Love Travel who will not only inspire you to travel but also help you create friendships along the way.

Got more tips on how to fight your travel blues? Share and comment down below!

solo travel

Channel Islands – The Galapagos of North America

4 Tips To Lessen Your Travel Blues