Although located just a short boat or plane ride from the mainland and Los Angeles area, Channel Islands National Park is a whole other world, fraught with natural beauty, biological diversity and hidden treasures. The islands are home to over 2000 species of land animals, many of which are endemic to the region, and the surrounding waters are swimming with life, from blue whales to seals. Having witnessed over 10,000 years of human life, the islands also boast ancient archaeological wonders.