for a 3-day trip, which would you recommend: santa cruz island or anacapa island? we are experienced paddlers. any feedback would be great. rob

While I don't know about those islands, you got me interested to dig out some maps.

Santa Cruz is better. There is a campsite 1/4 - 1/2 mile from the beach where Island Packers will drop you. Plenty of sea caves to play in.

Anacapa has 140+ steps to climb before the hike to the campground. You also have to use a winch and a vertical ladder to get your boat in and out of the water. You need to rig your boat so that it can be hoisted and it is a 3 man job - 2 if you are really good.

Check out our club web site for more info http://www.ckf.org

I've been to Anacapa and although it was nice and the coves were pretty, it's really small and there were so many birds that my family and friends whom I was with appropriately named it "bird poop island." I wouldn't recommend it for camping either. It is a shorter trip out there but in my opinion not really worth the time.