Participants left San Diego at 11:30pm Friday night on a charter bus, arrived at the docks in Ventura around 3:30am Saturday, then boarded the boat to Santa Cruz Island.

Most of Santa Cruz Island is closed to normal mortals. The Nature Conservancy, owner of 90% of the island, required field trip participants to be actively involved in research or instruction. The eastern 10% of the island, which belongs to the National Park Service, is open to all, but restricted by logistics (no roads, lodging, stores, food, or water and limited camping facilities).

Check these sources for more information on Santa Cruz Island:

http://www.channel.islands.national-park.com/how.htm
http://www.nps.gov/chis/