Points Adventure: Santa Barbara & Channel Islands National Park
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products and services I trust and believe will benefit you. I do not sell your personal information, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post..
Looking for a Santa Barbara family getaway with a unique twist? Combine a stay at a beachfront Hyatt, a ferry ride packed with marine wildlife, and sea cave kayaking at Channel Islands National Park for an adventure you’ll never forget.
This trip was extra special because we booked most of it using points and miles — covering flights into Santa Barbara and a free stay at the Mar Monte Hotel, part of Hyatt.
Here’s exactly how our Channel Islands National Park day trip unfolded — and how you can plan your own.
Flying into Santa Barbara on Points
We flew into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) on Southwest Airlines, covering our tickets with points. Flying Southwest is perfect for families: bags fly free, there are no change fees, and if you have the Companion Pass, one family member can fly for nearly free.
Staying Free at the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara
Our home base was the Mar Monte Hotel, a beachfront Hyatt property just steps from the ocean and minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. With Spanish-style design, cozy fire pits, and ocean views, it felt both stylish and family-friendly.
We booked it entirely on points by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Hyatt, which consistently delivers some of the best redemption value in the points-and-miles world.
Taking the Island Packers Ferry to Channel Islands
To reach Channel Islands National Park, we drove about 45 minutes south to Ventura Harbor and boarded the Island Packers ferry, the official service to the islands.
On the way, we were treated to an unforgettable marine wildlife show:
- Pods of common dolphins leaping nearby
- Humpback whales surfacing right next to the boat
- Sea lions basking on buoys
- Pelicans and seabirds gliding overhead
It was like a bonus wildlife tour before even stepping onto the islands. The captain of the ferry was incredible at stopping and making sure we got a great view of the wildlife.
Sea Cave Kayaking at Channel Islands National Park
Our highlight was joining a sea cave kayaking tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company. This experience is one of the best ways to explore the rugged coastline of Santa Cruz Island, the largest in the park.
On the tour, we:
- Paddled through dramatic sea caves carved into volcanic cliffs
- Glided past dense kelp forests and even stopped and snacked on some kelp.
- Spotted fish swimming in turquoise waters
- Listened to waves echo inside the caverns
- Even heard a mother seal giving birth in the cave.
It’s an adventure that feels both wild and accessible — perfect for families with teens or adventurous parents.
Exploring Santa Cruz Island
After kayaking, we picnicked and explored Scorpion Anchorage. Trails led to sweeping views of the ocean and cliffs, and the area’s remote feel reminded us why the Channel Islands are nicknamed the “Galápagos of North America.”
Few visitors make it to this national park compared to Yosemite or Yellowstone, which makes it feel even more special.
How We Saved with Points and Miles
Here’s how we made the trip more affordable:
- Flights: Booked on Southwest points into Santa Barbara (SBA).
- Hotel: Stayed free at Mar Monte Hotel, part of Hyatt, using Chase points transferred to Hyatt.
- Excursions: Paid out of pocket for Island Packers ferry + sea cave kayaking tour.
By leveraging points, we saved hundreds of dollars while still enjoying a bucket-list adventure in California.
Why You Should Add Channel Islands to Your Itinerary
If you’re planning a Santa Barbara family trip or Southern California vacation, don’t skip Channel Islands. It’s:
- A national park few people visit (less crowded than the big names)
- Packed with unique marine wildlife and one of a kind island foxes.
- Home to incredible outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling
- Close enough to Santa Barbara for a perfect day trip
Pairing a Santa Barbara Hyatt stay with a Channel Islands National Park adventure gave us the best of both worlds — a relaxing beach getaway plus a once-in-a-lifetime national park experience.
Want to plan more trips like this using points and miles? Follow me at @pointsandmilesteachers for step-by-step tips, family itineraries, and strategies to travel more while spending less.
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
I found out about points and miles accidentally.
I was researching index funds and happened upon the points and miles community through creators who also post about budgets, financial independence, and investing.
Points and miles allowed those people to travel and work toward financial independence simultaneously.
Thank goodness I got started when I did. The past almost two years of travel have been something we will never forget.
Earning points and miles through credit cards is only a good choice if you have the financial discipline to use them, like cash/debit cards.
Since we started traveling with points and miles, we have had more money going into our investment and savings accounts than ever.
Now I'm excited to teach you!
Welcome
I am excited you are here
New to points and miles? START HERE!
