Natural History of
Santa Cruz Island
a Pacific Horticulture Tour
June 3-8, 2012
Limited to 15 guests, SOLD OUT
Click here to join the Waiting List
Tour Escort Steve Gerischer, Pacific Horticulture
Tour Leader Glenn Keator  -- California plant specialist
and author of several books including "Complete
Garden Guide to the Native Perennials of California"

Join us on this rare opportunity to explore
the unique flora and fauna of California's
Channel Islands, home to species of
plants and animals found nowhere else on
Earth.
Twenty-five miles off the coast of southern California lies Santa Cruz Island, the largest of California’s eight Channel
Islands. More than 1,000 species of plants and animals inhabit the island’s high peaks, deep canyons, pastoral valleys,
and 77 miles of dramatic coastline.   Once on the brink of ecological collapse, Santa Cruz Island now offers visitors a
glimpse of what southern California used to be like hundreds of years ago.   

Sunday June 3  Ventura, California                                                                    
Check into the Holiday Inn Express at Ventura Harbor, then gather late this afternoon to meet the other guests and your
tour leaders for an informative session followed by dinner with wine.  After dinner, we'll go shopping for food and other
supplies needed for our four day stay on Santa Cruz Island.   Dinner

Monday June 4   Santa Cruz Island
We'll park our cars at the Ventura Harbor and board our Island Packers boat
for the 25 mile journey to Santa Cruz Island.  Upon arrival, we are met and
transferred to our home for the next 4 nights, the University of California
Research Station, part of the Nature Conservancy reserve on the island.
After we have unpacked and settled into our accommodations, our tour leaders
will give us an orientation and plan for the next several days and then take us
out for an afternoon exploration on foot.  Later we will return for the first of our
guest-prepared dinners.   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.                                                            Opuntia Littoralis

Tue June 5 thru Thur June 7   Santa Cruz Island
Our days will be filled with opportunities to explore this fascinating island.
With luck we will spot the Santa Cruz Island Fox and other wildlife unique
to this and other Channel Islands.  Our guides will also point out many of
the plant species found only on this island.   We'll explore on foot and
by vehicle to make sure we see as much of the island as possible.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be prepared by guests each day.                                  Santa Cruz Island Fox
                                                                                                                            Santa Cruz Island Fox
Fri June 8  Ventura
By now you will be fully immersed in the island lifestyle, but sadly it is
time to stay farewell.  Our Island Packers boat leaves this afternoon to
take us back to Ventura Harbor and a return to civilization but with
wonderful memories and photos of this pristine island gem.
Breakfast, Lunch.

Tour Leader Glenn Keator is a botanist, writer, and teacher specializing
in California native plants. He currently teaches part time at Merritt College
in Oakland and College of Marin, as well as at Regional Parks (Tilden) Botanic Garden in Berkeley, He has written
several books on native plants including "Designing California Native Gardens" with Alrie Middlebrook (UC Press) and
"Plant Families of California" (also UC Press). Glenn leads field trips all through California and beyond and has made
many trips to Santa Cruz Island.     Santa Cruz Island Plant List  Click Here

SPECIAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO THIS TOUR  Click Here

TOUR LAND COST PER GUEST:
Based on a minimum of 12 paying guests: $845.00        
Supplement to have single room at Holiday Inn on first night of tour:  $65        

TOUR COST  INCLUDES:
1 night accommodation at Holiday Inn Express Ventura Harbor
4 nights accommodation in dorm-style bunkbed rooms on Santa Cruz Island
Roundtrip sea transportation from Ventura to Santa Cruz Island
Transportation from dock to lodging on Santa Cruz Island
All hotel taxes and service charges
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners (see Special Conditions)
Guided sightseeing on the island by Glenn Keator
Escorted by Steve Gerischer, Pacific Horticulture
Donation of $150 to Pacific Horticulture
Limited to 15 guests

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:  
Airfare, Travel insurance, Items not specifically listed on the itinerary

Prices quoted are based on a minimum of 12 guests.   In the event of lower numbers, Sterling Tours reserves the right
to adjust rates accordingly.                          Terms and Conditions                 Special Conditions

For more information  contact           Print Itinerary                       
Sterling Tours, Ltd                    
2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262                    
San Diego, CA 92106      Tel: 619 299-3010     800-976-9497
CST2023849-40           
Sterling Tours, Ltd
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