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Channel Islands National Park
Located just off the coast of Southern California, between the mainland and the open Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands National Park consists of five rocky islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara.
Vast kelp forests surround the islands, providing a refuge and habitat for both the tiniest and the absolute largest animals, from plankton to blue whales.
Other high-profile marine animals include seals and sea lions, dolphins, humpback whales and sharks. The total number of animal species exceeds 2,000, justifying its nickname of “North America’s Galapagos.”