Inspiration Point

It's hard to go wrong while exploring the trails on East Anacapa Island, but this lollipop loop features one of the best views across the chain of islands to the west and the craggy strait between East and Middle Anacapa. This western side of the island is home to one of the main gull colonies on the islands as well as a number of other seabird species that nest on Anacapa. The southern half of the loop heads along a native coreopsis (tree sunflower) forest. These plants flower for only a couple months out of the year, usually in March and April, with bright yellow flowers and lush green foliage. The rest of the year, the plants remain dormant, appearing dried out and dead, but still very much alive. For this reason, the park asks visitors to stay on the trail and help protect these hardy survivors.