INSPIRATION GUIDE M y favorite part of a Ventura sunset is the purple silhouette of the Channel Islands on the horizon. It adds a layer of mystique below the glassy oranges and yellows, a bit of depth that reminds you there's more out there. "More" is an understatement - what's out there is a breathtaking natural treasure, a wild and wondrous place where you can find serenity and respite and also spectacular adventure. I'd heard of Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, often called "the Galápagos of North America" for its diverse array of native plants and animals. But I'd never been. Turns out, an easy Ventura day trip can take one a world away. I decided to embark on a manageable day of activity: sea kayaking and hiking on Santa Cruz Island. The island is the largest in California and the closest to Ventura Harbor, boasting 77 miles of coastline and the highest density of sea caves in the world. While I'm no kayak pro, I was tempted by the thought of paddling through brilliant blue water to ancient caverns with walls in a kaleidoscope of colors. I booked a halfday guided kayak tour with Channel Islands Adventure Co., which amplified my excitement. "Kayaking through the sea caves is just an incomparable activity," says company president Michael Cohen. "It is a geologic wonder that you can kayak underneath a national park." VISITVENTURACA.COM 55http://visitventuraca.com