Santa Cruz Island

The largest island in Channel Islands National Park, and in all of California.

Plan Around Santa Cruz Island

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Santa Cruz Island Details

At more than 96 square miles, Santa Cruz Island is not only the most diverse and largest island found within Channel Islands National Park, but is California's biggest island, too. The island's landscape is impressive: there are two rugged mountain ranges, the islands' highest peaks rise more than 2,000 feet above the Pacific, and there's a large central valley/fault system. Deep canyons shelter year-round springs and streams, and 77 miles of coastline cliffs are dotted with sea caves, tidal pools, and beaches. More than 600 plant species can be found on the island, which includes marshes, grasslands and pine forests; and 140 birds and 11 land mammal species also make their homes here. Three-quarters of the island (the west side) is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and is mostly off limits to visitors, but the eastern section is National Park Service land and open to the public. You can find picnic tables at Scorpion Anchorage near the ranch and at the beach at Prisoner's Harbor.

Difficulty

Low

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