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A
juvenille elephant seal
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Santa
Barbara Island
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Santa
Barbara Island (639 acres), 38 miles
west of San Pedro, is the smallest of the California Channel
Islands. Formed by underwater volcanic activity, Santa Barbara
is roughly triangular in outline and emerges from the ocean
as a giant twin-peaked mesa with steep cliffs. Even though small
in size, Santa Barbara Island boasts diversity in its habitats,
with a few narrow rocky beaches, six canyons, and badlands area.
It is much like Anacapa Island in its being a haven for sea
birds. The steep cliffs and isolation from mainland predators
provide safe breeding sites for thousands of sea birds.
What to see: There is an abundance of wildlife on Santa
Barbara, primarily sea birds and marine mammals. This is a good
area to view the underwater life, in the warmer waters of this
southernmost island in the park. Snorkeling in the Landing Cove,
visitors can see bright sea stars, spiny sea urchins, and brilliant
orange garibaldi. Spring rains bring out the flowering plants,
such as the tree sunflower, the endemic Santa Barbara Island
live forever, shrubby buckwheat, sea blite, and an annual poppy.
There is a visitor contact station/museum on the island, with
exhibits, dioramas, and murals of the natural and cultural resources.
What to do: Activities include: hiking on the 6.5 miles
of trails, picnicking, camping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, fishing,
swimming, kayaking, and wildlife-watching. |
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