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Santa
Cruz
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Santa
Cruz is the largest island off the
coast of California. Located between Anacapa and Santa Rosa
Islands, it lies from 19-25 miles off the adjacent mainland
coast between Ventura and Santa Barbara.
The scenic beauty of Santa Cruz is reflected in its many landforms-two
rugged mountain ranges, the highest peaks on the Channel Islands,
deep canyons, a central valley, year-round springs and streams,
plus 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine
tidepools and expansive beaches. Lying directly on the boundary
between cold northern and warm southern waters, this island
hosts unique plant, animal, and marine communities representing
nearly 1000 miles of coastline.
According to legend, Santa Cruz Island was named for a priest's
staff accidentally left on the island during the Portola expedition
of 1769. A Chumash Indian found the cross-tipped stave and returned
it to the priest. The Spaniards were so impressed that they
called this island of friendly people "La Isla de Santa Cruz",
the Island of the Sacred Cross.
Today, Santa Cruz Island is divided between The Nature Conservancy
and the National Park Service. The Nature Conservancy owns and
manages the western 90% of the island; the eastern 10% is owned
and managed by the National Park Service.
What to See: In its vastness and variety of flora, fauna
and geology, Santa Cruz Island resembles a miniature California.
Geologists believe that the island never has been attached to
the mainland. All three major rock types-igneous, sedimentary
and metamorphic-are found throughout this rugged, mountainous
island. Nestled between two mountain ranges that rise above
2,000 feet, is a pastoral Central Valley that was, and still
is, being created by a major earthquake fault.
Permanent and seasonal water sources, plus a number of microclimates,
support over 650 species of plants and trees in ten different
plant communities, from marshes and grasslands to chaparral
and pine forests. Owing to millions of years of isolation, eight
of these plants are "endemic"-they grow nowhere else in the
world. Springtime is a patchwork of blooming annuals, sometimes
seen from the mainland as bright splashes of color.
Over 140 land bird species have been identified here. The Island
scrub jay, a Santa Cruz Island endemic, is a living example
of "gigantism," whereby some island animals evolve to a larger
form. This bird is one-third bigger and much bluer than the
mainland scrub jay. Other animals, like the island fox and spotted
skunk, tend toward "dwarfism," growing smaller over the ages.
Eleven other mammal species (nine bats, deer and harvest mouse)
three kinds of amphibians (pacific chorus frog, black belly
slender salamander, and the Channel Islands slender salamander)
and five reptiles (side-blotched lizard, Southern alligator
lizard, western fence lizard, western yellow belly racer and
gopher snake) might be seen by the lucky visitor.
The marine life surrounding Santa Cruz is a whole other world.
Porpoises, dolphins, and whales can be sighted near island shores,
feeding in the wealth of kelp forests. Pinnipeds such as harbor
seals and California sea lions "haul out" in isolated coves
to warm themselves and seek refuge. Ragged cliffs, offshore
rocks and tidepools support large colonies of breeding sea birds,
shellfish, crustaceans and other shoreline plants and animals.
Santa Cruz Island has some of the largest, and deepest sea caves
in the world. In the largest, known as Painted Cave because
of its colorful rock types, lichens, and algae, the entrance
ceiling rises upward to 160 feet. Nearly a quarter mile long
and 100 feet wide, with a waterfall over its entrance in the
spring, Painted Cave is breathtaking.
Many historic buildings dot the landscape of Santa Cruz and
mirror tales of its inhabitants. Adobe ranch houses, barns,
blacksmith and saddle shops, wineries, and a chapel all attest
to the many uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800's and 1900's.
Prior to Spanish exploration and the ranching days, the island
was known as "Limuw" to the resident Chumash Indians. A dozen
villages housed nearly 2,000 people, many of them producing
"shell-bead money" used as a major trade item by tribes throughout
California. Large plank canoes, called "tomols," provided transportation
between the islands and mainland. Remnants of their civilization
can still be seen in thousands of "shell middens" on the island.
The protection and preservation of these resources, both natural
and cultural, is the major mission of the National Park Service
and The Nature Conservancy, the two overseers of Santa Cruz
Island. Your concern and care will help protect this rare and
unique treasure for future generations to enjoy and study.
What to Do:
Hiking:
Many trails and roads traverse the ridges and canyons of Santa
Cruz, providing spectacular views of unspoiled coves and beaches.
On The Nature Conservancy property, visitors can walk the magnificent
1.5-mile coastal trail between Prisoner's Harbor and Pelican
Bay or hike up the numerous canyons, which extend from the beach
to the interior of the island. The eastern end of Santa Cruz
offers trails and roads to Cavern Point, Potato Harbor, and
Smuggler's Cove. Ask for the Eastern Santa Cruz Island Visitor
Guide for maps and more detailed information on hiking opportunities
on this eastern end.
Camping:
A year-round campground is operated by the National Park Service
at Scorpion Ranch on the east end of Santa Cruz Island. Campers
may choose between numerous shaded canyon sites. All gear must
be carried by campers up to 1/2 mile. The campsites are primitive
and all provisions must be brought by campers, including food,
drinking water and fueled campstoves. Open fires are allowed
in specified locations. Some wood is available, but only charcoal
briquets or manufactured logs (prestolight/duraflame eg) can
be brought to the island. Do not bring regular firewood as
it
can introduce insects and non-native plant species to the island.
Enclosed camp stoves are permitted. Pit toilets are provided.
A reservation is required and can be obtained by calling 1
(800)
365-CAMP (2267). No camping is allowed on The Nature Conservancy
property (the western 90% of the island).
Picnics:
Tables for day-use are available at both Scorpion Ranch and
Smugglers' Cove. There are no food or drink concessions. Public
pit toilets are found at both locations.
Water Sports:
Swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving are popular pastimes
at many Santa Cruz Island coves and beaches. Kayaking is becoming
increasingly popular among island visitors, and the crystalline
waters, sea caves, cliffs, and coves of Santa Cruz await the
adventurous traveler. Water sport equipment rentals, guided
tours and classes can be arranged through local shops, outfitters
and Island Packers. The Sea Kayaking Page provides information
on kayaking around the island including contacts for guided
trips and equipment rentals. Ocean conditions are highly variable
and sometimes dangerous. They should be carefully checked before
entering the water. There are no lifeguards on duty, so all
water sports are at your own risk.
Regulations:
For Your Safety Many trails and roads on Santa Cruz Island are
rugged and mountainous, so visitors should be in good physical
condition. Extra caution should be exercised when approaching
cliffside overlooks, since the edges tend to be crumbly and
unstable. Stay well back, especially if you are accompanied
by children. A strain of Hanta Virus has been identified in
mouse populations on Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and San
Miguel Islands in Channel Islands National Park. For more information
on Hanta Virus and precautions to take while on the island.
Kayakers and other seaside explorers should use extra caution
when exploring sea caves. Ocean currents, waves and tides can
cause tricky channel conditions. Kayakers should also see the
Sea Kayaking Page for further information.
Resource Protection:
As in all national parks, all resources are protected completely
under federal law. Visitors may not collect, harass, feed, or
otherwise harm the wild life, plant life or other natural and
cultural resources of Channel Islands National Park. This includes,
but is not limited to, plants, animals, rocks, shells, feathers
and other natural, archeological, underwater and historic features
within the park. Under federal law it is illegal to disturb
seabirds, or seals and seal lions. They are very sensitive to
any type of human disturbance, especially during nesting and
pupping seasons. In order to avoid disturbance, check the map
to locate haul-out, pupping and nesting sites and do not approach
these areas. Visitors should stay 100 yards away from marine
mammals and seabirds.
Closures and Permits: To protect
the exceptional biological, cultural and historical resources
of Santa Cruz Island the National Park Service has established
the following regulations: A reservation is required to camp
(camping only allowed on eastern Santa Cruz) and can be obtained
by calling 1 (800) 365-CAMP (2267). Airplanes must be 1000 ft
above sea level unless authorized by the NPS or the Nature Conservancy.
No pets allowed on the island. No smoking except on the beach
or in the campground. The National Park boundary around Santa
Cruz Island extends 1 nautical mile offshore. Within this area,
there are several agencies that have management responsibility
and regulations. For complete information regarding these regulations,
please refer to the National Marine Sanctuary's Synopsis of
Regulations brochure available at the Channel Islands National
Park Visitor Center.
Santa Cruz Island Facts:
Santa Cruz Island is located in Santa Barbara County. Santa
Cruz is California's largest island, almost three times the
size of Manhattan.
It is approximately:
24 miles long and up to 6 miles wide (32 km. by 9 km.)
96 square miles (249 sq. km.)
62,000 acres (25,100 hectares)
Average rainfall-20 inches.
Temperature range-20 F to 100 F.
Painted Cave is the largest known sea cave in the world.
Picacho Diablo (Devil's Peak) is the tallest peak on the Channel
Islands at 2,434 ft. (730 meters).
Santa Cruz has the greatest number of plant and animal species
of all the Channel Islands. |
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