Wilder Ranch State Park - Santa Cruz National And State Park

  • Address: Santa Cruz, California, USA
  • Website:www.infopoint.com
Wilder Ranch State Park
Santa Cruz
California, USA

Wilder Ranch State Park Details

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  • Waves crash endlessly on the jagged north coast-seals and sea lions seek refuge in the sandycoves and rocky shores throughout the island-springtime wildflowers explode below occasionalsnow-covered peaks-the endemic island jay screeches loudly as it flutters from oak to oak-thetiny island fox seeks fruits and berries along central valley streams, gurgling their way homeward.These are the sights and sounds of giant Santa Cruz Island. DescriptionSanta Cruz is the largest island off the coast of California. Located between Anacapa and SantaRosa Islands, it lies from 19-25 miles off the adjacent mainland coast between Ventura and SantaBarbara. 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 andstreams, plus 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tidepools and expansivebeaches. Lying directly on the boundary between cold northern and warm southern waters, thisisland hosts unique plant, animal, and marine communities representing nearly 1000 miles ofcoastline. According to legend, Santa Cruz Island was named for a priest's staff accidentally left on theisland during the Portola expedition of 1769. A Chumash Indian found the cross-tipped stave andreturned it to the priest. The Spaniards were so impressed that they called this island of friendlypeople "La Isla de Santa Cruz", the Island of the Sacred Cross. Today, Santa Cruz Island is divided between The Nature Conservancy and the National ParkService. The Nature Conservancy owns and manages the western 90% of the island; the eastern10% is owned and managed by the National Park Service. What to SeeIn its vastness and variety of flora, fauna and geology, Santa Cruz Island resembles a miniatureCalifornia. Geologists believe that the island never has been attached to the mainland. All threemajor rock types-igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic-are ... more on goingtothebeach.com

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