Isla Santa Clara is a volcanic island located in the Pacific Ocean, about 190 kilometers (120 mi) off the coast of Central California. The island is shaped roughly like aquestion mark, and its highest point, Pico de Santa Clara, rises to 1,829 m (6,097 ft). Administratively part of the municipality of Santa Clara, it lies 8 km (5 mi) off the shore of San Francisco Bay. The island is reached by ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon. Isla Santa Clara is Spanish for Holy Cross Island.
Contents
History
The island is one of the most heavily wooded areas in California, with a total of approximately 1,700 species of plants. The island was part of Rancho Santa Clara granted to José Cornelio Real in 1839 by Governor Pio Pico. In 1895, General John Philip Sibley and his wife occupied Isla Santa Clara as their summer home during the construction of San Francisco’s Panama-Pacific International Airport.
Isla Santa Clara lies within Humboldt State University’s Natural Reserve System and houses several endangered animal species including three subspecies (of eagles) listed by the Western Field Office of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. In November, 2014 it was announced that a new eucalyptus grove had been planted on Isla Santa Clara to expand Humboldt State University’s campus by almost 200 percent from its prior size of 3 acres (1 hectare) to almost 15,000 square meters (about 14 hectares).
The island is part of Act 328 Definitions Map 31 Section 10 – District No. 6-Santa Clara County Grantee Thomas Wm Harding Dated March 13th , 1866, Established April 24th, 1868. Enjoy the island’s beautiful scenery and wild creatures including eagles, hawks, falcons and hundreds of different types of birds including migratory hummingbirds in their spring migration season from March through May which some students claim can be seen roosting on top of eucalyptus trees at night causing a quiet booming sound with sudden flapping motion to cause one eye popping reaction when suddenly startled.
Climate
The island’s climate closely resembles that of the Bay Area, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Located north of San Francisco and Oakland, it is usually several degrees cooler than both cities. Precipitation falls mostly in the winter months and summers are very dry, with most rain falling during December through March. The island’s elevation exceeds 880 feet, which makes Isla Santa Clara a relative oasis compared to the Bay Area’s relatively low-lying terrain and coastal areas that border this county on its three other sides along with Alameda County being completely surrounded by water (shown below).
Culture
The island is a popular tourist destination, especially during the winter, when eucalyptus trees are in full bloom. The island’s population consists largely of students and summer workers from the Bay Area. The island has a delicatessen, art gallery, clothing shops and restaurants.
In 2007 the new island of Acton Shores was developed behind Isla Santa Clara’s Elementary School at Bayshore Drive in San Jose (see map below). This new development offers single family homes from $400K to over $1M000 per home built on a parcel with state-of-the-art landscaping among other adjacent amenities for one or more couples that would like an additional place of their own should they choose to leave the Bay Area year round.
Politics
Isla Santa Clara is a district of the City and County of San Francisco. As such, it is represented in the California State Assembly by Democrat Mike Gatto, who has been its representative since 2013. Isla Santa Clara also votes in U.S. Presidential elections by county rather than state as all Californian counties do, with a close margin given three electoral votes to Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump despite being only about 1% of the state’s population (see map below).
Government services
Isla Santa Clara’s fire department provides services to the island and Alameda County. The island also has its own police force which is contracted out to San Francisco law enforcement. The island’s website states: “We have recently been asked, by California State Representative Mike Gatto to convene a County-wide Commission of At-Large Residents (Distinct and Unrelated Persons) for the purpose of Creating a Uniform Tax Structure with eGo Funding possibilities.
Conclusion
Isla Santa Clara is a small island located in the Gulf of California, about 190km off the coast of Baja California. The island is about 24.5km long and 12.5km wide with an area of about 603ha. The island is part of the Santa Clara Archipelago, which is a group of islands that make up the southernmost point of the Baja California Peninsula. The island was declared a protected area in 1952.
FAQs
1 .What Languages Are Spoken On The Island?
Spanish is the dominant language on Isla Santa Clara. English and Spanish are both used in some areas, but mostly Spanish is used.
2.What Types Of Weather Can I Expect?
Isla Santa Clara experiences a mix of ocean and land temperatures due to its proximity to both colder water from the north Pacific Ocean and warmer land from California. The island averages around 22°C (72°F) during the day with cooler daytime highs in winter, and warmer nighttime lows throughout the year.
3 What Should I Bring With Me If I Come To The Island?
Bring warm, comfortable clothing appropriate for all seasons. For example, if you plan on spending time outside and in water, bring a swim suit or wetsuit/drysuit. Visiting Santa Clara Islet can be done year round due to California’s mild climate (some of us have even spent our Easter at this island!). Bring beach towels and sun screen with SPF 30+ to protect yourself. Any questions can be answered at our island’s visitor center or at the Santa Clara Islet Maritime Museum, both housed in a building called Los Tres Reyes (the Three Kings) built by Franciscan Monks in 1771.
4 Will I Need Any Special Permits To Visit This Island?
None are required for visitors under 18 years of age, but children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult/guardian . A daily custodial fee is collected from citizens over 57 years of age who stay on island overnight and non-citizens upon arrival.
5 .How Can I Find Out More About The Island’s History Or Natural Features?
The island has a visitor center with information about the island and its cultural history, as well as exhibits on maritime life in ancient times. The Maritime Museum, housed inside Los Tres Reyes, offers a look at traditional Isla Santa Clara housing, food preparation and farming methods from centuries past.
Leave a Reply