Santa Cruz Island, Island in Santa Barbara County, United States
Santa Cruz Island is an island off the California coast in Santa Barbara County, stretching across 96 square miles (250 square kilometers). Two mountain ranges run through the land, deep canyons cut into the terrain, and the coastline shows steep cliffs and calm coves over 77 miles (124 kilometers).
Chumash communities lived here for over 10,000 years and founded ten villages that relied on fishing and ocean resources. Spanish missionaries arrived in the 18th century, followed by Mexican landowners and eventually American ranchers in the 1800s.
The name comes from the Spanish colonial period and honors the feast of the Holy Cross. Visitors today can walk among buildings from the 1800s and see how ranchers once lived and worked here.
Travelers must bring their own food and all supplies, as there are no shops or restaurants on the island. Water is available only at Scorpion Anchorage, and the campsites offer only basic facilities without electricity or showers.
On the northwest coast lies the Painted Cave, a sea cave stretching over a quarter mile (400 meters) and showing a waterfall at its entrance during the rainy season. Its interior glows in red and purple tones when sunlight passes through the opening and hits the rock walls.
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