San Miguel Island
With an area of 14 square miles, San Miguel Island is the third-largest of the four Northern Channel Islands and is the sixth-largest island in the entire eight-island chain. It is the westernmost of the Channel Islands and is located 26 miles south of the Gaviota coastline. Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel’s closest island neighbor, is located 3 miles to the east.
The flora of San Miguel Island includes about 200 native taxa and 70 non-native taxa. The natural distribution of at least 18 of the island’s native taxa is restricted to two or more of the California islands.
One insular plant species (Castilleja mollis) is now known only from Santa Rosa Island but previously occurred on San Miguel Island as well.
Upcoming SBBG Island Field Trips...
Springtime on Santa Cruz Island
Four days and three nights: Monday, May 6 through Thursday, May 9: Celebrate spring on the largest and most diverse of the California Channel Islands. The island’s rich flora includes almost 50 endemics not found on the mainland, and participants will encounter most of them! Along with the island’s endemic foxes and scrub jays, explore pine forests, wooded canyons, coastal headlands, deserted beaches, and isolated coves.
- Participants will stay in the island’s Central Valley, at the University of California’s rustic field station, which offers dorm-style accommodations, hot showers, and a full kitchen
- Our group will explore the island on foot and in 4WD vehicles
- Limited to 11 participants, who must be in good physical condition
- Register now
