15 photos from Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa island is home to the famous 1994 excavation of the pygmy mammoth, the most complete skeletal remains found of the species!

It is also home to the oldest human remains found in North America, dating 13,000 B.C., discovered in 1959 (the "Arlington Springs Man").  The island is a remarkable place of archeology and history.

It takes the full brunt of the open ocean swell and wind, but is large enough to create a protected side where we can anchor in the (sometimes) calm conditions. Its anchorages are wider and less sheltered than those found on Santa Cruz island, but the abundant flora and fauna, and wild scenery makes it a fantastic place to visit.





Where is Santa Rosa Island?

• 26 miles south of the Gaviota coastline
• 6 miles west of Santa Cruz island
• It is 15 miles wide by 10 miles long

Two interesting facts:

• The Arlington Springs Man (the oldest human remains found in North America) shows that early Paleo-Indians had capable watercraft, and re-enforces the "coastal migration" theory of peopling the Americas from Asia. 
• The Chumash called the island "Wima" (driftwood) as they would find the valuable redwood logs from which they built tomol plank canoes to cross from the mainland to the islands. 

Sources:

National Geographic

National Park Service