U.S. Channel Islands: The Eight Islands of California

The Channel Islands of California (also called the Santa Barbara Islands) are an eight-island archipelago off the Southern California coast. From north to south:

1. San Miguel
2. Santa Rosa
3. Santa Cruz (largest, 250 km²)
4. Anacapa (three islets)
5. Santa Barbara
6. San Nicolas
7. Santa Catalina (only one with permanent civilian population, ~4,000)
8. San Clemente

Five northern islands form Channel Islands National Park; surrounding waters are a National Marine Sanctuary. The Farallon Islands (off San Francisco) are a separate group.