SOUTHLAND CALIFORNIA SUMMARIZED HISTORY, FACTS,  AND DEMOGRAPHICS 

CALIFORNIA GEOGRAPHY

Coastline and Islands

California's coastline is 1,352 km (840 mi) long; when all the inlets and islands are taken into account, it is 5,515 km (3,427 mi) long. The only large indentation along the coast is formed by San Francisco Bay and its tributary bays. The nearly landlocked bay is linked with the ocean through the narrow Golden Gate, and it is one of the finest harbors on the Pacific coast of North America. Other indentations include San Diego Bay, San Pedro Bay, Monterey Bay, and Humboldt Bay.

Catalina Island                                                               Monterey 

Other than the small, rocky Farallon Islands, which lie some 50 km (30 mi) west of the Golden Gate and which comprise a National Wildlife Refuge, the state's larger islands are offshore of southern California. They are in two groups: the Santa Barbara Channel islands, which geologically are a seaward continuation of the Transverse Ranges, and Santa Catalina, San Clemente and San Nicolas islands, which are associated geologically with the Peninsular Ranges. Although essentially uninhabited, the Channel Islands form a national park and are accessed by charter boat. By contrast, Santa Catalina, with its colorful port city of Avalon, has a permanent resident population, as do a few other islands. With the exception of far-flung San Clemente and San Nicolas islands, which serve as unoccupied United States military reservations, Santa Catalina and the Channel Islands are situated 50 km (30 mi) offshore, the former west of the densely populated Los Angeles Basin, and the latter due south of the city of Santa Barbara. None of the islands are large.

Monterey                                                             Asilomar Beach