| San Clemente Island - San Clemente Island is the
southernmost of eight channel islands, about 75 miles northwest of San Diego. The Navy has
owned San Clemente Island since 1933. Its surrounding waters support research and training
for ships and aircraft of the Pacific fleet. The island is home to a Naval Auxiliary
Landing Field. Visitors are not allowed on shore, and anchoring is only allowed when no
target practice is taking place. This is rare and, even if permission to
anchor is obtained from the Navy, they may wake you at 3:00 AM and tell you to leave
immediately. We do not recommend visiting as a rule without express permission. San
Clemente Island is considered the most biologically distinctive coastal island owned by
the United States. It is the southernmost Channel Island, located 75 miles northwest of
San Diego, CA. It supports a variety of Naval activities as well as environmental and
zoological studies. The island is home to various wildlife, most notably to two distinct
species: The San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike and the San Clemente Night Lizard. The San
Clemente loggerhead shrike is one of the rarest birds in North America. A sub-species of
the more widespread loggerhead shrike, it now lives only on San Clemente Island.
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