Farallon Islands

I am the Great Granddaughter of William A Beeman, who was the lighthouse keeper in the late 1800s on the Farallon Island
He and his wife, Whilimena Beeman, were very special people in our lives. I know all about their son, Royal, whom they had to row a small boat to San Francisco in hopes of saving his life. Their daughter Virginia was my grandmother, who also lived on the island as a little girl. I always heard wonderful story's about her childhood.

These islands, a National Wildlife Refuge just 27 miles from San Francisco, host unique wildlife species, some endangered, some found nowhere else in the world. Though they look rugged, the island ecosystem is incredibly fragile and vulnerable to invasive species, climate change, and other anthropogenic impacts. Having worked on them on several marine biological projects I've experienced the magic such wild places inspire, and learned their compelling need of protection. I hope you will be able to take a cruise in the marine sanctuary waters surrounding them, and learn about their place in our offshore marine environment as well as their human history, which we are still writing. Support the work of Pt. Blue Conservation Science, the year-round stewards who conduct ongoing research on the islands, who work to remove invasive species, and act to restore balance and resilience to the ecosystem. And support Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary which protects the waters surrounding the refuge and along the northern California coast. They are major players in marine conservation for the region, powerful partners for positive change on our Blue Planet.

The most alien part of San Francisco. Definitely worth a visit. Definitely take seasick medication beforehand or you’ll puke overboard the whole time like I did. Still 5 stars.

It's an ordeal to get to, but so worth it. There were 300,000 nesting Common Murres and the Pacific's southernmost colony of fur seals.

Having wanted to go out to the Farallons for many years, I finally took a boat ride with the Oceanic Society out there with my son. It was certainly very cold and very windy, and a bit choppy at times, but it was a wonderful experience to be far out of the Bay, into the Pacific, feeling the open sea and briny air, watching the wildlife (e.g., whales, sea lions, puffins, albatross, and other birds), and circling these islands that have been called the "Galapagos of the North".