Copyright: East Bay Regional Park District Brooks Island

Description - Located just off the Richmond Inner Harbor, this 373-acre island in San Francisco Bay has a colorful history.

Its original inhabitants were Indians. Their shellmounds and burial sites, up to 2,500 years old, are an archaeological treasure being preserved and protected.

With the advent of European settlers, the island was used for grazing and quarrying.

Attractions - Brooks Island is open for limited group guided tours. Call the phone number listed under Contact Information to make reservations. Visitors must supply their own boat transportation and personal safety equipment. Facilities are minimal.

Island excursions ($) include introduction to paddling equipment and strokes with a trip through the Richmond Harbor. Opportunities include exploration of the preserved shoreline, a 2-mile hike around the island that is normally closed to visitors, and spectacular views of San Francisco and the bridges. Financial assistance is available.

Two portions of the island are protected wildlife habitat. A tern nesting area is closed all year. A heron / egret area is closed March to August of each year.

Recreation - Viewing an ancient historical site and solitude are the pleasures enjoyed by those who boat to Brooks Island.

Climate - Climate in the San Francisco Bay area varies greatly with elevation and the amount of coastal influence. Areas with more coastal influence experience moderate temperatures year round with fog likely from June through mid-August. Plan your coastal visit in the late summer or fall to ensure the best conditions for viewing the scenery. Also, occasional clear days between winter and spring storms are incomparable. Areas further inland experience greater temperature extremes, with relatively cooler winters and hot summers. Inland areas often receive frost on winter nights. As throughout most of California most of the precipitation comes in the winter months, with April through October normally very dry.

Location - The Brooks Island area is located just off the Richmond Inner Harbor across the bay from San Francisco.

LAT: 37.898359157
LONG: -122.355208397