Castro Rocks facts for kids
The Castro Rocks are a group of rocks found in the San Francisco Bay near Richmond, California. They stick out of the water between Castro Point and Red Rock Island. You can spot them almost directly under the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge (which is part of I-580). These rocks are an important spot for local wildlife.
Why are they called Castro Rocks?
These rocks get their name from Don Víctor Castro. He was a local landowner during the rancho era, a time when large areas of land were owned by families in California. The name "Castro Rocks" appeared on an early map of the San Francisco Bay Area in 1850. This map was created by Cadwalader Ringgold.
Home for Harbor Seals
The Castro Rocks are a favorite resting place for many harbor seals. These seals often lie on the rocks to rest and enjoy the sun. In fact, the Castro Rocks are the largest "rookery" (a place where animals gather to breed or rest) for harbor seals in the northern part of the San Francisco Bay. It's also the second largest in the entire Bay Area! Sometimes, you might even see sea lions sharing the rocks with the seals.
The seals from Castro Rocks also visit other nearby places like Mowry Slough, Brooks Island, Yerba Buena Island, and Mare Island. Scientists regularly study the seals at this location to monitor their health and the environment they live in.
See also
In Spanish: Rocas Castro para niños
