Brooks Island

Brooks Island is largely a flat piece of land in San Francisco Bay, situated in the South of Richmond Inner Harbor in Richmond, California. It is stretched out from a 160 ft. lofty round hill, called the Jefferds Hill. In 1853, this island got its name Brooks Island in maps of California. Originally, it was named as Isla de Càrmen, by a Spanish explorer. Over the past, it has also been called the Rocky Island, Sheep Island, and Bird Island.

The Ohlone Indians were the native inhabitants of this Island, who dwelled here for thousands of years. 

The Island is administered by the East Bay Regional Park District. The regional park district bought this Island in 1968. It was opened for the general public in 1998. Currently, the only access to Brooks island is authorized by the ranger-guided naturalist tour. The island is a habitat for some rare species of plants, involving the indigenous coastal grasslands. It is a nesting destination for more than 18 species of birds, such as herons, egrets, Caspian terns, etc. It's also a habitat for few amphibian species and Harbor seals. There are minimal facilities over this island.