Begg Rock is an offshore rock pinnacle system in the Begg Rock State Marine Reserve. It is located northwest of Vizcaino Point, the west point of San Nicolas Island, Ventura County, California.US Dept of Commerce (1997). United States Coast Pilot 7 Pacific Coast: California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. 31st edition. Washington DC: NOAA. It rises from the ocean floor, with its highest pinnacle reaching an elevation of 15 feet (4.6 m) above sea level.US Dept of Commerce (1997). United States Coast Pilot 7 Pacific Coast: California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. 31st edition. Washington DC: NOAA. A reef extends both the north and south of the island by over 100 yards (91 m) each.US Dept of Commerce (1997). United States Coast Pilot 7 Pacific Coast: California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. 31st edition. Washington DC: NOAA. A lighted whistle buoy is north of the rock.US Dept of Commerce (1997). United States Coast Pilot 7 Pacific Coast: California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. 31st edition. Washington DC: NOAA. This rock may be found on NOAA chart 18755.US Dept of Commerce (1997). United States Coast Pilot 7 Pacific Coast: California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. 31st edition. Washington DC: NOAA. This rock was named by the Coast Survey,Erwin G. Gudde, William Bright (2004). California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names. after the boat John Begg, which struck a nearby rock in 1824.Erwin G. Gudde, William Bright (2004). California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names.

Begg Rock extends almost vertically down from above the surface. It has several pinnacles, a couple of which are always above water and a couple that are only exposed at low tide. The vertical walls of the rock are covered in filter-feeding organisms such as mussels, green anemones, and pisaster starfish. Below 40 feet (12 meters) are large areas of brightly colored Corynactis anemones. Past about 70 feet (21 meters) are patches of white Metridium anemones. The site used to be famous for large rock scallops, which were depleted by hunters. As a State Marine Reserve, Begg Rock is currently a no-take zone.

See also List of islands of California

Footnotes

References

External links NOAA Chart 18755 Diving the remote, beautiful, exotic and challenging Begg Rock