Santa Catalina is 26 miles across the sea.

Many know that because of the 1958 hit by The Four Preps.

And when it comes to islands in California, there’s a lot more to sing about than just the eight main Channel Islands — and several smaller ones.

At least 500 more.

There are 527 islands in California deemed worthy enough of having names listed as part of the Geographical Names Information System.

It serves as the federal standard for geographic nomenclature.

The GNIS list includes islands in the ocean, bays, rivers, and the delta.

It also includes manmade islands such as Treasure Island created adjacent to naturally made Yerba Buena Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay to host the 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition that sounded as the World’s Fair that year.

San Francisco is also home to California’s most notorious island — Alcatraz.

Tons of tourists from all over the world when they visit San Francisco make it a point to spend some money to take a cruise to walk on “The Rock.”

But before Alcatraz was a federal prison and the world knew about “The Birdman”, saw Clint Eastwood in “Escape from Alcatraz”, or were thrilled by Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage in “The Rock”, others from halfway around the world knew about Angel Island.

Angel Island today is a state park you can take a ferry to if you want to explore on a day hike or simply enjoy a picnic.

It’s the largest island in San Francisco Bay.

More than 80 years ago, it was the West Coast point of entry for immigrants. It was known as the Ellis Island of the West.

From 1910 through 1940, more than 500,000 people from 80 countries passed through immigration facilities on Angel Island on the way to new lives in America.

When it comes to the most populated island in California, it might just be Coronado Island accessed by bridge from San Diego.

It has 23,000 plus residents, a Navy air base, and a historic resort known as the Hotel Del Coronado.

But give it a few years, and it will be No. 2.

That’s because at total buildout, River Islands at Lathrop will be home to around 45,000 people.

River Islands is listed with GNIS with the official name of Stewart Tract.

Stewart Tract is one of 57 islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Before it became a 15,001-home planned community, Stewart Tract was home to less than 10 people.

Then there is Fannette Island.

It is one of the highest islands in California, at least with a name.

It’s at an elevation of 6,814 feet and it’s the only island in Lake Tahoe.

It sits in the middle of Emerald Bay. It is part of a state park by the same name.

On top of the small island carved by glaciers, is a small stone tea house built at the same time the Vikingsholm mansion was built on the nearby shore in the 1920s.

The owners accessed it by motor boat.

And when it comes to famous islands that are for the birds, there is San Francisco.

Some 30 miles west of the Golden Gate are the combined 141 acres of the Farallon Islands that area actually within the County of San Francisco. It is also a national wildlife refuge.

You don’t have to take a boat to get a peek at them.

All you need is a clear day and a drive to the top of Mt. Diablo at the 3,849-foot elevation.

You can make them out with the naked eye but to really take them in bring along binoculars.