Red Rock Island (variously known as Moleta,[1]Molate Rock,[2] and Golden Rock[2]) is an uninhabited, 5.8-acre (2.3 ha) island in the
San Francisco Bay located just south of the
Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.[3] The property is the only privately owned island in San Francisco Bay.[3] The boundaries of three counties –
San Francisco,
Marin, and
Contra Costa – converge on the island.[4] The San Francisco County portion is an incorporated part of the city of San Francisco since it is a
consolidated city-county; the Contra Costa portion (most of the island) is incorporated inside the city limits of
Richmond.[5]
The mountain of bright red earth and rock is 500 ft (150 m) across from east to west, 750 ft (230 m) from north to south, and rises out of the bay to a height of 151 ft (46 m).[1] It is surrounded by some of the deepest water in the North Bay, nearly 60 ft (18 m) deep.
The island was once mined for
manganese. It was privately purchased in the 1920s. After a series of owners, David Glickman, at the time a San Francisco attorney and part-time real estate buyer, purchased the island in 1964 for US$49,500.[3]
In the 1980s, a plan was proposed (but never implemented) to remove the top half of the island (which would be sold for highway roadbed construction). The island would then be developed with a 10-story hotel and casino, and a yacht harbor on the
lee (north) side. Water and power would be provided from lines connected to the San Rafael Bridge.[11]
In the 21st century, the island was placed on the market multiple times:
in June 2007, Glickman, at the time a gem dealer in Thailand, announced that Red Rock Island was for sale for US$10 million;[12]
in early 2012, the island was listed with a realtor at a price of US$5 million;[13][14]
in late 2023 Brock Durning, who inherited the island from his father, Mack Durning, placed the island on the market for US$25 million, first time this property was offered through a
multiple listing service.[15]
No conservation groups or agencies have so far expressed interest in buying the island, though some have considered it.[3]
The island is mentioned and described as "Blue Island" in the novel
The Circle by Dave Eggers.[16]
^
abcdDavid Glickman (2007-07-13).
"Bay Area Private Island Sold for $10M". Morning Edition (audio/transcript). Interviewed by Renee Montagne. National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-04-30.