Harmony Headlands State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harmony Headlands State Park |
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Dudleya blooming in Harmony Headlands State Park
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 Harmony Headlands State Park
Location in California
Harmony Headlands State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Luis Obispo County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Cayucos, California |
| Area | 748 acres (303 ha) |
| Established | 2003 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Harmony Headlands State Park is a special place on the California coast. It protects a beautiful, untouched part of the Pacific Ocean shoreline. You can find this park in San Luis Obispo County, right along Highway 1.
This park is the only public spot to reach the coast between the towns of Cayucos and Harmony. It covers about 748-acre (303 ha) of land. The park was officially created in 2003. The Cayucos Land Conservancy group helped a lot to make this park happen. They also helped raise money for its development.
Harmony Headlands State Park is open only during the day. You cannot bring dogs or bikes on the trails. The park has simple facilities. These include a small parking area and a portable toilet. There is also a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail. This trail goes through grassy areas near the ocean. From the trail, you get amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Volunteers often help out at the park. They can answer questions and share information.
Park History: How it Became a Park
The land where Harmony Headlands State Park now sits has a long history. It was once part of a large Mexican land grant called Rancho San Geronimo. This grant was made in 1842.
In 1865, an American settler bought the Rancho. Over the years, the land changed owners several times. Then, in 1912, the Storni family bought about 750-acre (300 ha) of this land. They ran a dairy farm here for many years. The Storni family operated their farm until the mid-1960s.
In 1975, the Storni Ranch was sold to people who wanted to build homes there. They planned to divide the land into many small lots. However, this building project did not happen. In 2003, the American Land Conservancy bought the property. They then sold it to California State Parks.
Even after the land was bought, it took a while for the park to open. There were some official problems that caused delays. The park finally opened to the public in November 2008. The Cayucos Land Conservancy played a big role in solving these problems. They also provided money to help develop the park.
