Hollister Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hollister Ranch |
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Gaviota Coast and Point Conception, looking southwest. Much of the land in the lower half of the photo is on the old Hollister Ranch.
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| Town/City | Gaviota Coast (Unincorporated) Santa Barbara County |
| State | California |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 34°28′47″N 120°19′31″W / 34.47972°N 120.32528°W |
| Owner | Private |
| Area | 14,400 acres (58 km2) |
| Produces | Cattle |
| Status | Limited public access |
Hollister Ranch is a huge 14,400-acre (58 km2) area in Santa Barbara County, California. It is a private community and a working cattle ranch. This special place has amazing bluffs, quiet beaches, and grassy fields. It is one of the last untouched parts of the Southern California coastline.
Long ago, the Chumash lived here. They were some of the first humans known to settle in this part of the world. Later, in 1769, the Spanish Portolà expedition explored the coast. The land became part of a large Spanish ranch called Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio in 1794. The Ortega family ran this ranch.
After the American Civil War, William Welles Hollister bought the land. It was part of a much bigger purchase. Hollister Ranch is located between Gaviota State Park and Point Conception. For almost 40 years, there have been disagreements about public access to the beaches here. Even though California law says beaches are open to everyone, it is hard to reach the beaches at Hollister Ranch because the land leading to them is private.
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Cattle Ranching at Hollister Ranch
Hollister Ranch has been a cattle ranch since the 1790s. Today, it is the fourth largest cattle ranch in Santa Barbara County. In 2005, it shipped over 1,500,000 pounds (680,000 kg) of beef.
The rules of the Hollister Ranch Owners' Association and local laws help keep the land as a ranch. More than 98% of the property will always be used for cattle grazing. This helps reduce the risk of wildfires by keeping the grass short. It also helps the owners with tax benefits and keeps the area looking natural.
Fun Activities at the Ranch
The Hollister family, who owned the land before, used to let people enjoy the area. In the late 1950s, they gave a pass to a hunting club. This club later split into smaller groups, including the Santa Barbara Surf Club.
Over ten years, the Santa Barbara Surf Club found and named many surfing spots. These spots are along 8 miles (13 km) of beach. Some names include Razor Blades, Drake's, Utah, and St. Augustine.
Accessing the Beaches
Today, only owners of Hollister and Bixby ranches can use the beach and nearby areas easily. The public can reach the area by walking along the beach from nearby parks. They can also get there by boat.
For many years, a boat launch at Gaviota Pier allowed people to reach the state waters. This launch was closed around 2015. California law says that all land below the mean high tide line is open to the public. So, many surfers, divers, and fishermen still reach the waters by boat. They also walk in from Gaviota State Park to the east or Jalama Beach County Park to the west. People who visit often call this area "The Ranch."
Protecting the Environment
Many people who live at Hollister Ranch say they are good at taking care of the land. They believe they have found a way to balance building homes with protecting nature. They say the ranch is a healthy home for many plants and animals.
However, the California Coastal Commission has said that the ranch's past practice of driving cars on the beach was harmful. It damaged the beach habitats and was against the law. In 2018, the ranch changed its rules to stop beach driving.
Some environmental groups also worry about the cattle ranching. Even though cattle have been here since the 1860s, they can affect native plants and animals. There is also a big difference of opinion between ranch owners and some government officials. Owners say the ranch is beautiful and untouched. Others say the ranch's rules keep the public out unfairly.
In 2004, the National Park Service thought about making parts of the Gaviota Coast, including the Hollister Ranch coastline, a national seashore. But local landowners, especially those at Hollister Ranch, worked to stop this idea. They hired people to speak against the proposal.
For over twenty years, local school children have visited the Hollister Ranch. They learn about tide pools through the Hollister Ranch Conservancy's "Tidepool Classroom." This program helps protect sea life found only in this area.
