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What is so special about the Ranch?
The ranch is far from the largest of coastal ecosystems, but packs more biological diversity into a confined area than many properties four times its size. It is bordered on the north by a mile and a half of riparian habitat that encompasses tidal effect zones, seasonal freshwater marshes and wetlands dotted with birds. The Monterey pine grove (part of three remaining native stands in the world) serves as habitat and cover for wildlife moving between the adjacent coastal range and ocean bluffs.
The ranch is bisected by Highway 1 at the Santa Rosa Creek Bridge and offers migrating species the only wildlife corridor in the Santa Rosa alluvial valley not hard against human habitation or in competition with freeway-speed traffic. The result is an amazing display of nature's diversity including a number of endangered species and species of special concern. Red-legged frogs, tidewater gobies, western pond turtles, steelhead, monarch butterflies, great blue herons, burrowing owls, and Cooper's hawks are ranch residents along with the compact cobweb thistle and the SLO County dwarf morning glory. Coyotes, black-tailed deer, and the occasional bobcat pass under the highway bridge to the western slope in search of dry season springs and forage.The most outstanding natural feature of the new park is the dramatic ocean bluff that runs more than a mile along the shoreline. The rocky coast rises to a 400-foot ridge with breath-taking views of migrating whales and tide pools with playful otters before sloping southeastward to a willow-edged creek. Each spring, the meadows boast beautiful wildflower displays, and the Monterey pine and oak forests are full of migrating birds and butterflies. There are also numerous known cultural sites connected with ancient Chumash occupation.
The occurrence of such of natural beauty and open space within the heart of a developed community is very unusual, equivalent on a local scale to Central Park in New York City, Griffith Park in Los Angeles, or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. If such famous open spaces had not been set-aside early in the history of these communities, they would not exist today. The Ranch offers a rare expanse of nature and solitude, almost a back county experience, but within walking distance of visitor accommodations and neighborhoods.
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