Big Sur Land Trust: Protected Lands

A visual tour of Big Sur Land Trust's protected lands throughout Monterey County.

Big Sur Land Trust

Introduction

Big Sur Land Trust has been working to conserve land in Monterey County since 1978 and has protected over 45,000 acres throughout the county during this time. Protected lands currently held in fee include 25 properties totaling over 9,000 acres, as well as 35 voluntary land conservation agreements totaling nearly 7,000 acres. In addition to these fee lands and voluntary land conservation agreements, Big Sur Land Trust has protected an additional 29,000 acres by acquiring land and transferring it to a public agency to own and manage or by partnering with other groups to assist with acquisition projects. Scroll down to view the properties and learn more about Big Sur Land Trust projects.

Fee Ownership

A primary mechanism Big Sur Land Trust uses to protect land is to acquire it from willing sellers. This map tour highlights properties that Big Sur Land Trust currently owns in chronological order of the acquisition date, from 1978-2024. These 25 properties total over 9,000 acres of protected land.

Big Sur Land Trust has made a commitment to care for the conservation values and infrastructure of these properties over the long term. True lasting protection lies within the ability to act as stewards of the land and do the job well. Big Sur Land Trust's goal is to manage land in a way that promotes the ecological integrity, functioning, and resilience of ecosystems. Our work is guided by both traditional and innovative science-based approaches that restore unique habitats, manage invasive species, reduce erosion into sensitive waterways, and protect rare and sensitive biological communities.

Six of these fee properties are our key preserves: Arroyo Seco Ranch (near Greenfield), Carr Lake (Salinas), Glen Deven Ranch (Big Sur), Marks Ranch (near Salinas), Martin Dunes (near Marina), and Mitteldorf Preserve (Carmel Valley). On these varied landscapes spread throughout the county, we offer managed public access through hikes, events and outdoor youth programming.

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Voluntary Land Conservation Agreements

Voluntary land conservation agreements (also known as conservation easements) protect land through a voluntary legally binding agreement between a landowner and a land trust. The landowner retains ownership of the land and many private property rights. The land trust and landowner work together to protect conservation values identified in the easement agreement, which is designed to maintain important habitats, wildlife, working lands and cultural resources. Regular visits and monitoring ensure that conservation values are maintained. Voluntary land conservation agreements allow private landowners to play a key role in protecting natural and cultural resources. 

This map tour displays Big Sur Land Trust's current voluntary land conservation agreements holdings in chronological order of the acquisition date, from 1980-2024. These 35 conservation agreements total nearly 7,000 acres.

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Transfers and Assists

Big Sur Land Trust has protected an additional 29,000 acres of land, in addition to the fee and voluntary land conservation agreement projects mentioned above. Many of these properties were permanently protected and then transferred to a partner public agency to own and manage for conservation and public access, such as California State Parks, US Forest Service and Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. Big Sur Land Trust's role in these projects varied; in some cases Big Sur Land Trust acquired land and transferred it. In other cases, Big Sur Land Trust simply provided funding. These projects range in size from 0.06 acres up to 10,000 acres and some of the key projects are highlighted below.

Otter Cove Parcels

Big Sur Land Trust received a donation of several parcels of land in 1980 in northern Big Sur and transferred them to private owners in 1994. Monterey County holds a voluntary land conservation agreement over this land. Photo credit: Copyright © 2002-2019 Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman, California Coastal Records Project, www.californiacoastline.org.

Henry Miller Memorial Library

Following Henry Miller's death in 1980, Emil White donated the property where the library sits to Big Sur Land Trust, then spent the rest of his life as the library director. After White died in 1989, Big Sur Land Trust operated and administered the library until 1994, when current director Magnus Toren took over. In 1998, Toren created the nonprofit library foundation, which assumed the operations. In 2012, Big Sur Land Trust donated the property to the Henry Miller Library Foundation to own and manage. Photo credit: Serena Renner.

Merrill

This 3-acre property was purchased in 1985 and transferred to Pebble Beach Corporation. Del Monte Forest Conservancy holds a voluntary land conservation agreement to ensure permanent protection. Photo credit: JOE BLOWE via Wikimedia Commons.

Cowell

Big Sur Land Trust purchased these 80 acres in 1985 and transferred the property to State Parks. It is now part of Limekiln State Park. Photo credit: Kevin Stanchfield, via Wikimedia Commons.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Additions

Big Sur Land Trust purchased two 40-acre parcels adjacent to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in 1986 (Hurley and Norman/Swiss Camp). These parcels were transferred to State Parks (one was first sold to Save the Redwoods League, then State Parks) and are now part of the State Park, accessible via the Tan Bark Trail. Additionally, Big Sur Land Trust held a 40-acre voluntary land conservation agreement in this area, that was lifted when property ownership was transferred to State Parks. Photo credit: Chris Mock, via AllTrails.

Mill Creek Redwood Preserve

In 1986 and 1987, Big Sur Land Trust purchased most of what is now the 1,534-acre Mill Creek Redwood Preserve. The property was owned by various logging companies, who harvested redwoods and tanbarks for decades. Big Sur Land Trust sold the property to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District who offered public access via their permit reservation system until the Sobranes Fire in 2016, which caused road closures and extensive damage.

San Carlos Beach Park

In 1987, Big Sur Land Trust purchased and transferred 3 acres of land to the City of Monterey to create what is now known as San Carlos Beach Park, adjacent to the jetty and harbor. It is a popular destination for SCUBA divers, who know the site as "Breakwater", in addition to the many visitors who pass through the park while on the scenic Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Photo credit: californiabeaches.com.

Stoddard

This 1-acre parcel on Palo Colorado Road was donated to Big Sur Land Trust in 1988. The property was sold in 2011 to an adjacent landowner after it was determined the parcel held minimal conservation value or benefit.

Whisler

This 40-acre property along San Jose Creek was protected via a voluntary land conservation agreement held by Big Sur Land Trust from 1988 to 1993. This key property, near Monastery Beach and the Carmelite Monastery, is at the mouth of the San Jose Creek watershed. The agreement was extinguished when the property was acquired by State Parks as part of Point Lobos Ranch.

Garland Ranch Additions

Big Sur Land Trust purchased and transferred several properties to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District that became part of Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley. These projects include the Griffin (1988) Condon/Veeder (1996) and Moo (2006) acquisitions and totaled 128 acres. Garland Ranch Regional Park, now over 4,000 acres, is a beloved public park providing access to thousands of visitors per year. Photo credit: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sand City Parcels

Big Sur Land Trust acquired 19 small parcels in Sand City between 1989 and 2008 via purchase and donation. The parcels total less than 4 acres but the land, on the west side of Highway 1, was private and developable. Big Sur Land Trust transferred the parcels to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and State Parks to ensure permanent protection of this important dune habitat. Photo credit: californiabeaches.com.

Marina Dunes Preserve

Big Sur Land Trust purchased two parcels of critical coastal sand dune habitat in 1989 and 2000 that were slated for development. One parcel was first transferred to State Parks, then both parcels were transferred to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and it is now known as Marina Dunes Preserve, which is open to the public. Photo credit: Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.

Point Lobos Ranch

Big Sur Land Trust acquired this 1,312-acre property across from Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in 1993 and over a 10-year period transferred it to California State Parks. Point Lobos Ranch, as it was then called, was threatened with an extensive conference center and condominium development that would have compromised the Reserve’s serene setting and rich natural resources. Point Lobos Ranch includes about 2.5 miles of San Jose Creek, which provides habitat for threatened steelhead trout. The creek winds through a deep canyon where pink rhododendrons grow in the deep shade of the redwood forest. In 2021, the California Parks and Recreation Commission approved classifying and naming this property Ishxenta State Park (pronounced Eesh-henta), an indigenous name given to the Point Lobos area by the Rumsen people who lived in this region for millennia prior to the arrival of the Spanish and Americans.

Zmudowski Beach

This 1-acre parcel in Moss Landing was purchased in 1996 and transferred to State Parks as an addition to Zmudowski State Beach.

Cominos

In 1996 Big Sur Land Trust accepted a donation of 30 acres of land in Big Sur from a local family. Big Sur Land Trust protected the property with a voluntary land conservation agreement before transferring the land to the Fish Ranch Trust. This property is now part of Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve, owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and permanently protected as open space.

Big Creek Reserve Addition (Prentiss)

In 1997, Big Sur Land Trust purchased 480 acres in Big Sur and subsequently donated it to UC Regents as an addition to Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve. This acquisition had tremendous local support and prevented a previously proposed development. The property includes the upper reaches of three watersheds (Big Creek, Rat Creek and Dolan Creek) as well as steep rugged slopes, stands of redwoods, grasslands and coastal scrub. The Reserve is utilized by scientists and students from around the world. Photo credit: UC Natural Reserve System.

El Sur Ranch

The El Sur Ranch, located on the Big Sur coast, has been continuously operated as a cattle ranch since 1834. In 1997, Big Sur Land Trust facilitated negotiations and cemented the conservation of 3,252 acres of the historic property using Proposition 70 funding. A voluntary land conservation agreement, held by Monterey County, ensures the coastal slopes of this land will never be developed. Photo credit: El Sur Ranch.

Long Valley

In 1998, Big Sur Land Trust purchased over 400 acres of land in Castroville just east of Elkhorn Slough. It was transferred to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to own and manage in 1999. The property contains grassland, maritime chaparral, coast live oak woodland, coastal scrub and freshwater wetlands that conserve an important part of the Elkhorn Slough watershed.

Andrew Molera State Park Addition (Kent)

Big Sur Land Trust purchased 17 acres adjacent to Andrew Molera State Park in 1998 and 1999. The land was then transferred to State Parks and added to the larger park. Andrew Molera State Park offers hiking, camping, beach access and spectacular views. Photo credit: State Parks.

Prop 70 Projects

Big Sur Land Trust acquired 16 properties in Big Sur in the 1990's using Proposition 70 funding. These properties, totaling over 200 acres, were transferred to Monterey County and the US Forest Service to own and manage for the long term. The two parcels shown here in orange were acquired in 1990 (Perrine property, 5 acres, left) and 1996 (Falotico property, 3 acres, right) and are adjacent to Los Padres National Forest land near Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. Photo credit: Copyright © 2002-2019 Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman, California Coastal Records Project.

Patterson Ranches

Big Sur Land Trust purchased 688 acres on the Big Sur coast in several transactions between 1997 and 1999. The properties were sold to a conservation buyer, who agreed not to develop the land, and Big Sur Land Trust recorded voluntary land conservation agreements to ensure permanent protection.

Ewoldsen

This 30-acre property was purchased in 1999 by Big Sur Land Trust, transferred to the US Forest Service and added to Los Padres National Forest. The property contains a section of Pheneger Creek as well as old growth redwoods and had been owned by the Ewoldsen/Pfeiffer family since 1888. Photo credit: Brian Lopez, Wikimedia.

Little Horse Ranch/Murphy

In 2000, Big Sur Land Trust accepted a donation of 1,203 acres of land in Big Sur from a local family. Big Sur Land Trust protected the property with a voluntary land conservation agreement before transferring the land to the Fish Ranch Trust. This property is now part of Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve, owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and permanently protected as open space.

Sakasegawa

Big Sur Land Trust purchased this 16-acre property in the Carmel Highlands in 2000. It's adjacent to Point Lobos Ranch to the north and Whisler-Wilson Ranch to the east, and was transferred to State Parks in 2002.

Flavin

Big Sur Land Trust acquired this nearly 600-acre property in Carmel Valley on the Carmel River off Cachagua Road in 2002, then transferred ownership to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, who also owns the adjacent Cachagua Community Park. Photo credit: David.c.stone, Wikimedia.

Palo Corona Regional Park and Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve

In 2002, the nearly 10,000-acre Palo Corona Ranch was purchased after an eight year effort by Big Sur Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy, working in partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and other public agencies. The northern 4,350 acres of the former ranch property was transferred to the MPRPD to create Palo Corona Regional Park. CDFW added the southern 5,500 acres of the former ranch to its existing 640-acre Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve. 

Whitney

This Big Sur parcel and residence was bequeathed to Big Sur Land Trust as part of an estate in 2005. This property was subsequently sold and the proceeds were used by Big Sur Land Trust to fund stewardship and conservation in Big Sur, in alignment with the donor's wishes.

Marks Ranch

Most of the 816-acre ranch that Big Sur Land Trust purchased in 2007 was transferred to Monterey County Parks to be managed as part of Toro County Park. Big Sur Land Trust maintains ownership of the remaining 79 acres, which includes an historic hacienda and ornamental garden with rare palms and cactus where the Marks family once lived. Since 2015, Big Sur Land Trust outdoor youth day camps have been held here, providing youngsters inspirational time in open spaces. This property is one of our six key preserves, where we offer managed public access through hikes, events and outdoor youth programming.

Dorrance Ranch

Big Sur Land Trust entered into formal agreement with The Nature Conservancy in 2007 to assist with fundraising to permanently protect this 4,300 acre historic cattle ranch. The Dorrance Ranch spans the watershed divide between the Carmel and Salinas Rivers and provides the scenic backdrop to much of northern Monterey County along the slopes of Mount Toro. The property includes oak woodlands and savannas, annual and perennial grasslands, mixed woodlands, riparian corridors, mixed riparian forests, and high quality aquatic communities.

Horse Pasture (Beck)

The Wilderness Land Trust purchased this in-holding, 160 acres, in 2007 and transferred it to the US Forest Service. Big Sur Land Trust assisted with this acquisition project by providing funding towards the purchase.

Ehniz Trail Easement

Big Sur Land Trust acquired this trail easement in 2009 and then transferred it to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. The easement is 15 feet wide and 1,300 feet in length and provides legal public access to Garland Ranch Regional Park for equestrians who have used the route since at least 1931. Photo credit: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Whisler-Wilson Ranch

The property known formerly as the Whisler-Wilson Ranch is a 317-acre parcel that belonged to descendants of the A.M. Allan family. Mr. Allan is credited with originally saving Point Lobos from development in the late 1800s. It is located south of Carmel and inland of Highway One, across from Monastery Beach and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Big Sur Land Trust acquired the property from the Whisler and Wilson Family Trusts in 2010 and transferred the entire property to the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District in 2015 as an addition to Palo Corona Regional Park. The property offers stunning “top of the world” views of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel River State Beach, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as well as inland views of Palo Corona Regional Park, Jacks Peak, Carmel Valley and the mountain ranges beyond.

Southbank Trail

Big Sur Land Trust acquired land and multiple trail easements in Carmel Valley to create the Southbank Trail starting in 2011. This 1.5 mile long pedestrian and bicycle path is located on the south side of the Carmel River between Quail Lodge and Palo Corona Regional Park. Big Sur Land Trust still owns the land and holds the trail easements. The trail is maintained by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.

Kopp

This 6-acre property on the west side of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast was donated to Big Sur Land Trust. In 2017, the steep slopes at Mud Creek on the east side of the highway suffered a catastrophic collapse and landslide, destroying a portion of the highway and covering this property. Big Sur Land Trust transferred the land to CalTrans in 2022.

Otter Cove Parcels

Big Sur Land Trust received a donation of several parcels of land in 1980 in northern Big Sur and transferred them to private owners in 1994. Monterey County holds a voluntary land conservation agreement over this land. Photo credit: Copyright © 2002-2019 Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman, California Coastal Records Project, www.californiacoastline.org.

Henry Miller Memorial Library

Following Henry Miller's death in 1980, Emil White donated the property where the library sits to Big Sur Land Trust, then spent the rest of his life as the library director. After White died in 1989, Big Sur Land Trust operated and administered the library until 1994, when current director Magnus Toren took over. In 1998, Toren created the nonprofit library foundation, which assumed the operations. In 2012, Big Sur Land Trust donated the property to the Henry Miller Library Foundation to own and manage. Photo credit: Serena Renner.

Merrill

This 3-acre property was purchased in 1985 and transferred to Pebble Beach Corporation. Del Monte Forest Conservancy holds a voluntary land conservation agreement to ensure permanent protection. Photo credit: JOE BLOWE via Wikimedia Commons.

Cowell

Big Sur Land Trust purchased these 80 acres in 1985 and transferred the property to State Parks. It is now part of Limekiln State Park. Photo credit: Kevin Stanchfield, via Wikimedia Commons.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Additions

Big Sur Land Trust purchased two 40-acre parcels adjacent to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in 1986 (Hurley and Norman/Swiss Camp). These parcels were transferred to State Parks (one was first sold to Save the Redwoods League, then State Parks) and are now part of the State Park, accessible via the Tan Bark Trail. Additionally, Big Sur Land Trust held a 40-acre voluntary land conservation agreement in this area, that was lifted when property ownership was transferred to State Parks. Photo credit: Chris Mock, via AllTrails.

Mill Creek Redwood Preserve

In 1986 and 1987, Big Sur Land Trust purchased most of what is now the 1,534-acre Mill Creek Redwood Preserve. The property was owned by various logging companies, who harvested redwoods and tanbarks for decades. Big Sur Land Trust sold the property to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District who offered public access via their permit reservation system until the Sobranes Fire in 2016, which caused road closures and extensive damage.

San Carlos Beach Park

In 1987, Big Sur Land Trust purchased and transferred 3 acres of land to the City of Monterey to create what is now known as San Carlos Beach Park, adjacent to the jetty and harbor. It is a popular destination for SCUBA divers, who know the site as "Breakwater", in addition to the many visitors who pass through the park while on the scenic Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Photo credit: californiabeaches.com.

Stoddard

This 1-acre parcel on Palo Colorado Road was donated to Big Sur Land Trust in 1988. The property was sold in 2011 to an adjacent landowner after it was determined the parcel held minimal conservation value or benefit.

Whisler

This 40-acre property along San Jose Creek was protected via a voluntary land conservation agreement held by Big Sur Land Trust from 1988 to 1993. This key property, near Monastery Beach and the Carmelite Monastery, is at the mouth of the San Jose Creek watershed. The agreement was extinguished when the property was acquired by State Parks as part of Point Lobos Ranch.

Garland Ranch Additions

Big Sur Land Trust purchased and transferred several properties to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District that became part of Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley. These projects include the Griffin (1988) Condon/Veeder (1996) and Moo (2006) acquisitions and totaled 128 acres. Garland Ranch Regional Park, now over 4,000 acres, is a beloved public park providing access to thousands of visitors per year. Photo credit: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sand City Parcels

Big Sur Land Trust acquired 19 small parcels in Sand City between 1989 and 2008 via purchase and donation. The parcels total less than 4 acres but the land, on the west side of Highway 1, was private and developable. Big Sur Land Trust transferred the parcels to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and State Parks to ensure permanent protection of this important dune habitat. Photo credit: californiabeaches.com.

Marina Dunes Preserve

Big Sur Land Trust purchased two parcels of critical coastal sand dune habitat in 1989 and 2000 that were slated for development. One parcel was first transferred to State Parks, then both parcels were transferred to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and it is now known as Marina Dunes Preserve, which is open to the public. Photo credit: Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.

Point Lobos Ranch

Big Sur Land Trust acquired this 1,312-acre property across from Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in 1993 and over a 10-year period transferred it to California State Parks. Point Lobos Ranch, as it was then called, was threatened with an extensive conference center and condominium development that would have compromised the Reserve’s serene setting and rich natural resources. Point Lobos Ranch includes about 2.5 miles of San Jose Creek, which provides habitat for threatened steelhead trout. The creek winds through a deep canyon where pink rhododendrons grow in the deep shade of the redwood forest. In 2021, the California Parks and Recreation Commission approved classifying and naming this property Ishxenta State Park (pronounced Eesh-henta), an indigenous name given to the Point Lobos area by the Rumsen people who lived in this region for millennia prior to the arrival of the Spanish and Americans.

Zmudowski Beach

This 1-acre parcel in Moss Landing was purchased in 1996 and transferred to State Parks as an addition to Zmudowski State Beach.

Cominos

In 1996 Big Sur Land Trust accepted a donation of 30 acres of land in Big Sur from a local family. Big Sur Land Trust protected the property with a voluntary land conservation agreement before transferring the land to the Fish Ranch Trust. This property is now part of Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve, owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and permanently protected as open space.

Big Creek Reserve Addition (Prentiss)

In 1997, Big Sur Land Trust purchased 480 acres in Big Sur and subsequently donated it to UC Regents as an addition to Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve. This acquisition had tremendous local support and prevented a previously proposed development. The property includes the upper reaches of three watersheds (Big Creek, Rat Creek and Dolan Creek) as well as steep rugged slopes, stands of redwoods, grasslands and coastal scrub. The Reserve is utilized by scientists and students from around the world. Photo credit: UC Natural Reserve System.

El Sur Ranch

The El Sur Ranch, located on the Big Sur coast, has been continuously operated as a cattle ranch since 1834. In 1997, Big Sur Land Trust facilitated negotiations and cemented the conservation of 3,252 acres of the historic property using Proposition 70 funding. A voluntary land conservation agreement, held by Monterey County, ensures the coastal slopes of this land will never be developed. Photo credit: El Sur Ranch.

Long Valley

In 1998, Big Sur Land Trust purchased over 400 acres of land in Castroville just east of Elkhorn Slough. It was transferred to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to own and manage in 1999. The property contains grassland, maritime chaparral, coast live oak woodland, coastal scrub and freshwater wetlands that conserve an important part of the Elkhorn Slough watershed.

Andrew Molera State Park Addition (Kent)

Big Sur Land Trust purchased 17 acres adjacent to Andrew Molera State Park in 1998 and 1999. The land was then transferred to State Parks and added to the larger park. Andrew Molera State Park offers hiking, camping, beach access and spectacular views. Photo credit: State Parks.

Prop 70 Projects

Big Sur Land Trust acquired 16 properties in Big Sur in the 1990's using Proposition 70 funding. These properties, totaling over 200 acres, were transferred to Monterey County and the US Forest Service to own and manage for the long term. The two parcels shown here in orange were acquired in 1990 (Perrine property, 5 acres, left) and 1996 (Falotico property, 3 acres, right) and are adjacent to Los Padres National Forest land near Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. Photo credit: Copyright © 2002-2019 Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman, California Coastal Records Project.

Patterson Ranches

Big Sur Land Trust purchased 688 acres on the Big Sur coast in several transactions between 1997 and 1999. The properties were sold to a conservation buyer, who agreed not to develop the land, and Big Sur Land Trust recorded voluntary land conservation agreements to ensure permanent protection.

Ewoldsen

This 30-acre property was purchased in 1999 by Big Sur Land Trust, transferred to the US Forest Service and added to Los Padres National Forest. The property contains a section of Pheneger Creek as well as old growth redwoods and had been owned by the Ewoldsen/Pfeiffer family since 1888. Photo credit: Brian Lopez, Wikimedia.

Little Horse Ranch/Murphy

In 2000, Big Sur Land Trust accepted a donation of 1,203 acres of land in Big Sur from a local family. Big Sur Land Trust protected the property with a voluntary land conservation agreement before transferring the land to the Fish Ranch Trust. This property is now part of Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve, owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and permanently protected as open space.

Sakasegawa

Big Sur Land Trust purchased this 16-acre property in the Carmel Highlands in 2000. It's adjacent to Point Lobos Ranch to the north and Whisler-Wilson Ranch to the east, and was transferred to State Parks in 2002.

Flavin

Big Sur Land Trust acquired this nearly 600-acre property in Carmel Valley on the Carmel River off Cachagua Road in 2002, then transferred ownership to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, who also owns the adjacent Cachagua Community Park. Photo credit: David.c.stone, Wikimedia.

Palo Corona Regional Park and Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve

In 2002, the nearly 10,000-acre Palo Corona Ranch was purchased after an eight year effort by Big Sur Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy, working in partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and other public agencies. The northern 4,350 acres of the former ranch property was transferred to the MPRPD to create Palo Corona Regional Park. CDFW added the southern 5,500 acres of the former ranch to its existing 640-acre Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve. 

Whitney

This Big Sur parcel and residence was bequeathed to Big Sur Land Trust as part of an estate in 2005. This property was subsequently sold and the proceeds were used by Big Sur Land Trust to fund stewardship and conservation in Big Sur, in alignment with the donor's wishes.

Marks Ranch

Most of the 816-acre ranch that Big Sur Land Trust purchased in 2007 was transferred to Monterey County Parks to be managed as part of Toro County Park. Big Sur Land Trust maintains ownership of the remaining 79 acres, which includes an historic hacienda and ornamental garden with rare palms and cactus where the Marks family once lived. Since 2015, Big Sur Land Trust outdoor youth day camps have been held here, providing youngsters inspirational time in open spaces. This property is one of our six key preserves, where we offer managed public access through hikes, events and outdoor youth programming.

Dorrance Ranch

Big Sur Land Trust entered into formal agreement with The Nature Conservancy in 2007 to assist with fundraising to permanently protect this 4,300 acre historic cattle ranch. The Dorrance Ranch spans the watershed divide between the Carmel and Salinas Rivers and provides the scenic backdrop to much of northern Monterey County along the slopes of Mount Toro. The property includes oak woodlands and savannas, annual and perennial grasslands, mixed woodlands, riparian corridors, mixed riparian forests, and high quality aquatic communities.  

Horse Pasture (Beck)

The Wilderness Land Trust purchased this in-holding, 160 acres, in 2007 and transferred it to the US Forest Service. Big Sur Land Trust assisted with this acquisition project by providing funding towards the purchase.

Ehniz Trail Easement

Big Sur Land Trust acquired this trail easement in 2009 and then transferred it to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. The easement is 15 feet wide and 1,300 feet in length and provides legal public access to Garland Ranch Regional Park for equestrians who have used the route since at least 1931. Photo credit: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Whisler-Wilson Ranch

The property known formerly as the Whisler-Wilson Ranch is a 317-acre parcel that belonged to descendants of the A.M. Allan family. Mr. Allan is credited with originally saving Point Lobos from development in the late 1800s. It is located south of Carmel and inland of Highway One, across from Monastery Beach and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Big Sur Land Trust acquired the property from the Whisler and Wilson Family Trusts in 2010 and transferred the entire property to the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District in 2015 as an addition to Palo Corona Regional Park. The property offers stunning “top of the world” views of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel River State Beach, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as well as inland views of Palo Corona Regional Park, Jacks Peak, Carmel Valley and the mountain ranges beyond.

Southbank Trail

Big Sur Land Trust acquired land and multiple trail easements in Carmel Valley to create the Southbank Trail starting in 2011. This 1.5 mile long pedestrian and bicycle path is located on the south side of the Carmel River between Quail Lodge and Palo Corona Regional Park. Big Sur Land Trust still owns the land and holds the trail easements. The trail is maintained by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.

Kopp

This 6-acre property on the west side of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast was donated to Big Sur Land Trust. In 2017, the steep slopes at Mud Creek on the east side of the highway suffered a catastrophic collapse and landslide, destroying a portion of the highway and covering this property. Big Sur Land Trust transferred the land to CalTrans in 2022.