Johnston Ranch
Managed by: Historic house managed by Johnston House Foundation. Surrounding land managed by POST.
Location: Just south of downtown Half Moon Bay off Highway 1
Hours: Historic house open the third Saturday of each month (except Oct., Nov. and Dec.) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fees: None
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Things to See and Do: Johnston Ranch is a bountiful mix of coastal hills, grassland and fertile soils farmed for more than 150 years. Acquired by POST in two phases in 1999 and 2001, the ranch was originally slated for a golf course and high-end condominiums.
The historic James Johnston House lies on a 20-acre inholding owned by the city of Half Moon Bay. The gleaming white "saltbox" house was built in 1855 and rebuilt, board by board, by community volunteers in 1998. Currently being refurbished, it's a rare example of New England-style architecture on the West Coast.
Keep Your Eyes Open For: Picnic tables next to the house and by the parking lot, with views of farm fields and surrounding hills.
Directions: From I-280 take Highway 92 west to Half Moon Bay. Turn left on main St. At Higgins Canyon (also known as Higgins Purisima) Rd., turn left and proceed 0.25 mile to the parking lot on the right.