Loma Prieta Ranch
493-Acre Santa Cruz Mountains Acquisition by POST Will Expand South Bay Wilderness

Fall, 1999

MENLO PARK, CA – POST has purchased Loma Prieta Ranch, an exceptionally diverse 493-acre property in the Santa Cruz Mountains located between Loma Prieta Avenue and Highland Way, for $1 million. The newly-acquired open space furthers the goal of linking the 14,000-acre Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve to the north with the Sequel Demonstration State Forest and the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park to the south, and adds to an expanding network of open lands in the crowded South Bay.

The property potentially links existing hiking trails, and following its transfer to public ownership, will make a unique hiking corridor from San Jose to the Pacific Ocean one step closer to realization.

"Though it's just minutes from the city of San Jose, Loma Prieta Ranch is surrounded by large blocks of already-protected land and has an exceptionally wild and remote feel to it," said Audrey Rust, President of the Peninsula Open Space Trust. "It's an important part of our ongoing efforts to protect valuable lands on the Peninsula."

POST's newest purchase exhibits an exceptionally diverse biology. Forty acres of hills feature an undisturbed mix of California chaparral and knobcone pine. A grassy plateau in the center of the`property provides a dramatic overlook of Monterey Bay. At the lower elevations, 50 acres of redwoods flourish along the riparian corridor of Sequel Creek, where tree-shaded pools, runs and riffles provide important spawning habitat for Steelhead Trout, officially listed by the federal government as a threatened species.

"I'm delighted to have this ranch saved as open space," said Chop Keenan, previous owner of Loma Prieta Ranch. "It's great to know it will be hiked and enjoyed by the public."

POST is hoping that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, its partner in many important land purchases over the past 20 years, will obtain state funds to acquire the property from POST. It is anticipated that the newly-protected land will eventually become part of either Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, or the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.