Stretch of California Coast Public Again After a Century

Visitors to California’s North Coast now have access to a breathtaking stretch of shoreline that had been closed to the public for more than a century. The Estero Americano Coast Preserve, a 547-acre property along the Marin–Sonoma county line, is officially open for public use every day from sunrise to sunset.

The land, formerly a working ranch, remained privately owned for generations until it was purchased in 2015 for $3.8 million by the nonprofit Wildlands Conservancy. The acquisition was supported by state agencies, land trusts, foundations, and individual donors, according to Smithsonian. Since then, crews have built roughly five miles of trails, restored sensitive ecosystems, and installed basic amenities such as restrooms.

Located south of Bodega Bay and west of Valley Ford, the preserve can be accessed on foot through a gate at the Shorttail Gulch Trailhead, a short drive off Highway 1, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Conservation organizations say the area provides critical habitat for several vulnerable species, including threatened central California coast steelhead, the endangered tidewater goby, and the threatened California red-legged frog. The preserve also features vibrant spring wildflowers and a diverse landscape of tidal marshes, eelgrass beds, mudflats, and open water.

“Our team is very excited that the public is finally able to access this remarkable part of the Sonoma Coast,” said Luke Farmer, regional director for the Wildlands Conservancy’s Sonoma Coast program. A 1.6-mile trail descends to a beach below coastal bluffs, while a 1.9-mile route climbs to the preserve’s highest point, offering sweeping views that can reach Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands on clear days. SFGate describes the scenery as “jaw-dropping.”

Visitors can hike, kayak, picnic, birdwatch, walk leashed dogs, and spot migrating whales during the appropriate season. Biking, horseback riding, and camping are not permitted, and drinking water is not yet available on site.

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