The Gaviota Coast Conservancy recently acquired the historic 3,272-acre Rancho Tajiguas property, the largest continuous property on the Gaviota Coast between Gaviota State Park and Isla Vista.

Doug Kern, executive director of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, said they want to eventually open the property to the public while keeping it a functioning ranch and protecting wildlife.

The property is home to wildlife such as black bears and mountain lions. Tajiguas Creek runs through the middle of the property, which Kern said needs restoration for endangered steelhead fish and salmon. 

“It’s really got everything you would want in a property to be conserved for open space and for future generations,” Kern said. 

The site is a historic agricultural property going back to 1790 with avocados and persimmons the primary crops.

“The property is in very good condition, although it’s down from the considerable amount of agriculture that had been in place up until the Alisal Fire that destroyed quite a good amount of the avocado orchards that were there,” Kern said. 

The conservancy is working to raise money to restore the orchards lost in the 2021 Alisal Fire and to pay for maintenance and a small crew that is working on the ranch.

Kern said it will be some time before the property is open to the public because they want to make sure the ranch is self-sustaining through agriculture, repair infrastructure burned in the fire, and acquire property and fire insurance.

“At some level, we absolutely want to have public access,” Kern said. “We want to keep the agriculture going so it’s a sustainable ranch, and then restore the habitat and enhance the habitat for wildlife.”

The GCC closed on the property in September and will have more information in the new year about its plans for the property and how the public can get involved.