The Santa Rita Ranch is a 1,715-acre preserve owned and managed by The Land Conservancy. This ranch is located in the heart of the Adelaide region of the southern Santa Lucia Range.

Santa Rita Ranch is home to the 234-acre-foot Hartzell Reservoir, the fourth largest privately owned reservoir in San Luis Obispo County. The property hosts a diversity of habitats, from valley oak and bay laurel forests to serpentine grasslands. A variety of rare and endemic plants can be found on the property, including Bishop manzanita, club-haired mariposa lily, and Palmer’s spineflower.

The ranch also provides a critical wildlife corridor for a diverse population of fauna. American black bears, gray foxes, bobcats, and American badgers have been observed on wildlife cameras at the ranch. Check out Learning Among the Oaks’ Wildlife Camera Project to view wildlife photos from Santa Rita Ranch.

The ranch currently has limited community access through Land Conservancy guided member hikes, Central Coast Trail Rides, and various research projects. Become a member today with a donation of any amount!