Coast Dairies, Nature reserve in Santa Cruz County, US.
Coast Dairies spreads across roughly 5,800 acres (2,300 hectares) of coastal land in Santa Cruz County with maritime forest, grassland, and about 7 miles (11 kilometers) of Pacific shoreline. The property combines different habitats within one continuous protected zone that extends down to the bluffs.
This land operated as dairy farms for many decades before The Trust for Public Land purchased it in 1998 to stop development. That purchase transformed the coastline into a protected public space instead of a private commercial area.
This land held deep significance for the Cotoni people, an Indigenous group of the Ohlone cultural sphere, who left behind several archaeological sites. Visitors can sense the connection between the original inhabitants and this coastal landscape.
You can reach several beaches including Sharktooth, Bonny Doon, and Panther by walking the California Coastal Trail along the bluffs. Wear sturdy shoes as the paths change depending on the season and ground conditions vary throughout the area.
The protected area maintains working agricultural zones while also functioning as part of the California Coastal National Monument. This dual role is uncommon and shows how farming and conservation can coexist in the same place.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
