The Land
In the early 1990’s, a proposed development threatened public access of the Estero Bluffs open space and natural coastline north of Cayucos. The citizens, led by the founders of CLC, challenged the development. As a result of the community’s efforts, the Trust for Public Land acquired the property in 1998, granted fee ownership to California State Parks and a perpetual conservation easement to the newly formed Cayucos Land Conservancy.
This partnership has allowed a community-led group to be an active partner in managing Estero Bluffs State Park, which then led to other cooperative efforts. Since, CLC has acquired an easement on the San Geronimo Ranch, the backdrop to Estero Bluffs and continues to purchase or accept donations of hillside lots east of town.
In order to be good stewards of these properties, CLC meets quarterly with State Park representatives to discuss management issues and has instituted several stewardship projects including guided walks, volunteer work days, and yearly monitoring.
Toro Coast Preserve
The Toro Coast Preserve (TCP) is an ambitious and complicated 3-phase effort to purchase and conserve nearly 2,000 acres of Chevron property between and behind Cayucos and Morro Bay. The goals of the project are:
- Preserve open space between Cayucos and Morro Bay
- Preserve the spectacular rural views from Hwy 1 and the beach
- Preserve public access to "dog beach" and have it remain a dog friendly beach
- Provide land for the California Coastal Trail from Studio Drive to north Morro Bay
- Protect environmental resources in Toro Creek as well as hundreds of acres of grasslands.
COMPLETED: Phase 1 Includes (In yellow in the map above) 350 acres which was purchased from Chevron and the Cayucos Sanitary District. As you can see from the map, this large property abuts the southern boundary of Cayucos both east and west of Highway 1. This property and the Estero Bluffs State Park to the north of Cayucos, serve as cornerstones of the greenbelt around Cayucos. When escrow closed in 2022 Phase 1 immediately became a San Luis Obispo County Park.
County Parks continues to graze the inland portion and leases the existing residence. County Parks and the City of Morro Bay provide public access to the beachside 10 acres and maintain it as a dog-friendly beach.
Phase 2 is underway and is expected to close late this summer. To learn more about Phases 2 and 3 (in orange and blue on the map), and to support Phase 2, please read our ongoing Toro Coast Preserve Updates.
Estero Bluffs State Park
The Estero Bluffs, a four-mile coastal plain north of Cayucos, is the centerpiece of the Cayucos Land Conservancy efforts. CLC’s conservation easement is designed to preserve these bluffs as the way they were in 2002. Although State Parks holds the fee title, the easement empowers CLC to participate in management of the Bluffs, enforce the easement, and concur in all management decisions.
San Geronimo Ranch
San Geronimo Ranch, a 900-acre working cattle ranch, is a key components of the greenbelt that surrounds Cayucos, and lies north of town directly across from the Estero Bluffs. The voluntary agreement, entered into with the owner, ensures that this area will remain a working ranch and open space, with its classic California ranch headquarters. It also provides the opportunity to restore and protect the riparian area which flows through the heart of the property. The Ranch, along with the Bluffs, is the dominant northern backdrop to Cayucos on Highway 1.
Hillside Lots & Land Acquisition
In the late 1920’s two subdivisions were established on the hillside directly above Cayucos, creating 1,640 paper lots. One of the Cayucos Land Conservancy's goals is to acquire lots from willing owners to preserve these hills as part of the greenbelt. Some lots are donated by owners, others are purchased. In addition, generous grants have allowed us to continue this ongoing project and we presently own nearly 25% of the hillside lots.
CLC is an all volunteer organization dependent upon funds received from membership dues and grants, and therefore has a limited budget with which to purchase these lots. However, we are a 501©(3) public benefit corporation, so a donation or sale to CLC at less than fair market value could provide a substantial deduction to the donor on state and federal income tax returns. Please contact us if you would like to discuss a lot transaction.
Harmony Headlands
Harmony Headlands State Park Located approximately 5 miles north of Cayucos, between Highway 1 and the Pacific, Harmony Headlands was purchased by the State in 2002. Beginning in 2007, CLC partnered with local State Park staff to provide parking, communication and a volunteer program at the park. Thanks to the generosity of the Hind Foundation and Negranti Construction, the park opened to the public in Fall of 2008.
The trail through Harmony Headlands provides an easy hike to the coast, less than 2 miles and fairly level, the only public access to the coast between Cayucos and Cambria. The 700-acre park is open daily, from 6am to sunset. Per State Parks rules and regulations dogs, horses, bicycles and camping are not allowed in the park.
