Golden Hills
Showing 1–12 of 42 results
Dean’s Hill
MARTY RANCH Meacham Hill, California
Dean Marty’s 223 acre cattle ranch on Meacham Hill sits in a prominent location along one-half mile of Highway 101 between the cities of Petaluma and Cotati. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District protected this scenic “Community Separator” property through a perpetual conservation easement in 1992. It was the first transaction carried out by the District. Thousands of highway travelers pass this beautiful grassy property day. From its rock addled summit, 360 scenic views of the surrounding countryside abound.
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District was formed in 1990 by a vote of the people of Sonoma County to help halt the growing loss of farmland and natural scenic landscapes in the County. By the end of 1998 the District had protected over 11 properties totaling 28,000 acres. For more information contact the District at (707) 524-7360
Duck’s Head Estero Americano
Duck’s Head, Estero Americano
Sonoma Land Trust’s 127 acre Estero Americano Preserve, along the Pacific Flyway, is considered one of the most important areas along the Northern California coast. The Preserve’s fjord-like slopes and fragile wetlands host abundant wildlife: bat rays forage the mud flats as eagles and hawks hunt the brushy uplands. The Land Trust purchased 87 acres in 1996 with funding assistance from the California State Coastal Conservancy and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and added another 40 acres in 2001. Our land stewardship provides for both carefully managed traditional grazing and ecological restoration of the land.
Estero Americano Fog
South of Bodega Bay, the Estero Americano separates Sonoma County from Marin County running several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean to Stemple Creek near Fallon. Rolling grassy hills and rock outcroppings border the Estero, which is part of a national marine sanctuary. This agricultural area is also a favorite of birder and nature lovers. In 1997, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, in cooperation with the Sonoma Land Trust and the California Coastal Conservancy protected the 87 acre Hepper property along this scenic waterway. On the Marin side, the Marin agricultural Land Trust has protected several agricultural properties.
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District was formed in 1990 by a vote of the people of Sonoma County to help halt the growing loss of farmland and natural scenic landscapes in the County. By the end of 1998 the District had protected over 11 properties totaling 28,000 acres. For more information contact the District at (707) 524-7360
Fall, Alexander Valley, Digger’s Bend
HEALDSBURG RIDGE ‘Diggers Bend’ Healdsburg, California
The Healdsburg Ridge lands are made up of the Fox, Callahan and former Healdsburg Ridge properties to the east of the city of Healdsburg. The ridge is adjacent to ‘Diggers Bend’ on the Russian River and is framed to the south by Fitch Mountain. Views of Healdsburg and Mount St. Helena are also laid out for local visitors who enjoy hiking or sightseeing on the ridgetop. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District acquired conservation easements on Healdsburg Ridge and Fitch Mountain between 1994 to 1996. Future plans call for the creation of a nature preserve on the Callahan property when it is transferred to the city of Healdsburg.
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District was formed in 1990 by a vote of the people of Sonoma County to help halt the growing loss of farmland and natural scenic landscapes in the County. By the end of 1998 the District had protected over 11 properties totaling 28,000 acres. For more information contact the District at (707) 524-7360
Farallons Main Top from Lighthouse Hill
The Farallones are a small chain of granitic isles lying 25 miles due west of the Golden Gate. Perched on the brink of a steep undersea escarpment, these islands provide a vital marine refuge where the deep pelagic ocean meets shallower waters of the Continental Shelf. Fed by oceanic upwelling and the plume from San Francisco Bay, this is one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. Hundred’s of thousands of sea birds ~ numbers found nowhere else along the coast ~ form breeding colonies alongside thousands of seals and sea lions.
Biologists from Point Reyes Observatory have studied and protected these islands and their wildlife since 1968, providing year-round vigilance and stewardship under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service PRBO is a non-profit organization that relies on individual contributions to help protect the unique natural treasures of the Farallones. PRBO, Stinson Beach, CA 94970
Fitch Mountain from Weston Ranch
WESTON RANCH Healdsburg, California
The Weston Ranch is a spectacular 1,160 acre ranch across the Russian River from Fitch Mountain and the City of Healdsburg. From its ridgeline locations it commands 360 views including Fitch Mountain to the west, Alexander Valley to the north, the entire Santa Rosa Plain to the southwest and eastward to Mount St. Helena. The Weston family entered a perpetual conservation easement agreement with The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District in 1996 to protect the property’s outstanding natural landscapes and its continuing agricultural uses.
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District was formed in 1990 by a vote of the people of Sonoma County to help halt the growing loss of farmland and natural scenic landscapes in the County. By the end of 1998 the District had protected over 11 properties totaling 28,000 acres. For more information contact the District at (707) 524-7360