The Richmond Ranch property in Santa Clara County, featuring sprawling foothills, grassy meadows, and forested canyons, is set to undergo a significant transformation into a major nature preserve. Located at the convergence of the Diablo and Santa Cruz mountains, this 3,654-acre ranch near San Jose will not only offer new hiking trails but also serve as a crucial link along the expansive Bay Area Ridge Trail.
On Monday afternoon, the Conservation Fund, a national environmental nonprofit, finalized a $16 million deal to acquire the Richmond Ranch from Chinese corporation Z&L Properties. Z&L had purchased the site from a generational cattle family in 2016, leaving the land largely untouched.
While Z&L Properties had initially disappointed South Bay conservationists with its $25 million purchase in 2016, a recent shift in the company’s strategy to offload holdings in San Francisco and San Jose opened an opportunity for conservationists. A failed attempt to sell the ranch to Terrascape Ventures paved the way for the Conservation Fund to step in.
Eric Ross, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation senior real estate agent, expressed excitement about the unexpected opportunity, highlighting the deal’s favorable pricing compared to the appraised value.
The Richmond Ranch property, a critical habitat for Tule elk and various other wildlife, will eventually be transferred to Santa Clara County. The long-term vision involves converting it into a nature preserve with hiking trails, jointly managed by the parks department and the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved the notice of intent to buy the ranch on Tuesday, marking the initial step in the formal acquisition process, which could take up to a year.
Although opening the area to public access is expected to take time, the prospect of introducing the property to the public aligns with the Conservation Fund’s mission to create a valuable space for outdoor enthusiasts.
The 100-year-old ranch’s diverse landscape, featuring foothills, meadows, and canyons at the convergence of the Diablo and Santa Cruz mountains, is strategically positioned along the route of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This 550-mile trail, mostly complete, is being pieced together to form a comprehensive thru-hiking path encircling the entire region.
Moreover, the property borders the newly opened Máyyan ‘Ooyákma Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve, playing a crucial role as a habitat for various wildlife, including pumas, Tule elk, wild boar, badger, gray fox, bobcat, and turkey. Conservation Fund project manager Dan Medeiros emphasized the significance of securing a wildlife corridor in this area, stating, “It’s not every day the county gets a bargain like this for public access.”
From the summit of Mount Misery on the property, one can enjoy magnificent views of downtown San Jose and the bay’s expansive waters. Ross anticipates that once trails are established, the Richmond Ranch will become an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts.