Golden Gate National Recreation Area Now Includes San Mateo Coast Tract

The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) today announced the imminent transfer of more than 4,000 acres of land near Montara that will become the new southernmost entrance for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

This week, Congress approved $4 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for the permanent protection of Rancho Corral de Tierra, a property that includes the majority of a 1839 Mexican Land Grant held by Guerrero y Palomares.  The first adobe ever built on the San Mateo Coast, at Denniston Creek, was located on Polomares' property.

“Rancho Corral de Tierra is a spectacular piece of wild coastal land right in our urban backyard,” said POST President Audrey C. Rust. “This property has everything you could ask for — dramatic mountain terrain, sweeping coastal views, rare and endangered plants and wildlife, critical watersheds, miles of trails. This landscape is of national as well as local significance and will serve as a lasting natural and recreational resource for everyone in the Bay Area.”

Adjoining Rancho Corral de Tierra with the GGNRA will help connect the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the California Coastal Trail. According to POST, preserving the land protects four coast side watersheds - Denniston, San Vicente, Montara and Martini creeks - and maintains habitat for unique and endangered plants and animals, including Montara manzanita, peregrine falcons, Hickman's cinquefoil, the San Bruno elfin butterfly, and the California red-legged frog.

Also included on the property is 1,898 ft Montara mountain, from which a climber to the top has spectacular, sweeping views of the ocean, often standing above the coastal fog.

“The protection of Rancho Corral de Tierra is a perfect illustration of how POST works and what we can accomplish,” said Rust. “POST was able to acquire the land and hold onto it for 10 years until we could find the right partners and achieve the best scenario for permanent protection of this landmark property. The only way to do this kind of project is to attract funding that allows us to stick with something for that long. Our remarkably loyal and generous donors are the ones who make that possible."

According to their website, POST has been responsible for saving at least 64,000 acres as permanent open space and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties since its founding in 1977.