Discover 19 Miles of Stunning Oceanfront Hiking Trails in California’s New National Monument

Introduction to Cotoni-Coast Dairies

Santa Cruz, California is getting a new national monument, significantly attributed to former President Obama’s passion for a historic dairy farm, alongside the dedication of numerous volunteers.

Expansion of California Coastal National Monument

Cotoni-Coast Dairies, a federally owned property named after the Indigenous Cotoni nation, located eight miles north of Santa Cruz, will soon be open to visitors as part of an expansion of the existing California Coastal National Monument, which Obama helped preserve just eight days before leaving office.

Trail Development Plans

As explained by Sempervirens Fund, an organization committed to preserving the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Obama included the Cotoni-Coast Dairies property in the California Coastal National Monument proclamation in 2017. “In signing the monument proclamation, Obama endowed the landscape with special conservation status and brought presidential recognition to its incredible ecological, cultural, and historic values,” the organization states on its website. “Without this monument designation, the landscape might never be available for the public to enjoy or restored to its full ecological richness.”

According to the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, which is involved in planning and constructing trails throughout the preserved land, the goal is to have the first trails accessible to hikers by the end of 2022. However, the group recognizes that “a lot of our development relies on us fundraising for the project. We’re about halfway to our goal of $2.7 million for all Cotoni-Coast Dairies trails.” Ultimately, they aim to establish 19 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ADA accessibility.

Other Protected Areas

Furthermore, the ranch is not the sole component of this expansion. Five additional areas have also been officially designated as protected spaces due to Obama’s decree, including Trinidad Head, the Lost Coast Headlands, Waluplh-Lighthouse Ranch (located near Eureka), Piedras Blancas (near San Simeon), and the Orange County Rocks and Islands.

Community Involvement

“The long and winding path to this destination has been arduous, and it has been worth the journey,” Sempervirens Fund noted on its website. “Thousands of community members, business leaders, and local government representatives made this possible. We thank each and every one of you who wrote a letter, made a call, sent an email, attended a meeting, or supported this campaign in any manner. Cotoni-Coast Dairies will protect spectacular and essential natural and cultural resources in Santa Cruz County forever.”

To expedite the project, those interested can check for updates and consider making donations to support the trail construction efforts here.