Hollister Ranch
Encyclopedia
The region presently known as the Hollister Ranch is defined by 14400 acres (58.3 km²) of fallow and fertile fields, mountains and valleys along the Pacific Ocean
of California
between Gaviota State Park
and Point Conception
. It was the site of some of the oldest known human settlements in the new world, the last "native" population of which was the Chumash. It became part of the extensive Spanish land grant known as Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio, operated by the family of José Francisco Ortega
from 1794.
The land was purchased by William Welles Hollister
after the Civil War as part of a large acquisition, the center of which was at Glen Annie, Tecolotito canyon.
having shipped over 1500000 pounds (680,388.6 kg) of beef in the summer of 2005. As a result of the Hollister Ranch Owners' Association CC&Rs, Santa Barbara County zoning and California's Agricultural Preserve Program, when fully built out, over 98% of the property will continue to be devoted to well managed and sensitive cattle grazing. Other benefits to Hollister Ranch owners as a result of the cattle operation include a reduced fuel load in the event of range fire and the tax benefits that result from adherence to the restrictions imposed by the Uniform Rules of the Agricultural Preserve. Relative to the land prices for parcels in Hollister Ranch, however, the cattle ranching is probably uneconomic, and may continue largely for the sake of tax breaks and aesthetic considerations.
Today recreational use of the beach and surrounding area is restricted to both the owners of the Hollister and Bixby Ranches, and the public, who access the area by foot along the beach and by boat in the offshore waters. California law allows public access to all land below the mean high tide line, and many surfers, divers, and fisherman access the State waters by boating along the shoreline of the coast from Gaviota to Jalama Beach Parks, mainly from Gaviota State Park.
In 2004, the National Park Service abandoned a proposal to designate parts of the Gaviota coastline, including the seashore in front of Hollister Ranch, as National Seashore. Local landowners, especially those in Hollister Ranch, mounted a lobbying campaign to oppose the study. The Hollister Ranch Owners' Association assessed its members at least $300,000 to hire a former congressman to lobby against the National Seashore proposal.
Previous projects proposed since the 1970s have included oil development, a nuclear power plant and high-density housing.
For over twenty years Santa Barbara area grade school children have been encouraged to participate (at no cost to the schools) in the Hollister Ranch Conservancy's "Tidepool Classroom" that preserves intertidal life forms not found elsewhere along the coast.
Hollister Ranch owners are currently restricted in terms of development in a situation that many say will result in efficient preservation of one of the last vestiges of the natural California coastline. In the view of Hollister Ranch property owners, they (private owners) are judged better stewards than regional public, state or national preservation projects.
, a clothing brand created by Abercrombie & Fitch
, purports to be the outcome of a surf shop founded by John J. Hollister on Hollister Ranch in 1922. Surfers in the Santa Barbara area know that this is incorrect, and merely a pleasant fiction created by the company's marketing program. There were few surfers at Hollister Ranch until the 1960s, and there has never been an (official) surf shop near there. Hollister Ranch is known and loved by recreational enthusiasts from around the world for it's good surf, fishing, and diving opportunities. Not unlike the Channel Islands National Park, with limited public access, hence reduced crowds and low environmental impacts, the area is generally called "the Ranch" by surfers, divers, and fisherman. Occasional prominent swells and good fishing seasons regularly inspire the public to both 'boat in' and walk from Gaviota State Park on the East and the Jalama County Park on the West to access the area's shoreline and offshore waters.
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
between Gaviota State Park
Gaviota State Park
Gaviota State Park is a California State Park located in southern Santa Barbara County, California, U.S., about 33 miles west of the city of Santa Barbara. It consists of 2,790 acres extending from the Pacific coast to the crest of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and is adjacent to Los Padres National...
and Point Conception
Point Conception
Point Conception is a headland along the Pacific coast of U.S. state of California, located in southwestern Santa Barbara County. It is the point where the Santa Barbara Channel meets the Pacific Ocean, and as the corner between the mostly north-south trending portion of coast to the north and the...
. It was the site of some of the oldest known human settlements in the new world, the last "native" population of which was the Chumash. It became part of the extensive Spanish land grant known as Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio, operated by the family of José Francisco Ortega
José Francisco Ortega
José Francisco Ortega was soldier and early settler of California.-Early life:Ortega was born in 1734 at Zelaya, Guanajuanto, Mexico, where he worked as a warehouse clerk. In 1755, he enlisted and served at the Presidio at Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto. In 1759 Ortega married María Antonia...
from 1794.
The land was purchased by William Welles Hollister
William Welles Hollister
William Welles Hollister was a Californian rancher and entrepreneur.-Ancestors and early life :William Welles Hollister, was born on Jan...
after the Civil War as part of a large acquisition, the center of which was at Glen Annie, Tecolotito canyon.
Cattle ranching history
A cattle ranch since the days of the Ortegas, Hollister Ranch is the fourth largest cattle ranch in Santa Barbara CountySanta Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
having shipped over 1500000 pounds (680,388.6 kg) of beef in the summer of 2005. As a result of the Hollister Ranch Owners' Association CC&Rs, Santa Barbara County zoning and California's Agricultural Preserve Program, when fully built out, over 98% of the property will continue to be devoted to well managed and sensitive cattle grazing. Other benefits to Hollister Ranch owners as a result of the cattle operation include a reduced fuel load in the event of range fire and the tax benefits that result from adherence to the restrictions imposed by the Uniform Rules of the Agricultural Preserve. Relative to the land prices for parcels in Hollister Ranch, however, the cattle ranching is probably uneconomic, and may continue largely for the sake of tax breaks and aesthetic considerations.
Recreational use
The Hollister family, previous owners of the property, allowed some recreational use of the area. In the late 1950s, they granted a pass to the regional Sportsman Hunting Club, which later split into several smaller clubs, including the Santa Barbara Surf Club. During over a decade of regular use, the Santa Barbara Surf Club discovered and named many surfing spots off the coast of 8 miles (13 km) of beach, such as Razor Blades, Drake's, Little Drake's, Utah, Rights and Lefts, St. Augustine, Lefts and Rights, and on the adjacent Bixby Ranch land, Cojo Point, Perko's Point, and Government Point.Today recreational use of the beach and surrounding area is restricted to both the owners of the Hollister and Bixby Ranches, and the public, who access the area by foot along the beach and by boat in the offshore waters. California law allows public access to all land below the mean high tide line, and many surfers, divers, and fisherman access the State waters by boating along the shoreline of the coast from Gaviota to Jalama Beach Parks, mainly from Gaviota State Park.
Development and environmental concerns
Many associated with the present Hollister Ranch see themselves as responsible stewards of the land, ardently claiming to have worked out a successful formula balancing ecological preservation with residential development which functions within both a working commercial agricultural operation and a healthy natural habitat with a wide range of flora and fauna. But non-owners argue that the owners' formula precludes the public access through and over their property to beaches, mandated by California state law, and that the Hollister Ranch Association beaches remain open to heavy vehicular traffic from registered beach going vehicles. In addition, non-owners argue that the working cattle operation is subsidized by the owners and exists primarily for tax-front purposes. Environmentalists note the potential impact such an operation could have on native flora and fauna. Thus, a sharp difference of opinion exists between Ranch owners and non-owners, some of whom view Ranch policies as exclusivist and disingenuous.In 2004, the National Park Service abandoned a proposal to designate parts of the Gaviota coastline, including the seashore in front of Hollister Ranch, as National Seashore. Local landowners, especially those in Hollister Ranch, mounted a lobbying campaign to oppose the study. The Hollister Ranch Owners' Association assessed its members at least $300,000 to hire a former congressman to lobby against the National Seashore proposal.
Previous projects proposed since the 1970s have included oil development, a nuclear power plant and high-density housing.
For over twenty years Santa Barbara area grade school children have been encouraged to participate (at no cost to the schools) in the Hollister Ranch Conservancy's "Tidepool Classroom" that preserves intertidal life forms not found elsewhere along the coast.
Hollister Ranch owners are currently restricted in terms of development in a situation that many say will result in efficient preservation of one of the last vestiges of the natural California coastline. In the view of Hollister Ranch property owners, they (private owners) are judged better stewards than regional public, state or national preservation projects.
Popular culture
Hollister Co.Hollister Co.
Hollister Co., sometimes advertised as Hollister or HCo., is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. The concept was originally designed to attract consumers aged 14–18 through its SoCal-inspired image and casual wear. Goods are available in-store and through the company's online store...
, a clothing brand created by Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch is an American retailer that focuses on casual wear for consumers aged 18 to 22. It has over 300 locations in the United States, and is expanding internationally....
, purports to be the outcome of a surf shop founded by John J. Hollister on Hollister Ranch in 1922. Surfers in the Santa Barbara area know that this is incorrect, and merely a pleasant fiction created by the company's marketing program. There were few surfers at Hollister Ranch until the 1960s, and there has never been an (official) surf shop near there. Hollister Ranch is known and loved by recreational enthusiasts from around the world for it's good surf, fishing, and diving opportunities. Not unlike the Channel Islands National Park, with limited public access, hence reduced crowds and low environmental impacts, the area is generally called "the Ranch" by surfers, divers, and fisherman. Occasional prominent swells and good fishing seasons regularly inspire the public to both 'boat in' and walk from Gaviota State Park on the East and the Jalama County Park on the West to access the area's shoreline and offshore waters.
External links
- Information about the history of the Ranch.
- History of surfing at the ranch
- Photos of the Hollister Ranch coastline from the California Coastal Records ProjectCalifornia Coastal Records ProjectThe California Coastal Records Project documents the California coastline with aerial photos taken from a helicopter flying parallel to the shore. Their webpage provides access to these images....
- Information about the Ranch
- Hollister Ranch Artists
- Hollister Ranch Maps
- Hollister Ranch Real Estate