Midpen partnered with the City of Half Moon Bay and the nonprofit Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to continue protecting the Johnston Ranch property, on the south edge of Half Moon Bay, as open space and farmland. The 868-acre property, once slated for a golf course, was originally protected by POST. The City of Half Moon Bay owns the historic Johnston House located on the property.
In May of 2024, Midpen finalized the purchase of a 644-acre portion of the undeveloped uplands area of the property for $4.8 million from the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). Read the press release here. POST has retained ownership of 224 acres containing prime agricultural land for future sale to a farmer, permanently protected from future development by a conservation easement. The City of Half Moon Bay continues to own the historic Johnston House, located on the property.
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Highlights
Midpen's purchase of the Johnston Ranch uplands continues to protect 1.2 miles of Arroyo Leon creek (tributary to Pilarcitos Creek) that provides potential spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead trout. The purchase also provides opportunities for new community connections to nearby nature by expanding and connecting local trail systems. The City of Half Moon Bay is working on a pedestrian/bike trail that connects nearby Higgins Canyon Rd. to downtown.
Future opportunities, that would require a public process and environmental review, include:
- Easy-access loop trail near the Johnston House.
- Access into Midpen’s existing and adjacent Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve, which currently has no public access due to geographic isolation.
- Connections to existing trails in adjacent Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park.
Photos of the Johnston Ranch Property
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