Estero Americano Coast Preserve
| Estero Americano Coast Preserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Estero Americano mouth | |
  Location of Estero Americano Coast Preserve | |
| Location | Sonoma County, California |
| Nearest city | Bodega Bay, California |
| Coordinates | 38°18′14″N 123°00′25″W / 38.30399°N 123.00684°W |
| Area | 547 acres (221 ha) |
| Max. elevation | 600 feet (180 m) |
| Min. elevation | 0 feet (0 m) |
| Created | 2016 |
| Operator | The Wildlands Conservancy |
| Website | Estero Americano Coast Preserve Page |
Estero Americano Coast Preserve is a nature preserve owned and managed by The Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land conservancy. Located along the Pacific Ocean and the Estero Americano Estuary in Sonoma County, California, the preserve offers scenic views of the estuary's mouth and surrounding hills. The preserve is part of the organization's collection of natural lands; more preserves can be found in the list of preserves.
Recreation
The preserve has hiking trails and restrooms.
Geography
The preserve includes coastal prairie, rolling grasslands, and blufftop terraces with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. It protects habitat near the mouth of the Estero Americano estuary, an area known for its seasonal wetlands, tidal marshes, and native plant communities. The estuary is part of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, one of the most biologically productive marine regions on the West Coast.
History
Several conservation groups collaborated on purchasing Estero Ranch. [1] [2] There has been active land preservation along the Sonoma Coast over the years. [3] Sonoma County supervisors approved updated coastal protections. [4]
In November 2024, the California Coastal Commission approved a plan by the Wildlands Conservancy to improve public access to the Estero Americano Coast Preserve. The proposal was part of a broader amendment to Sonoma County's coastal land use policies. Supporting documentation was included in the commission’s meeting exhibits, with technical detail in a referenced PDF.[5][6]
The preserve opened to the public for weekend access beginning in July 2025.[7]
See also
- List of The Wildlands Conservancy preserves
- Jenner Headlands Preserve
- Estero Americano State Marine Recreational Management Area
References
- ^ Callahan, Mary (October 29, 2015). "Conservation deal would secure 547-acre Sonoma Coast ranch bordering tidal estuary". The Press Democrat.
- ^ Callahan, Mary (January 7, 2016). "Conservation groups purchase Estero Ranch in $3.8 million deal". The Press Democrat.
- ^ Schuchat, Sam (April 2019). "Saving the Sonoma Coast: How Environmentalists Helped Protect Our Natural Treasure". Sonoma Magazine.
- ^ Callahan, Mary (July 18, 2023). "Sonoma County supervisors approve updated coastal protections". The Press Democrat.
- ^ California Coastal Commission (November 14, 2024). "California Coastal Commission Hearing Exhibits for Wildlands Conservancy Access Improvements" (PDF). Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Thomas Hughes (November 15, 2024). "Coastal Commission approves overhaul of Sonoma County's coast land use plan". Bay City News. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "The Wildlands Conservancy – Estero Americano Coast Preserve Opening". Facebook. The Wildlands Conservancy. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.