Looking over green hills across a valley below filled with agricultural fields, to blue mountains in the distance, under a blue sky streaked with white clouds

Land Protection

The Open Space Authority has permanently protected approximately 30,000 acres of natural and working lands for the benefit of people and wildlife. To implement the land protection goals in the Santa Clara Valley Greenprint, we are proud to work with landowners to permanently protect open space. The Open Space Authority can purchase a property outright, accept donations of land or place a conservation easement on a property, which allows the landowner to retain ownership and use of the land while limiting development on it forever by selling the development rights to the Open Space Authority.

We are grateful for the many partners and grantors who make these land protection efforts possible, in addition to public investments in nature. Learn more on our Investing in Nature page.

Protected Lands Map

Open Space Preserves

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Sierra Vista

Located in the Eastern foothills of Santa Clara County, Sierra Vista contains majestic oak woodlands, rolling grasslands and chaparral habitats. It is a key watershed shelter for Penitencia Creek and hosts protected wildlife species such as the California red-legged frog and golden eagle.

Acres: 1,611
Year protected: 2000
Cost: $9 million, paid for by the Open Space Authority and the generous support of the Coastal Conservancy, Prop 12 and the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

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Rancho Cañada Del Oro

The Open Space Authority’s largest preserve, Rancho Cañada del Oro sits in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Numerous glistening creeks run through mixed oak woodlands and grasslands.

Acres: 5,675
Year protected: 2000-2022
Cost: $28.1 million, paid for by the Open Space Authority and the generous support of Prop 12, Peninsula Open Space Trust, the City of San José, California Coastal Conservancy, Department of Parks and Recreation, the County of Santa Clara and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

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A dirt trail winds through lush green hills dotted with dark green oak trees, in the distance a rainbow arcs over farmland below

Coyote Valley

Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is located at the western edge of the Coyote Valley in a greenbelt between San José and Morgan Hill. While only 20 miles from downtown San José, this preserve offers a true rural and nature experience. The property contains serpentine rock outcroppings, oak savannas, seasonal creeks and beautiful views of the valley.

Acres: 348
Year protected: 2010
Cost: $3.5 million for this acquisition, paid for by the Open Space Authority

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Looking over green grassy hills with orange wildflowers across a valley below towards blue mountains in the distance, under a light blue sky streaked with white clouds

Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge

Comprised of rare, sensitive serpentine grasslands, this unique landscape is a biodiversity hotspot for endangered plants and animals, including the federally threatened Bay Checkerspot butterfly, tule elk, and burrowing owls. Scientific research on the plant and animal communities found here continues today. The property is also the source of 3 streams that feed into Coyote Creek and provides critical recharge to the groundwater basin.

Acres: 1,859
Year protected: 2013
Cost: $8.9 million, made possible through the generous support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the State Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board, California State Parks, the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Resources Legacy Fund.

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Coyote Valley

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Coyote Valley Conservation Areas

Coyote Valley is a remarkable natural and rural landscape located between the cities of San José and Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County. Located at the narrowest point between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east, the valley serves as a critical landscape linkage for the region’s wildlife, connecting over 1.1 million acres of prime habitat in the mountain ranges. The valley itself is notable for its unique habitats, wildlife, scenic beauty, recreational areas, farmland and water resources. Thanks to the tireless commitment of partners and community members, over 1,500 acres of valley-floor lands have been permanently protected in Coyote Valley.

Acres: 1,550
Year protected: 2017

Pajaro River

Rows of green leafy crops in a dirt field with a row of trees far in the horizon and hills behind them. The sky is light blue.

Pajaro River Agricultural Preserve

This land has been in continuous agricultural production since at least 1939 and under the Authority’s ownership will remain important working lands that support the agricultural heritage of Santa Clara County. Riparian habitat on the preserve connects to the Pajaro River, a critical wildlife corridor connecting the Diablo and Santa Cruz Mountains.

Acres: 284
Year protected: 2014
Funding: $4.6 million for this acquisition, made possible through the generous support of the Resources Legacy Fund and the Pajaro River Watershed Flood Prevention Authority.

A field full of tall green and golden grasses under a blue sky with white clouds.

Bloomfield Conservation Easement

Located in the Soap Lake Floodplain, the Bloomfield conservation easement protects agricultural, scenic, open space, trail and wetland values. The proposed route for the Bay Area Ridge Trail follows the road that bisects the property (not open to the public). Hay is grown on the northern part of the property and row crops are grown on the southern part.

Acres: 301
Year protected: 2003
Cost: $1.6 million for this easement, paid for by the Open Space Authority.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Looking upward towards a canopy of redwood trees stretching up to the sky. Ferns and dark plants grow on the forest floor.

Croy Redwoods

Croy Redwoods is the Open Space Authority's first acquisition that permanently protects redwood forest habitat. Located in an area that receives the highest amount of rainfall in the County, this property has very high conservation values in terms of biodiversity and water resources. A tributary to Uvas Creek and a main stem of Croy Creek run through the property, which contain habitat for native fish, such as rainbow trout and riffle sculpin, and potential habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog and the foothill yellow-legged frog.

Acres: 192
Year protected: 2018
Cost: Donated by the Bay Family and the LaSalle Family.

A field of purple lupine wildflowers in front of a golden hill half-covered with green shrubs, under a blue sky

El Toro

Nestled above Morgan Hill, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this hillside is home to coast live oaks, California bay woodlands, chaparral and grasslands.

Acres: 58
Year protected: 2010
Cost: $2 million for this acquisition, paid for by the Open Space Authority and the generous support of the City of Morgan Hill.

A small blue pond surrounded by reeds, oak trees, and golden hillsides, under a clear blue sky.

Little Uvas Creek

Located in the Southern Santa Cruz Mountains, Little Uvas Creek consists primarily of serpentine habitats and grey pine and oak woodlands, as well as five perennial ponds.

Acres: 285
Year protected: 2014
Cost: $1.4 million for this acquisition, paid for by the Open Space Authority and the generous support of the County of Santa Clara.

An expansive view looking down and across rows of green and blue mountains stretching to the horizon, with the tops of trees framing the bottom of the photos.

Mount Chual

As the third highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this preserve has panoramic views of the Diablo Range with chaparral and Bay laurel plant communities. It also contains the headwaters for Llagas Creek, which provide essential water supply and aquatic habitat for fish and amphibians.

Acres: 472
Year protected: 2002-2012
Cost: $2 million for multiple acquisitions, paid for by the Open Space Authority.

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Santa Teresa Foothills

Located on Santa Teresa Ridge in San José's Santa Teresa neighborhood, this land is a future gateway to 1,500 acres of open space. It provides sweeping views across the Almaden Valley to downtown San José and the Diablo Range. The property has prominent sandstone rock outcroppings and was once part of the historic Greystone Quarry.

Acres: 61
Year protected: 2016
Cost: $1.1 million, paid for by the Open Space Authority and the generous support of the City of San José.

Light green and orange shrubs in front of a view of dark green hills covered in trees and foggy clouds.

Seven Oaks Hill Conservation Easement

In exchange for the Open Space Authority's funding contribution to Santa Clara County Parks' acquisition of the property, the Seven Oaks Hill conservation easement ensures that the property will remain public open space in perpetuity and conserves natural, scenic and open space values for habitat, wildlife and passive recreational use.

Acres: 358
Year protected: 2014
Cost: This easement was given to the Open Space Authority in exchange for its $268,750 contribution to the acquisition of the property.

A grove of dozens of redwood trees on a slope, with rays of sunlight streaming through

Summit Conservation Easement

The Open Space Authority's first scenic easement gift by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, this protected property helps preserve the natural environment that is visible from the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Acres: 20
Year protected: 1995
Cost: Generously donated by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Rolling green hills with oak trees and winding trails overlooking a wide green valley beyond them, and mountains on the far side, under a blue sky.

Tilton Ranch & Complex

The Open Space Authority partnered with the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to protect one of the County's largest remaining ranches. The Tilton Ranch & Complex will eventually expand the Open Space Authority’s adjoining 348-acre Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, which was itself once part of Tilton Ranch. This significant land conservation dramatically expands the network of protected lands adjacent to Coyote Valley, benefiting people and wildlife.

Acres: 1,921
Year protected: 2020
Cost: $23 million, paid for by the Open Space Authority, the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, POST, Santa Clara County Parks and the generous support of grants from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, U.S Fish and Wildlife and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Looking across dark, tree-covered mountains towards a sun rising over misty mountains on the horizon. The sky is light blue with pink and yellow clouds.

Upper Uvas Creek

Part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the headwaters of Uvas Creek drain through this property’s slopes, providing high-quality aquatic habitat and water supply. Douglas fir and gray pines are also found on this rugged terrain.

Acres: 1,254
Year protected: 2001
Cost: $4 million, paid for by the Open Space Authority.

Diablo Range

Looking across green hills covered with dark green trees with a smaller green hill in the foreground, under a bright blue sky.

Alum Rock Falls Conservation Easement

Located in the East Foothills above San José, the Alum Rock Falls conservation easement protects natural, scenic and open space values and includes a future trail corridor that will one day connect to Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.

Acres: 54
Year protected: 2005
Cost: $300,000 for this easement, paid for by the Open Space Authority.

Looking down a hill with golden grass towards a blue lake and other hills studded with oak trees, a valley and mountains far in the distance, under a blue sky with some white clouds

Coyote Highlands-Coyote Canyon Conservation Easement

Owned by Santa Clara County Parks and located next to Henry Coe State Park between Anderson Lake and Coyote Lake, this key property links nearly 105,000 acres of public lands into a contiguous network from north of the Santa Clara County line to Pinnacles National Park in San Benito County. The conservation easement ensures that the park, recreation and open space values of the property are protected forever.

Acres: 2,743
Year protected: 2016
Cost: $2.5 million for this easement, paid for by Open Space Authority and a generous grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Rolling golden hills covered in dark green trees and crisscrossed with trails, with blueish mountains in the distance, under a bright blue sky

Coyote Ridge Conservation Easements

Connected with Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve, these conservation easements are part of a chain of protected land along Coyote Ridge that provides habitat for many rare, threatened and endangered species, including the Bay checkerspot butterfly, Santa Clara Valley dudleya, Mount Hamilton thistle, California tiger salamander and California red-legged frogs. The land is owned by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

Acres: 1,001
Year protected: 2007
Cost: Mitigation projects for VTA and the Santa Clara Valley Water District

A long blue pond in between golden-green hills under a clear blue sky, with tree-covered hills in the distance

Diablo Foothills

Located east of Gilroy, this preserve has a half-acre pond and several creeks that are part of the primary watershed for the Pajaro River, which flows toward Monterey Bay. The preserve also offers habitat for California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders, and features coast live oak and annual grasslands.

Acres: 822
Year protected: 2007
Cost: $8 million, paid for by the Open Space Authority.

A wide creek flows through a lush forest of leafy green trees, casting shadows on the water's surface

Palassou Ridge

Palassou Ridge connects Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park to Henry Coe State Park. This preserve has deep, wooded canyons and rolling grassy hills as well as important habitat for California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders. The property contains a historic stone house and was a campsite for the Anza Expedition.

Acres: 3,550
Year: 1999
Cost: $2.1 million, made possible through the generous support of The Nature Conservancy.

Overlooking an forest of lush green trees surrounding a bright blue reservoir, under a clear blue sky

Upper Penitencia Creek Conservation Easement

Located above Cherry Flats Reservoir, the Upper Penitencia Creek conservation easement, owned by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, protects riparian areas along Upper Penitencia Creek and important habitat for sensitive species like the California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander and golden eagle.

Acres: 201
Year protected: 2014
Cost: Mitigation easement from Valley Water.

Other Agricultural Lands

An aerial view of rows of olive trees making up an orchard next to a tan and terra cotta building, with brown fields in the distance and golden hills far on the horizon

Frantoio Grove Agricultural Conservation Easement

Frantoio Grove is a family-owned and operated specialty olive oil company in the San Martin region of Santa Clara County. The land, initially anticipated to become a subdivision development, now remains productive farmland and protected from development. Its location in the 100-year floodplain also makes the land a source of flood protection, groundwater recharge and valuable habitat.

Acres: 97
Year protected: 2020
Funding: $4 million for this easement, made possible by a grant from the California Strategic Growth Council, California Climate Investments and California Department of Conservation’s Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program (SALC) and the generous support of the County of Santa Clara.

Rows of short green crops stretching out towards the horizon where there are dark trees, buildings, and rolling golden hills beyond, under a clear blue sky

Yiu Farm Agricultural Conservation Easement

This easement protects 79 acres of important farmland, located in a priority conservation area off Monterey Highway in San Martin. The farmland, initially anticipated to become a residential subdivision, has been in agricultural production for over 55 years, and is now permanently protected for agricultural use.

Acres: 79
Year protected: 2024
Cost: $2.4 million for this easement, made possible by a grant from the California Strategic Growth Council, California Climate Investments and California Department of Conservation’s Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program (SALC) and the generous support of the County of Santa Clara.

Partner Projects

Rows of bright green and dark purple lettuce stretching towards the horizon where there are hazy shapes of small buildings, telephone poles, and mountains beyond

Carnadero Preserve

This property consists of prime agricultural land and riparian habitat at the southern tip of Santa Clara County.

Acres: 282
Year protected: 2004
Cost: The Open Space Authority contributed $500,000 to help the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy acquire this conservation easement.

Looking down a covered in green trees towards a blue lake and other golden hills studded with oak trees,, under a blue sky with some white clouds

Jackson Sisters Ranch

Located by Anderson Reservoir, the Open Space Authority acquired Jackson Sisters Ranch and transferred it to Santa Clara County Parks to help expand the boundaries of Anderson Lake County Park.

Acres: 38
Year protected: 2006
Cost: $1.5 million for this acquisition, paid for by the Open Space Authority then sold to Santa Clara County Parks.

A sea of tall green grass topped with golden light from the sunset, and hazy outlines of mountains in the distance, under a golden and blue sky

Silacci Uplands

Located in southern Santa Clara County, this property consists of rangeland, oak woodland and bay woodland and is adjacent to Henry W. Coe State Park.

Acres: 1,388
Year protected: 2000
Cost: The Open Space Authority contributed $250,000 to help The Nature Conservancy acquire this conservation easement.

Two green heads of lettuce growing in dark brown soil

Taylor Ranch

This property consists of prime agricultural land at the southern tip of Santa Clara County.

Acres: 510
Year protected: 2006
Cost: The Open Space Authority contributed $500,000 to help the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy acquire this conservation easement.