The Hollister Ranch is a private 14,400-acre gated residential community and cattle ranch in Santa Barbara County, California. It famous for its restricted land access, pristine wilderness, and world-class surf breaks.
The coast up towards the Hollister Ranch is supposed to be more open to the public. Maybe that will be true someday! I have checked this out myself - I drove up to the entrance gate to "The Ranch" and the person at the entrance gate would not let me go in. In the past, I have heard stories of the Hollister Ranch security guards harassing people - even stealing their surf boards when they lose them on a wave.
There have been conflicts over public access to coastal parts of the ranch for nearly 40 years. Beaches along the Ranch remain technically open to the public per California state law, but access is difficult because the ranch itself is protected private property.
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. People who wanted to surf the ranch bought parcels. Some surfers wanted to keep the waves for themselves - hence the public access conflict.
Surf Spots at the Hollister and Bixby Ranches include the following:
Government Point – A long rocky right point break.
Perko’s – A good summer break that picks up south swell.
Cojo Point & Reef – Often considered the best wave at the Ranch. Cojo picks up both big winter and summer swells.
St. Augustine’s – A wave with both rights and lefts on summer south swells.
Drakes – A long right point break. This point can hold big west swells and works up to double overhead.
Razor Blades – The name is derived from the sharp rocks that surround the beach. This is the first spot you reach if you hike, kayak, SUP or boat in to from the Gaviota pier. Razor Blades takes a big west or northwest swell to work.
So how do people access the waves and coast below the Hollister Ranch?
Own a house or parcel in the Hollister Ranch or know someone who owns a house. Houses are millions of dollars. Some people buy parcels.
Kayak or SUP in from Gaviota State Beach. This is not a beginner paddle! Once you leave the Gaviota State Beach area, access to the coast may be limited. At low tide there are more places to land. Not recommended unless you are a experienced diehard surfer who is in excellent condition!
Boat in from Santa Barbara harbor or small boat in from Gaviota State Beach.
Walk in from Gaviota State Beach. This is only possible at a very low tide (minus tide according to some sources)
It is about 14 miles from Gaviota State Beach up to Government Point. Not recommended unless you are a experienced diehard surfer who is in excellent condition!