Star Creek Ranch 1240 Acres  Call for Price Watsonville, California Star Creek Ranch offers a real sense of separation from the normal living atmosphere of the populous Silicon Valley although it is physically located between Watsonville and Gilroy, only a half-hour drive from central Santa Cruz and 45 minutes from San Jose. Easy commute to Los Gatos as well. Here is a remote paradise available for varied uses within easy access of the San Francisco Bay Area.

View from Mt. Parjao Click on image to enlarge.

Another awesome view Click on image to enlarge.

One of 5 hilltops Click on image to enlarge.

Yet another awesome view Click on image to enlarge.

Click on image to enlarge.

The ranch consists of 1240 acres of rolling to mountainous topography offering views of the Monterey Valley and the ocean. The property vegetation breakdown includes about 400 acres of redwood, mostly in the draws and on the northern slopes, with the balance in classic California oak savanna, California bay trees, chaparral and grassland.

 

Water The Pescadero Creek is the two-mile eastern border of the land. Other water features include Star Creek, five other streams and two ponds. Green pond (picture below) the water under the mini lilly pads is clear there is no algae. We affectionately call it green pond just so you will know.

Green Pond Click on image to enlarge.

Pescadero Creek also a boundary Click on image to enlarge.

"Lost Pond... Now Found" Click on image to enlarge.

Zoning The property, which is zoned commericial agriculture, lies one-half in Santa Cruz County (2 APN's) and one-half in Santa Clara County. Access to the ranch is over a deeded easement 1.7 miles from Highway 129 via an all-weather gravel road.

Oak Savana near Mt. Parjao Click on image to enlarge.

Oak Savana still Mt. Parjao Click on image to enlarge.

Oak Savana Click on image to enlarge.

Worthy of Preservation The restoration of the land is an ongoing process that includes designing and implementing a water system for livestock and wildlife. Portions of the property are fenced for grazing.

Fenced grazing area Click on image to enlarge.

Swimming pool fed by Star Creek Click on image to enlarge.

Historical uses include livestock grazing, timber harvesting and a Girl Scout camp. A large swimming pool is intact but needs repair. Was fed by Star Creek.

Grazing During the last few years, the land has been leased for grazing by goats for short period of time. This was done to reduce the brush and encourage native grasses.

Approximately 40 Acre Pasture Click on image to enlarge.

East from Atherton Peak Click on image to enlarge.

An Investment Star Creek Ranch provides the perfect vehicle for someone who wants to invest part of his wealth in land that can be enjoyed, improved and conserved while its value increases over the years. Large secluded tracts of land are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. A spectacular permanent ranch house or cabins could be constructed on a large choice of forested or ridge-top view sites. The significant acreage allows for multiple residences with the privacy and space to possibly accomodate a retreat facility.

NW view from Atherton Peak Click on image to enlarge.

South from Atherton Peak Click on image to enlarge.

Last view from Atherton Peak Click on image to enlarge.

Subdivision Long-term investment includes the possibility of future subdivision of the ranch. Presently the property is divided into accessor's parcels in two counties that probably could be sold separately. 600 Acres: Assessor's Parcel # 810-27-002 Santa Clara County 600 Acres: Assessor's Parcel # 110-271-05 Santa Cruz County 40 Acres: Assessor's Parcel # 110-271-06 Santa Cruz County

Recreation Mountain biking, horseback riding and 4-wheel drive vehicles are all possible recreational activities on more than 20 miles of ranch roads crisscrossing the land. Plentiful wildlife includes wild boar, deer, mountain lions, coyotes, quail, hawks, falcons and bobcats. Bird watching, camping and hiking opportunities abound.

Click on image to enlarge.

Atherton Peak Property goes almost to the peak Click on image to enlarge.

Timber Star Creek Ranch's history of property use has been primarily timber production. The property is similar to most timbered parcels in the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains, second-growth redwood dominating the draw bottoms, giving way to oak woodland in the drier upland areas. The current timber stand inventory includes approximately 350 acres of redwoods and suggests that the land can realisitically sustain low-intensity, periodic, commerical harvests probably beginning in the year 2006. The total current redwood volume is over three million board feet.

Vineyard Potential Some plantable acreage could be developed into a vineyard or an orchard for olive or similar trees. This area is increasingly recognized for its wine, which bodes well for future grape prices and the profitability of vineyard development.

Many acre site near top of Mt. Parjaro Click on image to enlarge.

Entrance Gate Click on image to enlarge.

Oak and Grasslands Click on image to enlarge.

One of the canyons Click on image to enlarge.

Dead Dog Canyon Click on image to enlarge.

More oak and grassland Click on image to enlarge.

More rolling hills Click on image to enlarge.

Pretty oak tree Click on image to enlarge.

More oak and grassland Click on image to enlarge.

Another area Click on image to enlarge.

Offers Welcome.

Shown by appointment only to prequalified buyers.

Debbie Donner, Broker 408-395-5754 debbie@donnerland.com

Disclaimer: all information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Donner Land and Mortgage Company shall not be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.