Rancho Cañada Larga

Rancho Cañada Larga is a breathtaking mosaic of California’s natural beauty, where rolling hills stretch out under an expansive sky, and valleys cradle crystal-clear streams. This landscape is a rich tapestry of vibrant meadows, oak woodlands, and grasslands, each teeming with wildlife and native rare plants. It’s impossible to experience this land without sensing the wonderment nearly 6,500 acres of such vastness can bring.

It’s only been owned by two families since the 1800s, and for much of its history, has served as a cattle grazing ranch. But as the years passed, the threats of development loomed large. Developers have envisioned turning this emerald landscape into homes for the affluent, a secondary oil recovery, a landfill, or even a golf course retirement community. Such developments would have forever altered the timeless beauty of Rancho Cañada Larga, robbing future generations of the opportunity to experience its splendor.

Local opposition to development has long helped keep this landscape intact, and now Trust for Public Land, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board, and the Holdfast Collective are teaming up to protect Rancho Cañada Larga before it’s lost to development forever.

The future for this land is full of promise and we’re actively partnering with community organizations, local partners, and the Barbareño-Ventureño Band of Mission Indians to envision the next chapter for Rancho Cañada Larga. Once protected, collective visions can be realized, including the restoration of vital wildlife corridors, supporting research, and honoring Indigenous history and culture.

Public recreational access will also be a focus so hikers, birders, and bikers can continue to explore the three miles of the beloved Sulphur Mountain Trail that runs through the property, while Cañada Larga Creek, one of the five major tributaries to the Ventura River, can be restored to its historic richness.

Industrial sites and shuttered oil fields occupy much of the land in the nearby Westside community of Ventura—one of the most densely populated areas in the city, whose residents are primarily low-income and identify as Latino or Hispanic. In a community that’s been cut off from the Ventura River and close-to-home nature for far too long, Rancho Cañada Larga will provide vital open space to connect with the benefits of the outdoors.

Together, alongside committed partners and a passionate community, we’re ensuring that this land serves as a vibrant and accessible place where everyone can connect with nature, for generations to come.