Outdoor Endeavors and Sports

The
unique recreational opportunities found along the 8.5 miles of ocean
frontage at Hollister Ranch are the focus of most owners at
Hollister Ranch. Three beach cabañas provide owners facilities
such as hot showers, restrooms, B-B-Q pits, picnic tables and
plenty of area to enjoy the natural and unique settings found
at Drakes Beach, Bulito Beach and San Augustine Beach.
There is no doubt that the ocean-oriented activities are the most
apparent. The renowned surfing is probably the best-known water
sport at the Ranch. While growing in popularity everywhere, an uncrowded
day can still be enjoyed at Hollister Ranch.
Other recreational activities enjoyed in the beach areas of the
Ranch include fishing, swimming, tide-pooling, paddling, snorkeling,
skin-diving, sailing, kite-surfing, sail-boarding, beach combing,
shore-bird watching, beach-walking, horseback-riding and just plain
relaxing in the sand. The limited Hollister Ranch population results
in beaches that are pristine, environmentally intact and without
pollution.
After spending some time at Hollister Ranch, many
owners discover the abundance of wondrous experiences found away
from the ocean. Each 100-acre parcel has its own assemblage of flora
and fauna to discover and observe as the seasons change and weather
varies. Owners discover and learn to appreciate the life forms that
thrive on their property.
Beyond their own parcels, owners can enjoy all that
Hollister Ranch has to offer by driving, mountain biking or hiking
along portions of the 125 miles common road system throughout the
Ranch. In this way one can experience the elfin forest found in
the chaparral regions in the mountains or the oak and sycamore environments
along the creek beds in the canyons. All of this can be enjoyed
along the common road easement while respecting the private property
of other parcel owners.
Unique
Experiences
Homeowner residents are treated to experiences unknown
to those most familiar with urban living. It is difficult to explain
the wonder of watching the hunting practices and mating rituals
of the raptors (most often Red-Tailed Hawks). Residents become familiar
with Mule Deer bucks & does. Observing the social behavior of
the raising of a fawn (sometimes twins) is a unique experience.
Watching as a mother Bobcat teaches her young to hunt is at least
as special. Hunting by humans is not permitted, so the entire food
chain is in tact, and the interaction between the species is as
natural as one can find as anywhere.
Watching the character of the landscape change is
also a special treat for Hollister Ranch residents. The vegetation
at Hollister Ranch displays dramatic changes throughout the year.
Following the fall rains the range grass on the seasonally brown
hillsides becomes a vibrant green. In the spring, as the grass goes
to seed and begins to change color, an assemblage of dozens of types
of wildflowers come and go in predictable succession. As the grass
turns red - then brown – the springtime winds blowing across the
fields and hillsides give the impression of an animal’s fur waving
in the breeze.
Just within the lee of Point Conception, Hollister Ranch experiences
its own, unique microclimate. The wind patterns are different from
other California coastal locales. Air pollution is unheard of at
the Ranch, and the evening skies are crystal clear. There is less
summer coastal fog than along the rest of the coast.
Community
Events
Owners can participate as much or as little as they
wish in social interaction at the Ranch. Most contact between
owners takes place in the Beach Recreation Area either at one
of the three cabañas or on the beach itself. From time to time
social events are held at the Hollister House or at one of the
three beach cabañas. At these get-togethers - such as Father’s
Day brunches, art shows, Conservancy potlucks, the Hoedown, etc.
– owners meet and establish relationships. Owners will occasionally
host social functions at their parcels as well.
Owners with a particular talent or special interest participate
in the HROA committee system where their points of view can be expressed
and taken into account by the Board of Directors. Committee meetings
take place throughout the year, and the Board of Directors meets
monthly. Every December the entire membership participates in the
Annual Meeting where business takes place and a new Board of Directors
is elected.
Hollister Ranch affords its owners the ability to
enjoy coastal California as it was before overpopulation. Be it
along the shoreline, in the canyons, foothills or mountains or at
a neighbor’s home, the owners enjoy, preserve and protect an environment
found nowhere else.