Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve

Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve joins UC Nature
Image: Nick Gonzales/UC Santa Cruz

Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve is a 2,700-acre property located in San Benito County, California, near Tres Pinos. The reserve encompasses oak-studded grasslands, chaparral, and sycamore woodlands, offering a diverse range of habitats. Its unique geological features, including proximity to the San Andreas Fault, provide valuable opportunities for research in geology and earth sciences. The reserve serves as a living laboratory for ecological, geological, and environmental studies.

Reserve Director: Gage Dayton
Phone: (831) 459-4867
Email: [email protected]

Reserve Director: 
Joe Miller 
[email protected] 

Address: Near Tres Pinos, San Benito County, California

Coordinates: Approximately 36.8° N, 121.3° W

Proximity: About 90 minutes from UC Santa Cruz campus​

Overnight facilities are being developed.

The reserve bibliography includes citations of journal articles, books, theses, art, and other works published about or based on activities conducted at the reserve.

Gage Dayton – Director, UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves

Don Croll – Faculty Director, UC Santa Cruz UC Nature

2,700 acres

Range: Approximately 1,000 to 2,500 feet (305 to 762 meters) above sea level​

Approximately 15 to 20 inches (380 to 510 mm)​

  • Winter: Highs around 60°F (15°C), lows around 35°F (2°C)
  • Summer: Highs around 90°F (32°C), lows around 55°F (13°C)