Press Release: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Acquires Rincon Gateway Bluffs Property, Protecting a Jewel of Coastal Habitat Forever
Carpinteria, CA – The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is proud to announce the acquisition of the Rincon Gateway, a 2.48-acre jewel of a property located at the southeastern entrance of Santa Barbara County. Nestled along the eastern edge of the Carpinteria Bluffs and adjacent to the Rincon Bluffs Preserve, this rare and ecologically important parcel offers significant coastal habitat. With this acquisition, the Land Trust ensures that this beloved piece of land will remain undeveloped and preserved for the benefit of the public and future generations. “Conservation is an act of love, and this is a Valentine to our community,” said Meredith Hendricks, Executive Director of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. “When we have a willing seller and terrific funding support, we can make magic happen!”
Rincon Gateway is a vital addition to the region’s network of protected open spaces. Its prime location, along one of the last remaining stretches of undeveloped coastline between Goleta and Ventura, makes it an important component in safeguarding the natural beauty and ecological health of the area. The property has long been eyed for development, with the most recent proposal being a “glamping” project by AutoCamp, which included 26 Airstream trailers. However, this development met with strong opposition from local conservationists, including Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, and was ultimately abandoned.
“Our community is realizing its dream of conserving more Carpinteria Bluffs coastal open space,” said Patrick Crooks, President of Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs. “Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs is proud to be part of this latest acquisition achievement led by the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, largely made possible by the big-hearted support of a local foundation and the willingness of the former landowner to sell.”
“I am so proud of the Carpinteria community for coming together to protect this land, and grateful for the Land Trust for putting in the hard work to protect it forever,” said Roy Lee, First District County Supervisor.
In spring 2023, after the development plans were abandoned, the Land Trust began exploring opportunities to purchase the property. In November 2024, with the backing from La Centra- Sumerlin Foundation, the vision to secure this important piece of land gained momentum. The Land Trust was able to negotiate the purchase price of $3,895,000 and finalize the deal by January 30, 2025. Funding to cover the due diligence, purchase, and ongoing stewardship of the land was also provided by the La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation. This eliminated the need for a capital campaign and allows the Land Trust to truly offer this space as a gift back to the community. “We are thrilled to support the Land Trust in their mission to preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of our region,” said Whitney Kopf, Executive Director of La Centra- Sumerlin Foundation. “The acquisition of the Rincon Gateway, and the eventual expansion of the Rincon Bluffs Preserve, will provide lasting benefits to the Carpinteria community and future generations. This project is a testament to the power of community collaboration and dedication to preserving our open spaces.”
This acquisition marks a major milestone in the Land Trust’s ongoing efforts to preserve Santa Barbara County’s coastal beauty and natural habitat. Rincon Gateway will not only serve as a lasting ecological resource but also stand as a reminder of what can be achieved when the community, local partners, and dedicated organizations come together. Looking ahead, the Land Trust’s long-term goal is to expand the Rincon Bluffs Preserve – something they hope can be achieved through this continued kind of collaboration.
“We are extremely grateful for the extraordinary generosity of our donors who share the vision and dedication for conserving land that provides valued open space, public access, ecological, and cultural significance,” said Laurel Fisher Perez, Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Board President. “Thank you to our donors, our hard-working staff, and the property owners who willingly work with us to achieve win-win results!”
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About The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces throughout Santa Barbara County. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has protected 57,306 acres of land, ensuring the preservation of the county’s diverse landscapes for future generations. For more information about The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and its conservation efforts, visit www.sblandtrust.org, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
