Governor Newsom Unveils Bold Vision for Biggest Expansion of State Parks in Decades Including Adding 133 Acres at Pigeon Point Light Station

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PRESS RELEASES. From the California State Parks on April 22nd, 2026 and from Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) on April 22nd, 2026.

Governor Newsom Unveils Bold Vision for Biggest Expansion of State Parks in Decades, Adding Three New State Parks and Thousands of Acres to Existing Parks including Pigeon Point Light Station

133 Acres Added to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park (San Mateo County)

Aerial view of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park with Cloverdale Bluffs off in the distance. Photo from Matthew Huang, Peninsula Open Space Trust.

Views of the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse – the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast currently nearing completion of an extensive restoration – are even more majestic from Cloverdale Bluffs, now part of the state park’s spectacular coastline following a property donation from Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). This key addition more than triples the park’s footprint and helps preserve the natural beauty of the San Mateo Coast. The acquisition also enables an extension of the California Coastal Trail through 1.5 miles of coastline in the park.

“POST is proud to be a part of State Parks Forward,” said Gordon Clark, president of Peninsula Open Space Trust. “We’re excited to once again work closely with State Parks to make more lands accessible to Californians for generations to come. This type of partnership between public agencies and private organizations is vital to maintaining our beautiful, productive and essential open spaces.”

Peninsula Open Space Trust Dontaes 133 Acres of San Mateo County Coastline to California State Parks, Tripling Size of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park

Donation Expands Public Access Opportunities
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has transferred ownership of a number of parcels of coastal land in San Mateo County to California State Parks (State Parks), as announced today in Fresno by Governor Gavin Newsom. POST’s transfer represents a $5 million gift from the generous donors of POST to the people of California.

These parcels, totaling 133 acres, triple the size of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, which also includes the scenic Whaler’s Cove property that POST protected in 2000 and transferred to State Parks in 2005.

“This major expansion of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park reflects what’s possible when land trusts and state agencies work together with a shared vision,” said Gordon Clark, president of POST. “POST and our generous donors have invested in protecting the San Mateo Coastside for decades. We’re proud to be able to donate this land to State Parks so that all Californians and the many hundreds of thousands of annual visitors will enjoy it for generations to come.”

This month’s transfer is among the first to be completed under SB630 (Allen), signed into California law by Governor Newsom in October 2025, which creates a streamlined process for State Parks to acquire properties adjacent to existing state parks. The donated parcels are located along Highway 1 north and south of the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. These properties were originally purchased by POST in a series of conservation transactions conducted since 1997. This will expand public access to one of the most scenic stretches of the California coast, home to the West Coast’s tallest lighthouse.

“This greatly helps to preserve the natural beauty and outstanding views of the San Mateo Coast,” said Chris Spohrer, Santa Cruz District Superintendent with California State Parks. “State Parks thanks POST for its long-term partnership and commitment to protecting open spaces and preserving public lands for future generations.”

Property History
Two of the donated parcels were acquired by POST for conservation as part of Cloverdale Ranch. Between 1997 and 2012, POST protected more than 8,000 acres of Cloverdale Ranch, a property spanning 8.8 square miles of land connecting Butano and Año Nuevo State Parks. The majority of that land has been transferred to State Parks and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for permanent stewardship and to working farmers. The donated parcels are among the last POST-owned properties from those original acquisitions to be transferred.

In 2025, POST signed a 5-year lease with Brisa Ranch to farm just under 62 acres of land along the bluff that had been fallow for many years. This lease expanded their farm and the amount of produce they could supply to the Coastside Local Food Hub. This lease will continue under State Parks’ ownership, providing another inspiring example of how public access and productive farming can co-exist on the San Mateo Coast.

Future Public Access Opportunities
The donated properties also provide an opportunity to link segments of the California Coastal Trail that are currently unconnected between Pigeon Point Light Station and other nearby protected lands. POST intends to raise roughly $14 million in the years ahead to plan and build a trail that will close a roughly 1.5-mile gap. Work will be closely coordinated with State Parks and other associated agencies.

The Transaction
POST will transfer the properties to State Parks at no cost. This transfer represents a $5 million gift from the generous donors of POST to the people of California. State Parks will be adding thousands of more acres over the next few years. Follow along as new lands are added to the nation’s largest and most diverse State Park System at parks.ca.gov/Forward.