Cojo Bay Beach on Dangermond Preserve

UPDATE: Cojo-Jalama Ranch has been purchased by The Nature Conservancy through a generous $165M donation from the founders of ESRI. The beach in Cojo Bay and the lighthouse at Point Conception are still off-limits to the public, but at least the property won’t be sold off in private lots like nearby Hollister Ranch. Maybe one day we’ll get to see Cojo Bay in the newly named Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve.

Cojo Bay Beach is a long sandy beach near Point Conception in Santa Barbara County. The beach is completely surrounded by private property in the Cojo-Jalama Ranch (formerly called the Bixby Ranch). The only roads into this area are gated to keep out the general public. Cojo Bay’s sandy beach is in a south-facing cove that is protected from the west by Government Point. The beach, like all California beaches, is public property below the mean high tide level, but getting to Cojo Bay is only possible by boat from Gaviota Beach unless you have an inside connection to the ranch owners or managers.

This area has several surfing areas with names like Cojo, Perko’s, and Government’s, that are worth boating into when conditions are right. East of Cojo-Jalama Ranch is Hollister Ranch which is also privately-owned and gated at the entrance. In years past before the Hollister gates were locked, surfers enjoyed the many breaks along this long private coast.

Near Cojo Bay is Point Conception which has a Coast Guard lighthouse that few ever get to see in person.

If you are in the area and want to visit a public sandy beach, Jalama Beach is an excellent choice (and your only option).

Address

10,000 Jalama Road
Lompoc, CA 93436

Park Name

Cojo-Jalama Ranch

Other Names

Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, Big Coho Beach, Governments, Perkos, Bixby Ranch

Owner

The Nature Conservancy (gated property)

Activities

Beach Exploration, Surfing, Tidepooling

Amenities

Lighthouse, No Facilities

Links

Water Temps
Tide Chart
Cojo Surf Reports