Pappas

Filed 12/28/

CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION SIX

CAROLYN PAPPAS et al., 2d Civil No. B304347 (Super. Ct. No. 1417388) Plaintiffs and Appellants, (Santa Barbara County)

v.

STATE COASTAL

CONSERVANCY et al.,

Defendants and Respondents;

GAVIOTA COASTAL TRAIL

ALLIANCE,

Intervener and Appellant.

The California Coastal Act (Pub. Resources Code, § 30000 et seq. 1) restricts selling or transferring certain state-owned

All statutory references are to the Public Resources Code

unless otherwise stated. property interests near the coast. This case addresses whether a purported “public access easement” granted to a state agency four decades ago by the owner of a large coastal parcel in Hollister Ranch (the Ranch) is a property interest subject to these restrictions. We conclude it is. The Ranch is a gated community and working cattle ranch on Santa Barbara County’s Gaviota Coast. Precipitous geography and a guarded entrance ensure seclusion for those who reside upon one of its 100-acre parcels. State agencies and civic activists have long quarreled with the Hollister Ranch…