Directions

Please Note: Though we love to share the ranch with visitors,  Elkus Ranch is open  to guests by reservation only. Please check our Event Calendar for the next opportunity to visit or check out our Programs drop down to schedule your own Small Group Private Tour or other activity.

The ranch is located south of Half Moon Bay at 1500 Purisima Creek Road. Please observe our 5 mph speed limit as you turn off of Purisima Creek Road on to our access drive and all the way to the ranch.  We also want to gently remind visitors to observe this 5 mph speed limit as they exit the Ranch until they reach Purisima Creek Road again.  Thank you!

Please DO NOT use a GPS or online map service because they'll send you to the wrong location. Instead, follow these easy directions once you are on Purisima Creek Road.  We are located at the second driveway on the right, south-side of Purisima Creek Road.  Our driveway is after the white horse fencing, you will see a wooden “UC Elkus Ranch” sign at our entrance.

Parking at Elkus for Field Trips:

• Please observe the 5mph speed limit when entering and exiting the Ranch.
• Cars can drive straight uphill and park on the left of the driveway below the picnic tables. "Visitor Parking" signs indicate you are in the right spot.
• Charter buses over 40 feet should park at our bridge. Our staff will walk with your group up to the Ranch.
• School buses up to 40 feet can park at our Conference Center. Turn onto the Elkus driveway, cross the bridge, continue uphill, turn at the first left turn (it has a sign directing you to the Conference Center) and park in the ample parking lot.  Our staff will walk with your group to the Ranch.

Parking at Elkus for the Lunch at the Ranch and the Conference Center:

• Please observe the 5mph speed limit when entering and exiting the Ranch.
• Lunch at the Ranch program participants and Conference Center attendees should park at the Conference Center. Turn onto the Elkus driveway, cross the bridge, continue uphill, turn at the first left turn (it has a sign directing you to the Conference Center) and park in the ample parking lot. Our staff will meet you in the parking lot.

From San Francisco:

• Take Hwy 1 South through Pacifica to Half Moon Bay. 
• Continue on Hwy 1 south 4.5 miles past the Hwy 92 intersection. 
• Look for the green “UC Elkus Ranch Next Left” sign.
• Turn LEFT onto Verde Rd./Purisima Creek Rd. and continue on  Purisima Creek Road for approximately 2 miles.
• Look for the woodend “Elkus Environmental Education Center & UC Cooperative Extension” sign and turn RIGHT into our access drive.
  
• Follow drive past the horse pastures and down the hill to the ranch entrance.

From San Mateo:

• Take Hwy 92 WEST to Half Moon Bay. 
• At Hwy 92/Hwy 1 intersection, turn left and travel 4.5 miles south.
• Look for the green “UC Elkus Ranch Next Left” sign.
• Turn LEFT onto Verde Rd./Purisima Creek Rd. and continue on  Purisima Creek Road for approximately 2 miles.
• Look for the wooden “Elkus Environmental Education Center & UC Cooperative Extension” sign and turn RIGHT into our access drive.
  
• Follow drive past the horse pastures and down the hill to the ranch entrance.

From Santa Cruz:

• Take Hwy 1 North toward Half Moon Bay. 
• At Hwy 84 (to La Honda) intersection, continue 6.4 miles North on Hwy 1
• Look for green “UC Elkus Ranch Next Right” sign .
• Turn RIGHT onto Verde Rd./Purisima Creek Rd. and continue on  Purisima Creek Road for approximately 2 miles.
• Look for the wooden “Elkus Environmental Education Center & UC Cooperative Extension” sign and turn RIGHT into our access drive.
  
• Follow drive past the horse pastures and down the hill to the ranch entrance.