Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center

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Coastside Gives 2025

About Elkus Ranch

 

children heading up to the upper barns

Located on the California coast, south of Half Moon Bay, UC Elkus Ranch provides experiential learning opportunities for Bay Area children.

Elkus Ranch is part of the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) Department.  The University of California’s Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is UCANR’s outreach arm so Elkus staff are employees of UCCE. Other San Mateo County ANR departments housed on the Elkus Ranch site include 4-H, Master Food Preservers, Master Gardeners.

 

 

 

Goats Blossom & kid Apple in front of the Lower Barn

Elkus Ranch is an Environmental Education Center and its staff facilitate hands-on programs for children from preschool through high school to explore the processes of producing food and fiber in field trips and overnight ranch tours, nutrition programs, community service days and special events. Livestock, gardens, and acres of open space create unique learning experiences for children and their adult chaperones. 

The ranch is specifically dedicated to providing these opportunities for children with special needs and all facilities are fully accessible. 

 

 

Conference Center

Elkus Ranch has a Conference Center for rent, with a full commercial kitchen and is available for daytime retreats, meetings, workshops, weddings and other special events.

 

 View the Elkus Ranch Brochure

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Education Through Hands-On Learning

Feeding our flock of sheep is always a highlight!

Elkus Ranch has been an Environmental Education destination since 1975. We are available by reservation only for a number of activities: 

 

 

More information on all our educational programs may be found on our Programs page. Please contact us with any questions.

 

 

 

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Upcoming Events

Sheep To Shawl 2025
Event Date
Jun 7 2025

Sheep To Shawl 2025

Watch our sheep being sheared, see spinning demonstrations, dye some wool, visit our friendly livestock and gardens. Enjoy a snack for lunch in our picnic area.
View Event
Event Date
Jun 23 2025

Elkus Summer Camp 2025: Session 1

Join us for Summer Camp 2025 at UC Elkus Ranch! Kids 6-11 years old will spend each day during a week-long session at the ranch learning to care for our livestock animals, exploring plants &…
View Event
Event Date
Jul 7 2025

Elkus Summer Camp 2025: Session 2

Join us for Summer Camp 2025 at UC Elkus Ranch! Kids 6-11 years old will spend each day during a week-long session at the ranch learning to care for our livestock animals, exploring plants &…
View Event
Event Date
Jul 14 2025

Elkus Summer Camp 2025: Session 3

Join us for Summer Camp 2025 at UC Elkus Ranch! Kids 6-11 years old will spend each day during a week-long session at the ranch learning to care for our livestock animals, exploring plants &…
View Event

Office Locations

UC Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center

1500 Purisima Creek Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
United States

Mission Statement

The mission of University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) San Mateo/San Francisco and Elkus Ranch is to serve the diverse needs of residents through the creation, development, and extension of knowledge in agriculture, natural resources, and human resources.