The Wildlands Conservancy will turn the former buffer zone of Diablo Canyon into a trail network and campgrounds, a shift that follows a decade‑long battle for public access.
The property, known as Wild Cherry Canyon, is owned by Eureka Energy, a subsidiary of Pacific Gas and Electric, and the state is funding the purchase through the State Coastal Conservancy. The $42 million grant will first buy out the existing lease and then cover the remaining cost of the land, with the acquisition expected to close later this year.
The 2,060‑acre parcel sits between Avila Beach and Port San Luis, featuring coastal hills, oak and pine woodlands, and a road that leads to the nuclear plant. Cattle currently graze on the property, and the plan includes a five‑ to six‑mile loop trail that will protect Native American cultural sites linked to the Chumash people.
This is the first of three major parcels that could eventually form about 12,000 acres of preserved open space along 14 miles of coastline, stretching from Montana De Oro State Park to Avila Beach. The initiative comes amid discussions about Diablo Canyon’s future, as the plant’s operation was extended to 2030 and a further extension is under consideration; the state required PG&E to safeguard the surrounding lands as a condition for the extension.
Local officials and conservation groups praised the deal, noting it will finally give residents and visitors access to a landscape that has been off‑limits for decades. The Wildlands Conservancy plans to open the preserve to the public within five years, with guided tours potentially starting next year.