Richmond Ranch
Executive Summary
The Richmond Ranch
Beauty, Serenity, Possibilities
The historic Richmond Ranch is a beautiful and expansive California property in the Southeast corner of the famed Silicon Valley, bordering the City of San Jose. The approximately 3,653-acre ranch is being offered in its entirety or in four smaller parcel groupings (see page 9).
The property has been a working cattle ranch for nearly 100 years and in more recent times has also served as a retreat for members of the Richmond family. Like the adjacent San Felipe Ranch, owned by the Hewlett-Packard families, the Richmond Ranch has the potential to provide the owner with the opportunity to create a legacy property for the enjoyment of family, friends, and business associates.
Rolling oak-studded hills, secluded meadows, and remarkable views of Mount Hamilton, San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area provide the perfect setting for hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, camping and connecting with a rich, unspoiled California landscape.
The Richmond Ranch has three living areas, including several ranch houses, one dating back to the 1880s, a barn, stable and other outbuildings along with natural springs and a creek. Nearby is Silver Creek Country Club boasting a championship golf course and an active tennis club.
Property Description
The Richmond Ranch consists of 10 parcels of land totaling approximately 3,653 acres. The Ranch is bisected by San Felipe Road and also connected to Metcalf Road, which leads back toward the 101 Freeway.
The low or West side of the Ranch has gentle rolling slopes that are part of the Silver Creek watershed. The high or East side of the Ranch has a steeper topography leading to the majestic Mount Misery at an elevation of 2,464 feet above sea level (pictured). From atop this peak, there is a commanding view of San Jose, the San Francisco Bay and surrounding wildlands.
There are miles and miles of ranch roads for hiking or vehicular access. Natural springs are scattered throughout the ranch providing ample water for the cattle herd and abundant wildlife.
Approximately 3.5 miles of the ranch are bordered by the San Felipe Ranch (owned by the Hewlett-Packard families), which is protected from development and enhances important wildlife corridors in the region.
Recreation & Wildlife
The Richmond Ranch offers unlimited recreation possibilities in an exceptional wildlife
habitat. Miles of private roads and trails are ready for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and exploring thousands of acres.
Hunting on the ranch has been limited to family members and their guests for many years, and thus the Richmond Ranch is home to large numbers of animals. The wide open valleys, hilltops and extensive pastures combined with heavily forested brush and canyons provide superior habitat for Columbia black-tailed deer, wild boar, wild turkey, dove and quail.
Natural springs provide ample water for the wildlife population and as mentioned earlier, the adjoining protected land enable important corridors where animals can migrate and thrive.
The Richmond Ranch also hosts an abundance of non-game animals such as coyote, bobcat, Tule Elk, raccoons, tree squirrels (brown and grey), mountain lions, rabbits, Red Tail Hawks, Golden Eagles, vultures, owls (Great Horned and Barn), Blue Jays, songbirds, finch and sparrows.
The flora on the Richmond Ranch reflects a great biological diversity. Trees include evergreen and deciduous oaks which provide abundant acorns for the deer, boar and turkey populations. Other tree species well represented are English Laurel (Bay), Buck Eye, Sycamore, Elderberries and imported Eucalyptus. Although too numerous to list, shrubs and plants include sage, black berries, ferns, various wild flowers, oat hay, wild clover and minors lettuce.
Improvements
The Richmond Ranch has three existing developed areas for living. The first is located at 7500 San Felipe Road and serves as the nerve center for the existing cattle operations on the Ranch. This is a 4.26 acre parcel flanked on one side by an open space parcel which adds an additional 7 acres. The main parcel consists of a charming ranch house dating back to the late 1800s. Next to that is a small “bunk house” currently leased to a tenant who is leasing the ranch to run a cow-calf cattle operation. The property also hosts a large barn and a horse stable with tack room. Behind the barn is a corral area. There are also two out buildings for storage of tools and equipment. Across the street are more corrals and cattle chutes.
The second residential area is further down the road at 7625 San Felipe Road. This property has a lovely two-bedroom, two-bathroom house originally constructed in 1878 with a back brick patio area for entertaining and summer barbecues. The beautiful vistas showcase old growth oak trees, rolling hillsides, natural springs with rambling wild blackberry bushes and Thompson Creek. A separate building contains a 3-car garage, two separate storage facilities and two bedrooms on the back side, each with its own bathroom.
The property also has a unique octagonal shaped building, formerly used for an extensive library and music room, with its own bathroom, a bar area and a small storage area.
The last residential area is some five miles down San Felipe Road at the corner of Metcalf Road.
Although the residence is in poor condition, this site with its solitude and spectacular ranch views presents a fabulous opportunity to build a dream house with a backyard that extends for acres instead of square feet.
Across the street is an old barn used for tools, automobile and equipment storage.
History
The Richmond Ranch was acquired in the 1920s and 1930s by Edmund N. Richmond, co-founder of Richmond-Chase Company, a cannery formerly one of the largest employers in the Valley. The Ranch has been an active cattle ranch since that time, and has been continuously held by the greater Richmond family.
Broker’s Comments
The Richmond Ranch is a large holding offering a stunning California landscape and very convenient location. With thousands of acres of wildlife habitat that is bordered by huge tracts of protected land, the ranch’s intrinsic natural value is both evident and inspiring. The opportunity to open a gate and leave a busy life behind is exciting. The enjoyment that will be found exploring miles of trails and taking in spectacular views of the Bay Area with family and friends should never grow old. Cattle ranching, if you choose to continue the tradition, can provide an opportunity to experience life in the West like past generations of Californians.