835.28 Acres in Groveland, CA - $2,950,000

This turn-key property includes five separate contiguous parcels with easy access at the end of Corcoran Grey Road. A scenic drive into the ranch leads you past tree-covered rolling hills, valleys and stunning vistas, to the ranch center where the homes, outbuildings and other structures are located. Surrounding the enclosed ranch center are gently sloped hills, flats and ridges of fertile grazing land with springs, ponds, native oaks and other deciduous trees, conifers, grasses and seasonal wildflowers. The water and fertile soil along with a wide variety of tree cover provides a rich habitat livestock and deer, quail, turkey, dove and other wildlife. Spectacular views of the surrounding foothills, Lake Don Pedro and the Sierra Nevada can be taken in from around the property including an easily accessible ridgeline providing panoramic views. Well maintained public and private roads provide great access to and throughout the ranch. Two large garden areas are adjacent to the homes, one being a ~3,000-sq ft herb and vegetable garden, and the second being a large decorative ornamental garden area with a variety of accent and fruit trees. A special bonus is the over 2.5-miles of property line that abuts thousands of acres of public BLM land, encompassing the Tuolumne River and Lake Don Pedro. A spring-fed pond sits near the ranch center. An easement along the driveway provides access to the adjacent ranch property. The versatility and beautiful setting of this property has provided friends and family a special setting to host celebrations, retreats and other entertainment and educational functions. Clear night skies free from ambient light offers a quiet respite from the bustle of urban life.

APN: 065-010-037-000, Par B Pm 40-54 Por Sec 11 T1s R15e 180.91Ac;

APN: 065-020-005-000, Por S1/2 Sec 10 T1s R15e 225.27Ac;

APN: 065-010-033-000, Par A Pm 40-54 Por Sec 14 T1s R15e 91.87Ac;

APN: 065-010-036-000, Par C Pm 40-54 Por Sec 11 T1s R15e 45.41Ac;

APN: 065-020-037-000, Par D Pm 40-54 Por Sec 3 T1s R15e 291.82Ac.

Improvements

The fully fenced and cross-fenced property includes a wide array of dwellings, outbuildings and other improvements. A dozen primary buildings include:

The Main Home A modern 2,400-sq ft 3-bdrm 2-bath houses, including an attached two-car garage, an 800-sq ft wrap around covered porch, built-in solar-heated lap pool in 1,800-sq ft fenced area, numerous upgrades and features, including a 22-kw backup standby generator, water filter system, owned propane tank and separate septic system.

The Caretaker Home A quality 600-sq ft complete 2-bdrm 1-bath dwelling with a 260-sq ft covered front porch deck with roller shades, a 240-sq ft single vehicle carport and a separate storage unit. It also includes its own 22-kw backup standby generator, propane tank and septic system.

The Guest House A quaint 432-sq ft dwelling with sleeping area, full bath and laundry and partial kitchen. It also includes an adjacent 300-sq ft covered enclosed storage shed building.

The Ranch House A nicely appointed 1104-sq ft 2-bdrm 1-bath dwelling with a 144-sq ft covered porch/patio, 204-sq ft single vehicle carport and a separate 80-sq ft shed. It includes on-demand hot water, its own septic system and water well.

The Retreat Building A 960-sq ft multipurpose unit which includes a well-daylit main area, kitchen, laundry and bath. A 112-sq ft covered concrete porch/patio entry, outdoor firepit gathering area and nearby garden area are but some of this building’s features. It is well suited and has been used for additional guest accommodations and extra storage.

The Cabins Two 120-sq ft single room cabin buildings are located near the Retreat Building, providing additional guest accommodations and extra storage.

The Shop 1776-sq ft steel building with 220-v power, light and water is a key feature of the ranch. In addition to the main open bay, there is a separate tool/equipment room and a separate north-lit multi-purpose room, originally designed as an art studio. The building features numerous access and large doors, including an 11’x12 roll up door, a pair of 11’x9 swinging doors, a solid entry door and sliding glass door off the art studio. An outdoor 300-gal diesel full tank is located at the front of the Shop.

The RV Storage Building 372-sq ft 12’x31 three-sided, powered and lit metal building.

The Tractor Shed 252-sq ft three-sided covered storage building currently used for tractor implements.

The Storage Shed 528-sq ft covered area adjacent to the Shop.

The Horse Building 288-sq ft covered three-horse stable with water and pen adjacent to the Shop.

A five-router Wi-Fi system provides connection throughout the ranch center. Other improvements include three RV power hookup spaces in the ranch center, an outhouse building, pumphouse structures and well covers. Building and other square footages are approximate.

Recreation

Outdoor activity opportunities on the property and in the region include, hunting, fishing, ATV, mountain biking, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, horseback riding and more. Other activities are available in the surrounding hills, mountains, lakes, rivers and streams of the Sierra Nevada. Moccasin Rec. Area at Lake Don Pedro is a 30-min drive west on CA-120 with Melones Reservoir a short distance further to the north. South of Don Pedro you’ll find Horseshoe Bend Rec. Area at Lake McClure offering boating, watersports and fishing for multiple species. The nearby Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced Rivers provide excellent fly-fishing. 30-miles east on CA-120 you will find yourself in Yosemite, one of the most unique and picturesque National Parks in the US. Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, biological diversity, including unparalleled hiking, camping, fishing and sightseeing. Closer to the ranch, the historic community of Groveland provides a step back in time with a variety of shops, restaurants, hotels and premier golf and dining at Pine Mountain Lake. Go to Visit Tuolumne’s website for more information.

Agriculture

With its great water supply and fertile soil, the property is well suited for horse and cattle grazing with additional farm/ag opportunities.

Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources

Six natural springs are on the property, including a year-around water source and ponds, providing plentiful water for livestock and wildlife. There are five wells, including one with a solar powered pump and two 900-gal tanks, and livestock troughs. The tanks currently provide gravity fed water supply.

Region & Climate

Groveland, home of the Iron Door Saloon California’s oldest continuously running saloon and the neighboring communities in Tuolumne County offer year-round residents and visitors exceptional climate and weather. The region boasts some of the most sun-days in the area by being above the fog line and below most heavy snowfall areas.

History

Groveland and Big Oak Flat were originally part of a small placer mining area discovered by James D. Savage, a California pioneer of 1846. The gold was first found in the waterway later named Rattlesnake Creek, near Big Oak Flat. Both towns are located at 3000 elevation along Highway 120, on the way to Yosemite National Park. State Highway 120 is the only road that links the towns and settlements from Oakdale and across the Sierra’s Tioga Pass. Savage founded the towns of Big Oak Flat and Garrote (now Groveland), then collectively known as Savages Diggings in 1849. Big Oak Flat got its name from a large oak located there. The Groveland section of the camp was named Garrote from its reputation of swift and hard justice by way of hangings. Chronic water shortages that had limited the areas growth were alleviated in 1860 when the Golden Rock Ditch was built. It took water from the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, near Harden Flat, and brought it by ditch, flume, and inverted siphon to Second Garrote, Garrote/Groveland, and Big Oak Flat. In the 1850s, a wagon road was built from the paddle-wheel steamer docks in Stockton to service the gold mining towns of Garrote and Big Oak Flat. Hydraulic mining was introduced, but gold deposits were soon depleted. After a major fire in October 1863, Big Oak Flat burned down and its incorporation was abolished. In 1874, the Big Oak Flat Road to Yosemite was completed as a tourism and freight route linking the San Joaquin River docks in Stockton and the Yosemite Valley. Passing through Big Oak Flat and Garrote, the road, now largely Highway 120 in Tuolumne County, became and remains an important factor in the vitality of the region. Seeking respectability, area residents renamed Garrote to Groveland in 1875. In the late 1890s, Groveland had a second boom with deep shaft quartz mines and stamping operations. As mining profitability declined again, a new kind of boom started. The large Hetch Hetchy water project’s headquarters was in Groveland from 1915 to 1925. The City and County of San Francisco had gained generous rights to the Tuolumne River watershed in 1910 and set its sights on damming the main Tuolumne River as it meandered through Hetch Hetchy, a wide glacial cut valley almost as grand as Yosemite. O’Shanghnessey Dam, a key feature of the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power project, was constructed at Hetch Hetchy. Before the actual dam construction could get underway, the San Francisco project built the Hetch Hetchy Railroad extending from the Sierra Railway at the Hetch Hetchy Junction, fifteen miles west of Jamestown, and continuing to the dam site. The railroad carried cement, materials, and workers to the dam site. Maintenance shops were also centered at Groveland. Miles of tunnels were drilled to carry the water 150 miles to reservoirs in the Bay Area. Evidence of the Hetch Hetchy project can be seen along Highway 120 where four large penstocks descend to Moccasin, adjacent to Priest Grade.

Source: Tuolumne County Historical Society

Location

Groveland is in Tuolumne County along CA-120. The ranch is roughly halfway between Jamestown/Sonora area to the north and Coulterville to the south. Groveland and the nearby towns and communities provide plentiful shopping, dining and other resources and amenities to residents, along with close access to Yosemite National Park. Numerous international airports are a few hours drive to the west, north and south. See the downloadable Regional Map for more information.