Apple co-founder sells giant Central California ranch for $35M — nature preserve planned
Apple co-founder Mike Markkula has sold his 14,000-acre ranch — the largest landholding in Carmel Valley, California — for $35 million to an environmental group that plans to turn the property into a nature preserve, according to a Hall and Hall representative.
Known as Rana Creek Ranch, the Monterey County property had been off market since December 2018 after previously listing for $59.95 million in 2013 and for $45 million in 2016. The last asking price was $37.5 million.
The working cattle ranch consists of a private lake, riding arena, two barns, 2,900-foot airplane landing strip and an understated 5,413-square-foot main house with a swimming pool
The main residence includes one bedroom and one full and two half bathrooms. There’s a covered walkway connecting to a two-bedroom guest wing. The ranch, which has offices and homes for its manager and staff, also contains a separate two-bedroom guesthouse.
The coastal compound is being sold to The Wildlands Conservancy with the environmental group planning to turn the 14,000-acre property into a nature preserve, according to Hall and Hall.
“The Golden State’s countryside doesn’t get any more idyllic than this,” the property listing stated.
The owner has extensive water rights and resources including several domestic, livestock and agricultural wells.
Markkula was an original Apple Computer investor and served as the company’s first chairman and second CEO.
The acquisition was completed on July 28, 2023, according to the conservancy. A mix of private and public funds went into the land purchase, including $24 million from the California Wildlife Conservation Board —the largest grant for acquisition the state agency has made in 2023 — and $2 million from the State Coastal Conservancy.
The Wildlands Conservancy is contributing $2.5 million, and another $6.5 million comes via a loan provided by Markkula, Monterey County Weekly reported.
