Half Moon Bay staff and residents back Seahorse Ranch; council asks staff to return with revised license and safety checks

The Half Moon Bay City Council on Oct. 21 discussed a proposed five‑year extension of a license agreement with Seahorse Ranch, the commercial operator that runs trail and Poplar Beach rides, and asked staff to return with revised contract language incorporating council feedback on safety and maintenance.

City staff summarized history and operations: Seahorse Ranch’s agreement that expires at the end of 2025 allows commercial beach rides from the ranch’s trail across open space to Poplar Beach. Staff told the council that complaints that prompted past changes diminished after agreement terms adopted in 2020 and that the city and operator have worked cooperatively since then. Staff proposed reducing the concession fee from 5% of gross receipts to 3% of gross receipts with a 3% annual escalator to reflect rising operating costs and reduced ride windows due to off‑leash dog conflicts.

Willa Chapman, owner/operator of Seahorse Ranch, told the council the business draws a broad set of customers — local youth groups, tourists, Silicon Valley visitors and international groups — and that rising costs for feed, labor and insurance have made operations more challenging. "My main focus is safety," she said, noting the ranch performs fence and safety checks. She asked the city to consider a reduced fee to help sustain the operation (02:07:46).

Multiple community speakers urged support for Seahorse Ranch because of its educational programs and tourism value. Joaquin Jimenez recounted his long relationship with the ranch and its role in youth programming; Visit Half Moon Bay’s CEO and the Coastside Horse Council also described economic and recreational benefits.

Nancy Fontana asked the council to include a firm inspection requirement after recounting a fatal crash 33 years earlier in which escaped horses were involved. She requested contractual language requiring routine fence inspections and prompt corrective action; council members supported adding an annual inspection or similar clause to the license.

Council members praised Seahorse Ranch’s management and the local economic benefits but asked staff to add explicit language on manure management for shared access points and an annual fencing/inspection clause. Staff said they would revise the draft agreement and return to the council, likely on Nov. 4. No final license was approved at this meeting.

Clarifying details provided during the meeting: Seahorse Ranch historically paid 5% of gross receipts; staff and the operator proposed reducing that to 3% with a 3% yearly escalator; the city’s Poplar Beach vertical access and the informal "slot" are shared by commercial and private riders and are monitored for erosion and safety.