Miles of beach given to Californians

One of Northern California's largest parcels of privately owned coastline -- 5 miles of rocky shoreline north of Santa Cruz -- is being given to the state in what conservationists call the biggest expansion of the region's public beaches in a generation.

Tucked among the rugged outcroppings of Coast Dairies Ranch are seven beaches popular with tourists and surfers who probably never knew they were trespassing. The ranch, about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, is seven times larger than Golden Gate Park, and its acquisition ensures public access to a nearly uninterrupted 13-mile stretch of coastline.