Take the trail rather than the road for chaparral birding. Once on the ridge look up a lot for soaring birds. Also scan the hillsides for grassland species. Two farm ponds might harbor waterbirds in season. One is near the ranch buildings and probably requires a scope to see well. The other is just east of the summit, and allows a much closer approach. There is a thin grove of redwoods, without significant understory, just east of the ridge that might harbor birds of interest. Be sure to check the pockets of vegetation out of the wind, especially in migration.

Watch for soaring raptors, including hawks, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and California Condor (not always present). Grasslands can contain Burrowing Owl and interesting sparrows. The farm pond has included Hooded Merganser in some winters.

The Brazil Ranch is a separated unit of the Los Padres National Forest. It is public land, but with a grazing leaseback to an active cattle grazing operation. Previously this property was a private cattle ranch owned by the Brazil Family. Later owners included Alan Funt of "Candid Camera" fame. The property was slated for "development" into home sites, when the Trust For Public Land instead helped fund a purchase and transfer to the Los Padres National Forest.

The Ranch sits on a high ridge south of and above Bixby Canyon. Access is via foot only, on a road and trail that shoots steeply up the ridge from State Highway 1.

The area is subject to sometimes baffling and contradictory closure orders. When planning a trip here it is best to check ahead to confirm the trail is open.

The views on the way up and from the top of the ridge are splendid. It can be very cold and windy on the ridgetop, so always bring layers and more water than you think you need. There can be ticks and encroaching poison oak. The area is still actively grazed, so you may find yourself sharing space with cows. Walk past them gently and you won't cause each other any harm.

The unmarked access point is approximately .1 miles south of Bixby Bridge. Park in the wide pullout on the west side of Highway 1, carefully cross the highway, and enter via the southern gate turnstile--not the auto gate and paved road 100 yards north. The entrance meets the paved access road. One can walk to the crest of the ridge on the road, or, more desirable for habitat and birds, via the marked trail that makes its way to the same point on the ridge. The trail can sometimes be overgrown, but is generally clear.

Once attaining the ridge, the trail continues up the spine of the ridge. The paved road continues into the former ranch buildings, now administrative offices and USFS employee residences (off limits for public visit without special permission). The ridge trail heads up and up again, often very steeply. Eventually the trail breaks out of the coastal chaparral, passes through a ranch gate, and reaches the bare grassy slopes of the ridgetop, with a series of summits, the highest carrying the redundant name, "Cerro Hill."  The "trail" is a series of old farm roads and cattle paths that wind about. There is no trail marking or particular organization to the trails, but by simply keeping the ridgetop in mind, or underfoot, it is impossible to get lost.

The total one-way distance is approximately 2 miles, more if you wander about on the trails to take in the whole area (recommended).