Dan De Vaul, Founder of Sunny Acres Rehabilitation Property, Dies at 82

The 72-acre property has long served as a refuge for those in need of a second chance.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A blurred, out-of-focus photograph of a small cabin surrounded by greenery, conveying a sense of warmth, comfort, and sanctuary.The tranquil, restorative setting of Sunny Acres, a refuge for those in need of a second chance, lives on in the memories of those who found solace within its walls.Los Osos Today

Dan De Vaul, the founder and operator of Sunny Acres, a 72-acre rehabilitation property in Los Osos, California, passed away on March 6 at the age of 82. Sunny Acres has provided a refuge for decades for a few dozen residents, many of them registered sex offenders, people recovering from addiction, or those in need of a second chance. Despite facing legal challenges with San Luis Obispo County over the property's living conditions, De Vaul was remembered by those close to him as a man devoted to helping those society often overlooks.

Why it matters

Sunny Acres has been a controversial but vital resource in the San Luis Obispo community, offering housing and support services to marginalized individuals who often struggle to find stable living situations. De Vaul's passing raises questions about the future of the property and whether the mission he championed will continue under new ownership.

The details

Over the past two decades, De Vaul faced legal challenges with San Luis Obispo County, most notably in April 2022 when the county sued him over living conditions at Sunny Acres, citing concerns about health, safety, and illegal dwellings. In 2023, the California Receivership Group was appointed by the court to bring the property up to code, with plans to sell it to Restorative Partners, a nonprofit that provides services to individuals in custody and those released from San Luis Obispo County correctional facilities.

  • Dan De Vaul passed away on March 6, 2026.
  • In April 2022, San Luis Obispo County sued De Vaul over living conditions at Sunny Acres.
  • In 2023, the California Receivership Group was appointed to bring the property up to code.

The players

Dan De Vaul

The founder and operator of Sunny Acres, a 72-acre rehabilitation property in Los Osos, California, that has provided refuge for decades to those in need of a second chance.

Becky Jorgeson

A friend of De Vaul's and the founder of Hope's Village of SLO, who lived at Sunny Acres for several years and remembered De Vaul as a man devoted to helping those society often overlooks.

Mark Adams

The president of the California Receivership Group, which was appointed by the court to bring the Sunny Acres property up to code.

Sister Theresa Harpin

The executive director of Restorative Partners, a nonprofit that intends to use the Sunny Acres property as a campus for healing and restoration.

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What they’re saying

“He helped so many people. I mean, hundreds of people went through that place in the last 20 years. He was amazing, I don't know anybody who could do what he did.”

— Becky Jorgeson, Founder of Hope's Village of SLO

“It's really in the hands of the state government.”

— Mark Adams, President of the California Receivership Group

“I'm hoping it'll be a lot like Dan's except she serves felons and Dan served homeless people and 290s.”

— Becky Jorgeson, Founder of Hope's Village of SLO

What’s next

The sale of Sunny Acres to Restorative Partners is dependent on a state grant, and the nonprofit plans to use the property as a campus for healing and restoration.

The takeaway

The passing of Dan De Vaul, the visionary behind Sunny Acres, highlights the critical role that community-based rehabilitation programs can play in supporting marginalized individuals, even in the face of legal and regulatory challenges. As Sunny Acres transitions to new ownership, the community hopes the property will continue to embody De Vaul's mission of providing a second chance to those in need.