[4] Cicindela ohlone is endemic to Santa Cruz County, California which is the southernmost habitat of tiger beetles in the purpurea group.

This soil becomes hard packed in late spring and summer which is an important feature for the activities of the beetle.

C. ohlone habitat is restricted to remnant patches of native grasslands on coastal terraces over a firm level substrate.

Paths used by hikers and mountain bikers are used by the beetle in their open space activities, such as attacking prey and mating.

[3]: 50344 One of the populations of C. ohlone is located in the grassland patch of Marshall field in the upper campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

[6] During C. ohlone mating season temporary fences have been put up to block off the trails to protect the beetles since 2003 on nearby California State Parks' property.

On both UC Santa Cruz and State Parks' property, controlled burns in this area have reduced the density of vegetation in an effort to provide better suited habitat for C. ohlone.

Another landowner purposefully removed cattle grazing in order to reduce habitat quality with the hope of more readily developing their land.

Finally, a private landowner destroyed acres of core habitat by developing a vineyard just before the species was listed.

Even conservation lands owners have added to the species' decline: one park agency spread gravel extensively over larval habitat of the species in an effort to 'improve' trails; still another agency removed horse grazing, re-routed public access, and stopped beneficial management practices, extirpating this important population.