Rancho Grande | 200-Acre Working Resort Ranch (Sold)
Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley CA 93023
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Meander. Stroll. Mosey. That is what you will be inclined to do as soon as you set foot on historic Rancho Grande, which might be just 15 miles from Ojai, but feels like you are a world away. Here you can meander through the hills on horseback, take a moonlight stroll around Upper Lake and mosey up to the barbecue grill for some home-cooked vittles before turning in for the night.
There are no city lights, sounds of traffic or nearby neighbors on this approximately 200-acre piece of back country heaven. Instead, you will find cattle, horses, fishing lakes, open land and cabins that perfectly balance rustic charm and modern comforts.
Located in the secluded back country of the Rose Valley Recreation Area in the Los Padres National Forest, visiting Rancho Grande is a bit like being transported back to the Old West – but with modern conveniences. However, it is just a short drive from the village of Ojai – just in case visiting city folk need to pick up some organic produce at the farmers market or take in a little arts and culture, fine dining or boutique shopping.
There are no city lights, sounds of traffic or nearby neighbors on this approximately 200-acre piece of back country heaven. Instead, you will find cattle, horses, fishing lakes, open land and cabins that perfectly balance rustic charm and modern comforts.
Located in the secluded back country of the Rose Valley Recreation Area in the Los Padres National Forest, visiting Rancho Grande is a bit like being transported back to the Old West – but with modern conveniences. However, it is just a short drive from the village of Ojai – just in case visiting city folk need to pick up some organic produce at the farmers market or take in a little arts and culture, fine dining or boutique shopping.
This working ranch was built in the 1800s, and original buildings dot the landscape, including the Rose Valley School House, which has been transformed into a guest cabin, and the original home, which has been updated with modern comforts and is now known as The Lodge. Another of the original buildings is now used as a central power station for this off-grid ranch and houses the batteries for the solar panel system and the back-up generator.
From the ranch, you can explore the surrounding mountains on the Nordhoff Ridge Trail, Howard Creek Trail or Piedra Blanca Trail. On the ranch, you can live out just about any Old West dream, including hosting a barn dance in The Rock Room event hall, picking apples from trees planted in the 1800s, fishing or swimming in one of the three spring-fed lakes, rounding up cattle or telling tall tales around a campfire.
Of course, if you make this turn-key investment your country escape from the stress of city life, you might just want to kick off your boots and cozy up in front of the wood-burning stove with your favorite Louis L’Amour novel.
From the ranch, you can explore the surrounding mountains on the Nordhoff Ridge Trail, Howard Creek Trail or Piedra Blanca Trail. On the ranch, you can live out just about any Old West dream, including hosting a barn dance in The Rock Room event hall, picking apples from trees planted in the 1800s, fishing or swimming in one of the three spring-fed lakes, rounding up cattle or telling tall tales around a campfire.
Of course, if you make this turn-key investment your country escape from the stress of city life, you might just want to kick off your boots and cozy up in front of the wood-burning stove with your favorite Louis L’Amour novel.
The Lodge
This large log cabin was one of the original buildings on the property and dates back to the 1800s. The original brick chimney is still intact, and the original walls are made from hand-hewn logs and locally sourced stones from the ranch. Hardwood floors add to the cabin’s rustic charm, while there are some decidedly modern conveniences found in the kitchen, such as a dishwasher and a Viking range, oven and hood. A laundry room located off the kitchen in what was once a root cellar is another modern convenience that makes this authentic Old West cabin a comfortable home for short- or long-term guests.
In true log cabin fashion, there are few walls separating the common living areas and family-style sleeping areas, which makes this lodge a great choice for extended families on vacation or team building events. The main living area has a cozy, wood-burning stove set into the original fireplace, as well as a knotty pine, exposed beam ceiling that adds to its rustic charm. There is an additional seating area and partially separated sleeping area as well, which has a door to the expansive deck.
There is a second wood-burning stove in the large dining room, which currently can sit 16 people quite comfortably. In the modern bathroom, you will find a tile floor, tile counter top, knotty pine walls, a claw foot bathtub, a roomy tile shower with a bench seat, a separate lavatory with a pocket door, a built-in wardrobe and plenty of storage.
A 65-foot wrap-around deck is just outside for family barbecues, social gatherings or ending the day over a drink with friends as you take in the panoramic views.
In true log cabin fashion, there are few walls separating the common living areas and family-style sleeping areas, which makes this lodge a great choice for extended families on vacation or team building events. The main living area has a cozy, wood-burning stove set into the original fireplace, as well as a knotty pine, exposed beam ceiling that adds to its rustic charm. There is an additional seating area and partially separated sleeping area as well, which has a door to the expansive deck.
There is a second wood-burning stove in the large dining room, which currently can sit 16 people quite comfortably. In the modern bathroom, you will find a tile floor, tile counter top, knotty pine walls, a claw foot bathtub, a roomy tile shower with a bench seat, a separate lavatory with a pocket door, a built-in wardrobe and plenty of storage.
A 65-foot wrap-around deck is just outside for family barbecues, social gatherings or ending the day over a drink with friends as you take in the panoramic views.
The Cowboy Cabin
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin is also original to the property. Built in the 1800s, it was once the Rose Valley School House and is now a favorite with guests to the ranch. A river rock sitting wall surrounds the cabin, and a slate tile entryway brings you inside where you are enveloped in the rustic charm of the original knotty pine walls and beams and the original, refinished hardwood floor.
There is a cozy, wood-burning stove in the living room and a large wood deck looking out towards the corrals and pastures, which is the perfect place to linger over a cup of coffee as you watch the sunrise before saddling up for the day.
There is a cozy, wood-burning stove in the living room and a large wood deck looking out towards the corrals and pastures, which is the perfect place to linger over a cup of coffee as you watch the sunrise before saddling up for the day.
The Caretaker's House
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom caretaker’s house is home to the current ranch managers and is centrally located for easy access to the corrals, pastures and guest cabins. A river rock sitting wall borders the wrap-around porch that leads into the main living area where an open concept kitchen, dining area and living room with a wood-burning stove allow for comfortable everyday living.
The master suite has an office, en suite bathroom and large, walk-in closet, as well as a door leading to a covered patio area. The large guest bedroom has a wood-burning stove, views of the raised gardens beds out back and the mountain beyond, and a door to the wrap-around porch.
There is a large gravel parking area outside of the caretaker’s quarters, which includes covered parking stalls attached to a row of storage and workshop spaces.
The master suite has an office, en suite bathroom and large, walk-in closet, as well as a door leading to a covered patio area. The large guest bedroom has a wood-burning stove, views of the raised gardens beds out back and the mountain beyond, and a door to the wrap-around porch.
There is a large gravel parking area outside of the caretaker’s quarters, which includes covered parking stalls attached to a row of storage and workshop spaces.
The Rock Room Event Hall (aka The Bunkhouse)
This approximately 1,200-square-foot event hall is a stunning example of rustic elegance and is the perfect space for wedding receptions, corporate events, barn dances, yoga retreats or overnight events.
As you enter through the large, barn-style double doors, you are greeted with an exposed trestle ceiling, Old West-style light fixtures, rustic booths lining the walls and a beautiful, etched concrete floor. A wood-burning stove brings an element of intimacy to the space, and the locally sourced rock walls are original to the property, giving the bunkhouse even more of an Old West ambiance.
A set of guest restrooms is located just behind the event hall.
If you are interested in hosting outdoor events, either of the pole barns located near the Rock Room could be used for this purpose.
As you enter through the large, barn-style double doors, you are greeted with an exposed trestle ceiling, Old West-style light fixtures, rustic booths lining the walls and a beautiful, etched concrete floor. A wood-burning stove brings an element of intimacy to the space, and the locally sourced rock walls are original to the property, giving the bunkhouse even more of an Old West ambiance.
A set of guest restrooms is located just behind the event hall.
If you are interested in hosting outdoor events, either of the pole barns located near the Rock Room could be used for this purpose.
Outbuildings and Structures
There are numerous outbuildings and
structures on the property, including:
- Two barns for use as tack rooms or workshops
- Workshops adjacent to the caretaker’s house
- Two pole barns
- 12 corrals (12x12 and 24x24)
- Cross-fenced pastures
- Two large pipe corrals/pastures
- Cattle holding pens
- Cattle squeeze and calf squeeze
- Round pen
- Goat enclosure
- Wash racks
- Tie rails
- Small greenhouse
- Fishing dock at the upper lake
- Two wells with holding tanks
- Original brick building now used to house the back-up generator and batteries
Lakes
There are three spring-fed lakes on the ranch, generally referred to as Lower Lake, Middle Lake and Upper Lake. At Upper Lake, you will find his and hers restrooms, a dock for fishing or entertaining, a horseshoe pit, and hiking and riding trails. Pine trees and rock outcroppings make this a particularly scenic spot for picnicking or hosting events.
A picturesque creek runs along the road to Upper Lake and flows into Middle Lake, which is the perfect place for a picnic and has a large, flat area for guest parking or other uses.
All three lakes are an easy walk from the cabins, caretaker’s house, Rock Room event hall and corrals, but Lower Lake is closest in proximity, which makes this lake one of the first things your guests will see as they saunter outside in the morning to head to the corrals and saddle up for an early morning trail ride.
A picturesque creek runs along the road to Upper Lake and flows into Middle Lake, which is the perfect place for a picnic and has a large, flat area for guest parking or other uses.
All three lakes are an easy walk from the cabins, caretaker’s house, Rock Room event hall and corrals, but Lower Lake is closest in proximity, which makes this lake one of the first things your guests will see as they saunter outside in the morning to head to the corrals and saddle up for an early morning trail ride.
Off-Grid Living
Rancho Grande is a self-sustained property that is entirely off grid, which is sure to appeal to folks interested in living a greener lifestyle, as well as those who value self-sufficiency and sustainability.
The brick building shown in the above photo is one of the original structures on the property and was most likely used as a smokehouse by the original homesteaders. It now acts as the central power station for the ranch and houses the back-up generator and the batteries used with the solar panel system.
Solar panels on the roof of one of the pole barns provide energy for the ranch. There are also two wells with holding tanks and solar pumps, a propane tank and a septic tank. The current owners use a satellite Internet provider and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone service to stay in touch with the outside world.
For more information, or to schedule a private viewing, contact Nora today!
The brick building shown in the above photo is one of the original structures on the property and was most likely used as a smokehouse by the original homesteaders. It now acts as the central power station for the ranch and houses the back-up generator and the batteries used with the solar panel system.
Solar panels on the roof of one of the pole barns provide energy for the ranch. There are also two wells with holding tanks and solar pumps, a propane tank and a septic tank. The current owners use a satellite Internet provider and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone service to stay in touch with the outside world.
For more information, or to schedule a private viewing, contact Nora today!
This information may change without notice. All references to square footage, year built, price, features or availability are approximations. You are advised to independently verify the accuracy of all information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.