Excellent and friendly service. The staff was wonderful and the food and atmosphere were quite exceptional. I highly recommend this place to anyone seeking total rest and relaxation... read more

Sadly I just had Two muscles tear away from my hip bone trying to lift weights with a trainer. The doctors told me they aren't repairable as they are too fare retracted They told me it takes years to be that way and it must be from an old accident. My only accident is from this dude ranch from tying conch together with a telephone wire. Thanks Rankin. 60 years old walking with a cane due to your negligence. read more

This place is magic! I can with my family and it exceeded all of my expectations. Everybody who worked at the ranch was so friendly and accommodating. I can't wait to go back! read more

First ever visit to the ranch and was treated like we were a member of the family, at least a first cousin. They made sure we had everything we needed. They foster a complete social environment where everyone, guests included, are welcomed. The food was plentiful and delicious. Cabins were clean, neat and accommodating. Rode every day we were there and had loads of fun. Beautifull landscape even though it was late September. I can only imagine the beauty in the spring, with everything green and plush. read more

Rankin Ranch - Hillside above creek trail. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

First time visit for my wife and I while 3rd time visit for our daughter's family. Seven of us in two adjoining cabins which were very comfortable and well equipped. No TV and no Wi-Fi service, which was a blessing. Yes, you can connect with 2 hours each day if you really have to. Beautiful facility in the middle of nowhere except surrounded by the beauty of mountains, fields and cattle. What really stands out is the staff who really makes you feel like family. With about 30 guests they somehow remembered our names each time we saw them. Meals served outside and inside were very good with seconds always offered. Yes, even deserts. Special thanks to the kid staff who had some really creative and well organized projects. Rankin Ranch is a 5+ star experience. read more

We stayed in June 2023 with our two girls 9, 11. It was just a fantastic 4 days of fun, hospitality, and horses. Communication via email with Amanda, Shelby, and the team was excellent prior to the trip. Our cabin was clean and refreshed with towels and cleaned daily while we're out. There is small animal farm in centrally located near the ranch house. There are baby goats, a baby calf, donkeys, rabbits, chickens. My girls visited the farm 5-7x every day feeding and petting the animals. The animals are very friendly. The main highlight is the guided horse riding.You can schedule a morning ride and an afternoon ride. These are several trails about 45-60 min each; they'll all great. Our favorite was the trail next to the stream. The team at Rankin Ranch is excellent. They have camp counselors that lead activities and remember all the kids names. Amanda and Sarah are great hosts; they remember everyone's names and you see them checking in on everyone throughout the stay. We even met Mr. Bill Rankin himself; he drove the tractor pulling guests to Sunday lunch. Breakfast, lunch, dinner is served on site; the meals are good! We've met many other friendly families while we were here; many of them have been coming for years. Other highlights: fishing, archery, pool, game room, rankin bucks, kids crafts, and nightly games. The cabins are very comfortable with indoor restrooms. There's no cell coverage out there, no WiFi. But they have WiFi 3-5pm at the guest house/game room area. Nice to unplug. Overall, an extraordinary fun packed 4 days. It's a hidden gem in CA. It's a 6H+ drive for us from Sacramento. And we'll definitely be coming back. Tips: 1.) Bring your own shampoo and conditioner 2.) Bring wine to share during cocktail hour at 5pm 3.) Bring flashlight for night walking back to cabin 4.) Bring swim clothes/goggles if you want to swim in the pool read more

Rankin Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

We had 8 girlfriends stay in two cabins together at Rankin Ranch. We met and had wonderful conversations with Bill and Glenda Rankin and their three daughters and grandkids. This is a family run Ranch and they all work hard to make your stay absolutely wonderful. Along with three home cooked meals a day.......we swam, hiked, played Bingo and Horseshoes, sat by the Bon fire, learned Square dancing, went on a hayride and were lucky enough to ride horses twice a day! We will definitely be coming back and enjoying this lovely 31,000 acres of complete Heaven. Thank you Rankin Family read more

Rankin Ranch - Us girls with Mr. Rankin - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

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After a 3-night stay, there are not enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this place!. From the truly amazing view, the friendly service, the fun activities, everything was just wonderful. The Rankin Family and their staff were so welcoming. The wranglers did a great job during the horseback rides. Shout out to Shelbie, Destiny and Fernando! The food was great - Home cooked meals and awesome desserts. Hoping to become a regular customer like some of the other happy campers I met with there. read more

Loved, loved, loved our stay at Rankin Ranch. We loved it so much that we are going back toward the end of summer. We almost felt like family and definitely did not want to leave when it was time to go home. The hallmark of a great vacation is that you don't want it to end and when the time came for us to say goodbye none of us were ready to leave. I asked my son if he was born to live on a Ranch. He started to shake his head no, then stopped, thought about it, and then said "Yes, I was." with so much conviction. I took my time researching California dude ranches. There were a few that caught my eye, there was one much closer to us that I was initially going to go with, but they did not have availability over Spring break which is when we wanted to go. Rankin Ranch was a five hour trip for us, but they had availability so we snapped it up and I am so glad that it worked out as it did. Two big differences between Rankin and the other ranch I was looking at is that Rankin feeds their guests, not just breakfast, but all three meals everyday, and the meals are very good. The other ranch didn't make any meals. Rankin Ranch was also all inclusive. The food and all the activities, including 2 horse back rides a day, were all included in a very reasonable daily rate. The other ranch listed additional rates for horseback riding and many of the other activities they offered on top of pricey room rates. So about Rankin Ranch itself. The Rankin family and staff couldn't have been any friendlier or more welcoming. We had several conversations before we got there because my husband has significant dietary restrictions and he was very concerned about how he would eat while he was there (concerned enough that he brought alot of his own food). We were able to go over the restrictions with Sarah, the cook and her helper Mariah. Both were very thorough in making sure they understood what he needed. It turned out that he didn't need to bring his own food, because they were well prepared to cater to his needs. He was very impressed with the level of care and attention to detail he and his meals received. We encountered Amanda and Shelby most at the office and both were extremely pleasent and very helpful. They were happy to assist with keeping drinks in their refrigerator and sizing and handing out the riding helmets. We also had a slew of questions that they were ready and willing to answer. There was no wifi or cellular which might be enough to send some people into a full blown panic attack, but it was truly a total disconnect and reboot. The only time my phone saw any action was when I needed to snap a picture. I didn't even bother to bring my computer, and I always bring my computer on vacation, so that was saying something all by itself. The ranch itself was beautiful and peaceful. We enjoyed two separate hour long horse back rides a day while we were there (our 6 year old son was able to join us and did great). The wranglers Kellan, Brian, Fernando, Jim and Shelby were excellent! We were matched with perfect horses and they made sure we were at ease and comfortable and could manuver our horses before we hit the trail. While on the trail we had one wrangler leading us and another that rode along side checking in, and making sure everyone was doing well on the ride. By checking in, I don't mean asking if everything is OK, but rather carrying on conversations and getting to know us and alllowing us to get to know them. It was like hiking conversation with a friend, but we were on a horse, lol. In addition to riding horses, we spent time as a family playing games in the rec room or our 6 year son would join and enjoyed the children's activities with the counselors, Elizabeth, Lauren and Cassie. I was so impressed with the level of patience they had with the kids and how much fun the kids were having with them. When we weren't watching him enjoy the activities, my husband and I were able to enjoy hikes, sitting by the lake and the adult only social gathering on the patio. It is so rare where we get time to ourselves on a family vacation, so that time was very much appreciated. In truth the activities mentioned were enough to get us up early each day and keep us busy until dinner time. We didn't return to our cabin until the evening to change for dinner, then we didn't return again until bedtime. There were many things like fishing, creek play, swimming, and archery that we did not get around to this time and so many trails left to explore that we are already making plans for what we want to do for our next visit. read more

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Just came back from Rankin Ranch after a three day stay with my 9-year old grandson. It was a fabulous trip and such a great value. The ranch is rustic, quaint and comfortable. All the meals are yummy and included in the cost of your stay. There are so many activities and things to do at the ranch, which are also included. Horseback riding twice a day, archery, swimming, fishing, crafts for the kids, which are supervised by the amazing counselors, cocktail hour (adults only-BYOB), while the kids hang with the counselors. After dinner the kids feed all the animals, which is a big hit! A great recreation room with pool and foosball, games, puzzles, and organized competitions with the kids after dinner. The accommodations are great little cabins, with comfortable beds and housekeeping every day. The one recommendation I would make for the Ranch, is to add small refrigerators to the rooms. The staff is so welcoming and accommodating! The horse wrangles are wonderful and so great with the kids (and adults too). My grandson and I had a great time! When I asked him, after three days, if he was ready to go home, the answer was, "no"- which made MiMi happy! To get to the ranch, there will be about a 9 mile winding road, but I'm a grandma, and I didn't get freaked out, so it can't be that bad :), but just be aware. I would highly recommend Rankin Ranch! read more

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There are not words to express how grateful I am for the wonderful experience that my family had at the Rankin Ranch. This is truly a family run ranch, and families don't get much more gracious, kind, or hospitable than the Rankins. I had never seen any accommodation that had such high reviews both on here and on Trip Advisor. I was skeptical because some of the photos of the accommodations or of the ranch looked very out of date. I can assure you that as people who love their creature comforts, the Ranch is the perfect combination of comfortable accommodations while letting you know that you are actually staying at a working ranch. Our daughter is 6 and loves horses, and this was the perfect trip for her. We were worried because she doesn't have much riding experience (two weeks at a horse camp), but the horse wranglers were amazing and taught her and my wife (zero riding experience) everything they needed to know to go out on two rides a day over the beautiful terrain. By the end, they were both trotting over the terrain on their horses. The food is amazing! We actually bought their cookbook so we can make it at home. The animals are very well taken care of and our daughter loved tending to them during the animal care time at 6:00 each day. We didn't really understand going in, how well scheduled the activities are for kids. Everyday there is a schedule of activities for kids and the staff keeps them busy with great fun all day (when they're not out riding). There are a ton of things for adults to do: pool, foosball, table tennis, archery, sports, a swimming pool (we didn't use because it was still too cold). There are also great hikes nearby through lovely valleys and hills. There is a stocked trout pond and stream. We caught a five pound rainbow trout, which was a blast. The Ranch cook even prepared it for us. As busy LA people, the thought of not having internet or phone service for a period of time sounded impossible, but I was actually quite grateful to be able to completely disconnect. For two hours a day, they have satellite internet, and this was more than enough for me to check my work email and respond as necessary. We loved the fact that our daughter wasn't on her Ipad or switch at all. A couple of notes: 1. Best bet on pricing is to call. The pricing page on the website is confusing. Keep in mind that everything is included in that price. Although, you should tip the staff at the end, they really do go above and beyond. 2. Bring alcohol. The Ranch doesn't provide it, but you can bring your own and share at the cocktail hour. This is a great way to meet people. We were blessed with a great selection of other guests while we were there and you wind up spending a decent amount of time with them during the activities and the riding (particularly the kids). If I had to guess, there are maybe a total of 10-14 rooms, so its just the right amount of people to keep it fun without being a crowd. 3. We sprang for the upgraded room and the view alone is worth it, plus it's nice to have a fridge. That said, the other guests who didn't do so seemed perfectly happy. If you have the money, I would recommend doing it. 4. Definitely book your stay such that you can do the hay ride and BBQ. It was fantastic. I know that this review sounds hokey, but I can't possibly express what an amazing and fulfilling time we had at the Ranch. We will be back! read more

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Wow, I must say I was completely surprised at how great this experience was. First, the Rankin family makes everybody feel like family visiting . Owning a horse farm myself for many years, I expected hack horses and was pleased at the great quality of horses they had there,. Food was excellent , cabins were cute and very clean. All the staff was wonderful but two special shout outs to Kellin and Jerry. They both made sure all our wants and needs were being met. I highly suggest this ranch for anyone needing to " unplug" . To be honest at first I was a bit freaked out when I heard they had limited Wifi hours, but the entire point of this trip was for me not to be bothered by my work & clients. We are already making plans to take some friends back up there before the season ends. We took some amazing photos and I think we will become regulars for years to come. read more

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What an amazing experience! They certainly aim to please here! Even during the pre-planning they accommodated every need. Answered every question and were able to make some special arrangements for our group. Upon arrival they managed to exceed our expectations. We were greeted with open arms. Felt like family from moment one. The cabins were cute, clean, quaint and air conditioned. Patio hour was amazing. Meeting the other guests was so cool. Each with different stories and backgrounds but it felt like they hand picked this group for us. They ring the dinner bell get you seated for dinner and the dinning room feels like you're truly at your families house. They plan every moment so well. You can get all the relaxation you can possibly want and enjoy all the well planned festivities. From breakfast to start the day, two wonderful offered horseback rides daily, BBQ night, hay rides, reptile education, horseshoe games, campfire s'mores, a game room and to top it off your free to swim in the well cleaned pool anytime. I can go on and on! I would give 11 stars if i could. The staff was top notch. Family run to say the least. You can't even tell the staff that isn't family as they all seem to care so much... Amanda, Sarah, Walker(insert a wink here)Dino, Fernando, Esperanza, Rudy, Lettie, Ian, I mean there are so many to name and all so wonderful. A special thanks to two amazing woman I hope to get the pleasure to have in my life for a long time. Marie and Shelby you made my stay something extra! Oh and a shout out to my favorite horse Hollywood ( you took great care of me on each ride). Thank you all... The only possible thing they can improve would be the food but honestly who needs to eat when you're so full on the life experience you're in the middle of... Loved it all. Thanks Rankin Ranch for giving us great lifetime memories. read more

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I wish I could give this place 10 stars! The hospitality and kindness of the staff matched with the picturesque views and disconnect from technology has made this our family's favorite vacation so far and we will be back in years to come. We have a teenager, a four-year-old, and a 1-year-old and there was something for all ages here. The teenager spent time reliving her youth, our four-year-old got to feel independent during the children's program, and our son fell in love with Shelby during babysitting so that my husband and I could enjoy horseback riding together without worry. They even made our daughter a special birthday cake surprise to celebrate her birthday and she was tickled pink! The cabin's were impeccably clean, and the food was delicious. Don't worry about getting bored without TV's or cell phones because there is always something for you to do at the ranch. Thank you for treating us with suck kindness and genuinely caring about our happiness and enjoyment at the ranch. We hope to see you again soon! read more

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Our stay at the Rankin Ranch could not have been more perfect. We felt so at home and we enjoyed all the activities they had to offer. Amanda bit me :) read more

This was my first ever experience with an American guest ranch. I am very grateful to Sarah, Amanda, Shelby, Zac and all other farmers' family members - including Rosie, the dog that showed us direction and cleared the way from strangers in every single horseback ride or tractor ride :) - for the warm welcome, and for caring about my safety on the winding road towards the ranch (checking out by phone now and then), and for serving individual meal for me when I was late (most of times :) ), and for the unforgivable horseback rides and caring guidances. The BBQ evening with yummy food, horseshoe pitching game and the drop-in from grazing horses was full of serenity and such special atmosphere that we knew - good people live here and run this blessed place. Bill Rankin who joined us on one last breakfast was so nice to talk with! read more

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A truly unique and amazing experience. It really feels like your visiting family, riding horses, swimming and completely escaping from life for a few days (no internet or phone connections). It really allows you to enjoy every moment of nature and all the features the Rankin Ranch has to offer. The staff and everyone are very friendly, polite and also professional and skilled at what they do. My family expects to return here for sure. read more

During this strange year, there is no better place to get away than Rankin Ranch. I took my teenage girls and a friend there and we had a wonderful time. This is about our 5th time to Rankin Ranch, but it stood out as the remote location and disconnection from the grid was never more welcome. The Rankins treat everyone like family and the location is a slice of heaven on earth. What do teens do without Internet? How about Foosball, horseback riding, trout fishing (we caught 8 rainbows), shuffle board, pool, table tennis, board games, puzzles, fire pit with smores, and feeding/playing with cats, dogs, goats, sheep, chickens, mini pony, burro, the list goes on. The horseback riding was amazing - through green fields filled with wildflowers at this time of year. It's not inexpensive, but for our family the memories at Rankin Ranch are among our most treasured. Don't miss it! read more

Rankin Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

Early Sunday morning I packed the wife and kids into the car and headed north from Los Angeles on the I5. Winding thru the familiar route past pyramid lake and Tejon ranch we descended down the grapevine and exited Leval road to head east into unfamiliar country. Thru the the flat lands painted with vineyards, pomegranate tree and various other produce we start to climb up the Tehachapi mountains. The golden kissed mountains reveal expansive views of the central valley. Cresting the summit and meandering down into the Walker Basin was truly magical. In less then 21/2 hours we had not only traveled from one of the biggest cities in the country but we had also traveled to a different world and time. We turned off Caliente Bodfish Rd down the well marked dirt road and had arrived at Rankin Ranch. We parked and walked up not knowing what to expect since we were roped into this adventure by friends who had come here previously. Walking into the office we were warmly greeted by Amanda and given the run down on what to expect and the list of activities. The kids program had lots of activities and the we got a good idea of what to expect during our 2 night stay. We met a couple of other guests staying at the ranch and starting to feel pretty comfortable with this whole cruise-ship on land style trip. We freshen up and climbed into the large hay filled trailer that was to take us to the meadow. Since we arrived early on Sunday so we could participle in the hay ride and a BBQ in the meadow (extra charge) this was going to be our first taste of Rankin Ranch. The hay ride out was ok, it was a little hot reaching mid to high 90s. The meadow had a nice shaded grove of trees creating a nestled picnic area for people to hang out and enjoy lunch. The staff was very nice, the counselors for the kids program made a point to engage our kids and get them comfortable. The BBQ food was good- burgers potato salad, chili, fruit and other such things. The kids explored a little and were starting to lose the "it's smells weird" or "why are the cows looking at me" attitude. After a sad performance in the horse shoe tournament we headed back on the hay ride with a nice afternoon breeze making it much more enjoyable. We also got to know some of our fellow guests a little more on the ride. We got our cabin assignment when we got back since check in time was 3, our cabin wasn't ready when we arrived early to attend the BBQ which was all to be expected and told to us upfront. We headed up to our cabin excited to see what the accommodations would be. The nice sized cabin had a full bed, a twin bed, a twin day bed and a trundle. Plenty of space for the 4 of us. It was clean, comfortable and exactly what we expected for a cabin. The air conditioner worked very well and was needed during the 90+ degree days, but at night the temp drops down into the 50's so opening the windows worked perfectly. There was no fridge in our unit so we had given our wine to the Amanda to put in their fridge so it would be chilled for social hour (more later). After a forced nap and being verbal berated by my youngest I was in much need of some adult time. Bring on the social hour! The kids counselors whisk your kids away for some fun activities so you can go to the social hour and share your wine, beer or booze with friends and new acquaintances. This was a real fun way to let loose and strike up conversations with the other guests. This hour of delight soon comes to an end when the kids get to ring the dinner bell. Kids can be sat with the family or with counselors. The food enjoyable more like eating at your friends house then a restaurant which in a lot of ways added to the feel that we were actually guests of the Rankin family. After dinner one night we played bingo which was an excellent mixture and wholesome family fun the second night they had a reptile guy bring snakes and lizards. Sleeping in a comfortable bed with cool crisp FRESH air and being woken up to roosters saying "im awake how-bout-you" was pretty special and a memory I think both my girls will remember. The kids activities kept the kids busy while the wife and I got to do a few horse back rides. The horses are magnificent! They are extremely well cared for and everyone seemed extremely happy and healthy. I had the pleasure of riding two different horses on my three rides. Phantom and Big Bubba both really special creatures with different and lovely personalities. I think I am truly changed by this trip and can 100% see why there are horse people in this world. They are powerful, beautiful, sensitive and intelligent and it was a real delight to get to know two of them. The trip was basically a cycle of rest, ride, read, rinse, repeat- with some eating and drinking mixed in. Other things of note/ tips: The pool was fun, shaded and heated to a nice temperature. Bring bug spray and sun screen. The staff is great- bring cash to tip at the end. Bring wine for social hour dinner read more

We had a great week at the ranch with our teenage boys. They loved all the animals, going for fun trail rides, playing pool and games. We all enjoyed quality family time and a slower pace of living. The food was outstanding, cabins were comfortable and everybody at the ranch was super sweet, helpful and caring. We loved our stay and hope to return soon!! read more

Rankin Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

Rankin Ranch is the perfect vacation destination for a single mom and her kid(s). The beautiful scenery and wide open spaces allow a freedom that is unavailable in the big city. The accommodations are comfortable and provide a sense of security that I just don't feel while camping. My kid got along well with the other kids which made it even more relaxing for me. This place is a California treasure and I cannot wait to go back! read more

So relaxing! No tv, no phones, no Internet. We only spent 1 night but it felt like several days. read more

Rankin Ranch - On the hay ride - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

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Husband and I celebrated our Anniversary at the ranch. It was our first visit here so we had no idea what to expect. We were blown away by the hospitality of the staff AND the guests. Everyone and everything was AH-MAZING! We immediately felt like family complete with anniversary cake and singing on our first night. Great getaway from the fast crazy life we live. No phones, no internet, no drama. Great way to reset your brain. I had not been on a horse in 17 years and the wranglers made me feel so comfortable as if it had just been 17 hours since my last ride. Everyone needs to add this to your bucket list. I am convinced this is one of California's best kept secrets. My only regret is we did not stay longer. Can't wait to go back! read more

Rankin Ranch - Afternoon ride thru the mountains with guests and our amazing wranglers. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Caliente, California

Rankin Ranch is truly my most favorite place on this Earth. I started visiting each Summer when I was 10 years old -- my parents wouldn't buy me a horse, but decided a week at a dude ranch would have to suffice. And boy, did it! We kept coming back year after year, until I was old enough to start paying my own way, even after college. I'm 37 now... and I still cry when I have to hug the Rankins goodbye and leave for home. They have become like family to me, and that they share their home with so many families each year is just such a gift!! For kids, this place is just so magical in it's simplicity: all kinds of indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, farm animals, wild animals, creeks, pool, new friends... and of course, the twice-daily horseback rides! For grown-ups, there are plenty of activities (hiking, fishing, ping-pong, swimming, games...) or there is the opportunity for some peaceful relaxation in a beautiful environment far from the stresses of "real life". This is a working cattle ranch as well -- and these are truly happy cows to be able to live here! read more

Let me start by saying that this is the warmest and friendliest place that our family has ever been to! Every single staff member and family owners are exceptionally kind people. The ranch is a fabulous place for all ages. We took our 19 and 17-year-old kids with us and they had an amazing time! There are children's , adult and family activities. Each and every day there is a schedule/list of activities and events throughout the day that you are welcomed and encouraged to participate but not mandatory. There are no televisions no telephone service and minimal Internet which forces you to relax and connect with your family and the other people around you which was a blessing since we were traveling with two teenagers :-) I highly recommend the Rankin ranch for anyone that is looking for a secluded/amazing vacation/getaway! I can't wait to come back! read more

I have to admit that I was a little leary about the price, but this place is worth every single penny & more. We will never forget our visit there and are saving our money to come back as soon as we can. Everything about the place (even during this pandemic where they had to change some things) was fantastic. You cannot beat the view at this ranch, the staff was so friendly and willing to help and even the ones that are working the ranch would stop and chat and answer questions. Our granddaughter will never forget her 13th birthday and is already asking when we can go back. The cabins are so clean, the food was always delicious (I sometimes felt like they were fattening us up like their cattle) and the horses are well taken care of. During the summer months, it looks like there is a bit more activity and it sounded like they take the kids all day if you like. We were duly impressed with this ranch and cannot wait to go back. Can't thank the staff, wranglers and even the owners that came down and talked with us like we were family. read more

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Wow what an amazing and so fun and beautiful place to be . My daughter and I had the best time!! We were welcomed with the most friendliest staff ,ranch hands, and family members. The cabins are rustic and very cute and very clean. The food is delicious and home cooked. The animals are adorable and so friendly and very loving. The horse back riding was absolutely beautiful and amazing views with the BEST WRANGLERS and so much fun. The horses were so sweet and gentle. The games we played with other families and staff members brought so many laughs and fun memories. The hay ride was so relaxing and the bbq after the gride was so fun and so delicious We made lifetime friends in one weekend and my daughter and I had the best memories to share and look back on for years. We want to say thank you Rankin Ranch for making our celebration of Gabby's 16th and her mom's 52nd birthday one of the BEST EVER read more

I love the rankin ranch. The staff were so accommodating, the food was amazing, I loved the cookouts, the horseshoes, the trail rides and feeding of the baby animals the calf and baby goats were my favorites. Great spot to get away from it all. Cant wait to bring my husband and my boys! read more

This is a family owned guest ranch with beautiful well-cared for animals and the best way to get in touch with reality. The family is more charming than could be imagined without experiencing it. The cowboys are handsome and helpful, the food is good and the accommodations quaint and clean. No TV, no internet, no newspapers - no distractions. I go as much as my busy life allows and it isn't enough. Go alone - take your family - it's a place you'll go back to visit as much as possible. read more

Let me first start this off by saying that I LOVE Rankin Ranch and the Rankin family themselves!! I have been coming to this ranch going on 10 years now with my dad and my brother to meet up with family friends every year (we all met here!!). I'm 23 and my brother is 20, so I guess you could say that the fact that we still come back after so long and love it means a lot. We've become close with the Rankins and consider them like family and are welcomed back as family to them every year we are there. The outrageous amount of kindness, generosity, and love the Rankins hold for their ranch, their guests, everything, is amazing. It always feels like home. The food is wonderful, Mexican food night is my favorite, and the home cooked factor is a HUGE plus!! You'll never go hungry here! The landscape, rolling hillsides, fields, and pastures are BREATHTAKING. I Have witnessed some of the most gorgeous sunsets and sunrises here at Rankin Ranch. It's wonderful to be surrounded by fresh country air, solid earth, greenery, and that good ole' back road smell that you can't find anywhere else in the world beside your favorite countryside. There are tons of activities for all ages here, from a kids "camp" to talents shows, from happy hour to horseback riding and fishing, you won't be bored with all the things they offer to occupy your time. The horses are amazing, my favorite being Bear (Teddy Bear, who I've ridden for almost every ride the past ten years but seems to have been retired to the kids horses), and each one is sweet as can be and is usually fitted for your liking or riding style. I have never had a horse I didn't like! Galloping the Old Saw Mill Trail is one of my favorites and the Sunrise Ride is to die for; it's early but so amazingly worth it! The horseshoe tournament and BBQ Dinner in the meadow is a great way to bond with the people you meet and spend time with your family and lounge with the staff. You will never be greeted or talked to by any of the Rankins or staff without a smile on their face, it's so pleasant and warm to see such happy people loving what they do and spending time with the guests. The cabins are so cute and comfy with their quilted beds and country decor, it's the perfect getaway for peace and quiet without the distraction of technology and every day life. A breath of fresh air and much needed time away when things get hectic. Each year I come back I literally am GIDDY with excitement, to me, it's like Christmas morning when you're little in the form of horses, family time, and country everything. There has never been a time where I didn't want to go, and I expect that I will be going for a very long time and cannot wait to introduce my family and kids, whenever that is, to this wonderful place. It has become a vacation we treasure every year and look forward to. The first week of August, with the Rankins, our family friends, and the ranch is probably my favorite week of the year. And that still stands even now, ten years later, and I know it will for many more to come. I can't wait to be back again next year!! We love and miss you, Rankins! Much love, The Walsh's!! read more

Just got back from the most amazing vacation at Rankin Ranch. I actually was there as a child and now returned 30 years with my children and it was just as I remembered it. The Rankin's and all the staff go above and beyond to care for their guests. They are some of the kindest people I have ever met. The adults and my 7 year-old were able to go on two horse rides per day while my 5 year old stayed behind with the kid counselors who were some of the sweetest and best kid counselors I have ever met. They not only entertained the kids with the most fun activities but they were constantly checking in with me and making sure that if my child wasn't involved in an activity that he/she knew they could join in at any time. My daughter didn't want to leave and talks about going back to see "the girls" aka the counselors. The food was all delicious home cooked country food. The scenery is picturesque and there is no end to the activities and things you can do. They have entertainment every night and even had a reptile show our first night that the kids LOVED!!! This was my 3 time there but we were surrounded by other guest who had been there 5 years and even 19 years in a row. IF you are looking for a special and unique family vacation where you can unplug and spend quality time with nature you could not pick a better place than Rankin Ranch. I know that this was the first of many happy returns to the ranch. read more

I started going to Rankin Ranch for their Scrapbooking weekends on the recommendation of a friend. I joined the scrapbook buddies group 5 years ago and have returned every year since then. The scrapping tables and area around them give you plenty of room to spread out all of your supplies and I am usually able to complete an album during my stay. The home style and home cooked food is exceptional. My mouth is watering just thinking about the delicious meals served on these weekends. Just when you think you can't eat another bite, they bring out one of their amazing desserts and somehow you make room for just a little more. Each person gets their own cabin on the scrap booking weekends so you can scrap at your own pace. Sleep in if you like or get up early and start scrapping right away. If you want to take a break from sitting in front of the scrapbooking tables there is a beautiful landscape for taking walks or hiking. Typically these weekends go from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. They even send you off with a sack lunch for the road! This year (2010) they have started offering an extended weekend from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. I never thought I would want to spend 4 days in a row working on my scrapbook, but the thought of spending 4 days at Rankin Ranch makes me want to run out and book my weekend before they are sold out. While the scrapbooking amenities are great, that is not what earns Rankin Ranch 5 stars in my book. It is the people. The Rankin family takes you in and makes you feel like part of the family on every visit. The Rankin ladies that host the scrap booking weekends are warm and friendly. They go above and beyond to make your trip enjoyable and if you visit once, you are sure to return over and over again. After visiting the ranch for the scrap booking weekend and hearing about the dude ranch available in the spring and summer months I signed my family up for that as well. This summer will be our 4th year at the ranch and my family loves it! The kids talk about this trip all year and can't wait until summer so we can go again. I highly recommend this ranch for any of the trips that they have available. The hospitality of the Rankin family is unmatched and I assure you that if you make the first visit you will come back for more. read more

What a great place! Beautiful countryside, friendly family, clean facility, happy, healthy horses and animals all around. Great trails, knowledgeable staff, and superb food! This was a very relaxing vacation (aside from my car breaking down)! With that being said, Amanda was so helpful, reassuring and patient in assisting me in getting roadside assistance taken care of. Perfect location for families of all ages and abilities with horses! Will definitely be back! read more

I discovered Rankin Ranch on a fluke. I was flipping through the travel section of the Sunday LA Times and saw a story about a weekend trip to this ranch. I read it, thought, "Hey a nearby dude ranch, cool," and called to book a weekend in September. I didn't really know what to expect except I knew that the mountains above Bakersfield were beautiful, and I love to ride horses. I had some second thoughts when I got their brochure (more on that below) but I needed a break from a lot of things in my life at the time so I figured what the heck. What I discovered on arrival was the perfect respite from my hectic life. Besides being in just beautiful country the main reason that it is so blissful is that it has basically no contact with society. This drives some folks crazy - for me it's perfect! No cell phone service. No phones or TVs in the rooms, no Internet (OK the office broke down and got wireless - shh don't tell my office), radio service is spotty (XM seems to work well though). I find myself immediately relaxing as my car climbs the Grapevine, leaving LA. And at the point in the hills where my cell phone beeps "no service," it is like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I can just relax and "be" with no demands on my time from anyone. Then there are the people, a group who have become like family. I don't just mean the owners and their family - they all treat everyone like family the first time you come up to the ranch. But the ranch gets so much repeat business, with guests returning year in and year out on the same weekends, folks like me, that by now there is a core group of friends that are always there for each of my trips. One year my friend Claudia and I decided to go in May for my birthday instead of in September when we both usually go. Two of our friends from our September weekend overheard us talking about changing our trip, and showed up in May to help celebrate my birthday. And then there are the horses. Picture this. Its 6am - the sun is barely lighting the sky and you walk into the meadow and whistle. 30 horses respond - running through the ground fog, nipping each others butts, kicking and snorting as they run into the corral. A few of them walk over to the woman who whistled - who isn't the person who usually calls them in - because they figure that she may have carrots. And they're right. One, named Twiggy, slaps his heavy head over the woman's shoulder like a puppy dog - sniffing at her hair, waiting for his carrot - or three or four. That is a typical start to my day at the ranch. It only gets better from there. The rides are through beautiful country - the creek, the mountain behind the cabin or the meadows out where the cattle are grazing. The weather is usually beautiful and sunny - I can ride in a tee shirt in the morning and in a tank top in the afternoon. The days are peaceful and unhurried and perfect. Yep, bliss can be found a short drive from L.A. read more

I loved Rankin Ranch and so did my kids. This was our first time visiting Rankin Ranch. At first my kids were unsure about the ranch. But as soon as they started doing all of the activities they fell in love with the ranch. The food was delicious, everyone was extremely friendly, and the children's and adult activities were fantastic. We had a hard time leaving. We definitely plan on returning. read more

Rankin Ranch is AMAZING! My husband (Clive), 9 y/o daughter (Nicole) and I spent 3 days/ 2 nights there at the end of August. It was the best family vacation that we have ever had... thanks to the Rankin Family, the Rankin Staff/ Wrangler, and the Rankin horses, plus the property and the petting zoo!! Basically everything together made for a most memorable time! Nicole (and I) love horses, and the Staff, Family and Wranglers were all so kind to let her spend as much time with the horses as possible. She would get to the Barn before the sun rose from behind the mountains :) She enjoyed watching the horses come in from their night out at pasture. While it is not a guarantee, they were able to accommodate her horse request for each ride. And, as a horse rider/ owner... let me say that the horses were in immaculate condition in terms of their weight, coats, hooves, shoes, backs, etc. And this was at the end of the Season after lots of hours under saddle and possibly unbalanced riders, etc- and still the horses were great for how they looked (not sore) and acted (not barn sour). And all the tack was good... the saddles were well padded, and no horse was "over-bitted" or had "extra" things like tie-downs/ martingales. My daughter's horse was simply in a snaffle. The horses were just all well-trained and well-cared for. As a horse lover, and with some horse knowledge, this was just wonderful to see. Not only the horses, which is the primary reason we came, but also the property, the accommodations, and the food were also all great! We loved the petting zoo. And we had fun playing the many games around the property, taking walks, petting the cats, learning archery and enjoying the pool during the day, and then fun at the group-guest games during the evening. And the hay ride, complete with BBQ and horseshoe tournament, on the last day was a perfect ending to a magical stay. We will be back! My daughter was so happy, and my husband (who has a very high stress job) was able to relax! Both priceless! Thank you Rankin Ranch, the Svendsen family read more

Not really what I expected for the price, the people are nice and friendly but there was no fridge or marcowavies in the room, the pool wasn't heated when we went I really thought we were going to able to swim but didn't there is not really a adult patio party is more like people sitting in benches and just talking the food was good but they didn't have things that went together it was more like a bit of mixed things , there lunch was not great it felt like micro wave food the horse back riding and fishing was fun but that was about it I wish they had more things to do, and at least had some music so if you go make sure you take extra food and snacks and your own fridge because they don't provide that for you till dinner or lunch (:! read more

Absolutely wonderful dude ranch. The family and staff are welcoming and accommodating, the horse rides perfect for children and adults, the setting peaceful and the activities highly enjoyable. Perfect for families - there are counsellors for fun kid activities but nothing is too set in stone and nothing feels mandatory. Very relaxing. Great place all the way around. read more