"Rickey got a big ranch. Rickey got a big bull. Rickey got horses. Rickey got chickens and…read moreeverything. And Rickey got a 20-gallon hat."―Rickey Henderson
The Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch (BGJR) ―try saying that 10× fast!― is a historic Ranch House and Barns built on the original Rancho de Santa Teresa sometime around 1885. Currently a part of the 1,600-acre Santa Teresa County Park, the BGJR is now a small museum, of sorts, that pays homage to the Valley's farming and Cattle Ranching industry.
Admission- Free!
Times- The Ranch site is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The Ranch House and Barn exhibits are open to the public Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Parking- Private lot with ×10 parking spots (×9 regular and ×1 ADA). There is also plenty of street parking available, as well.
Highlights and Fun Facts:
-Restrooms
-Access to the Joice Trail at the South end of the Ranch.
-Chickens!!!
-The BGR served as an active Cattle Ranch up until 1980.
-Because people lived in the house up until the '80s most of the historic period pieces inside the Ranch were purchased later to give the house a historic feel.
-The Ranch House is supposedly haunted! http://goo.gl/N5Mhpp
-The Barns are really cool and full of awesome antique farming implements.
-Make sure to do the short loop trail that extends East of the park and you'll be rewarded with a visit to the Santa Teresa Spring!
-The name is a combination of the original owner of Rancho Santa Teresa José Joaquin Bernal, whose granddaughter, Rufina, married Carlos Gulnac (who built the Ranch) and their daughter married Patrick Joice.
I really like the BGR and would highly recommend it for anyone with young kids, as it's a nice short adventure with lots to see in a short amount of time. The only reason I'm giving it 4-stars instead of 5 is because of the limited availability of the Ranch House and Barn Exhibits. Otherwise, definitely check it out if you're in the area.