Nestled deep within the Los Padres
National Forest and surrounded by miles of pristine scenery, Rancho Oso is,
quite literally, a hidden gem.
But don’t expect a traditional camping experience: Rancho
Oso Guest Ranch and Stables includes the rugged nature of pitching one’s own
tent with full service cabins, children’s activities, live entertainment and
scenic guided trail rides.
The guest ranch is situated on 310 sprawling acres and
has access to miles of beautiful back country roads and trails. Located just
off Highway 154 on Paradise Road, Rancho Oso welcomes both overnight and day
guests, and it even has campsites available for those who wish to bring their
horses overnight.
There also are a wide variety of accommodations to choose
from, whether you prefer a covered wagon, cabin, or RV trailer. Rates start at
$69 per night and include access to all of the ranch’s amenities.
In addition to its appeal as a guest ranch, Ranch Oso
also offers horse boarding with full-time access to a farrier, veterinarian and
year-round RV storage.
No matter how you choose to enjoy Rancho Oso, there’s
something that will appeal to every member of the family.
Colorful
past
Rancho Oso certainly has an intriguing history.
More than 3,000 years ago, the same land was home to a
village of Chumash Indians. In fact, archaeological excavations on the
campgrounds have unearthed arrowheads and other small artifacts, some of which
are now on display at the ranch.
Then, in 1845, the governor of Mexico granted a private
landowner a parcel of land that included what is now Rancho Oso. It was during
this period in time that the first building was constructed on the ranch, an
adobe building that is now used as the membership office.
For the next few decades the land passed through several
owners before the United Sates government took it over.
Then, in 1911, the Rancho Oso property was purchased in
its entirety by a man named Edward W. Alexander. The patent for the land,
signed by Calvin Coolidge in 1926, is still on display at the ranch, said Bill
Krzyston, manager of Rancho Oso.
As a close friend of Henry Ford, Alexander was connected
to the social elite and Hollywood’s up and coming talent. The E.W. Ranch, as it
was called back then, hosted silent film stars such as Charlie Chaplain and
Buster Keaton in the still-standing Stone Lodge.
Alexander also is credited with building the Spring
House. The structure, which is situated over a spring, creates a natural
cooling process that makes storing perishables possible. It also is believed
that the bars on the widow of the Spring House are actually axles from a Ford
Model T.
Following Alexander’s death, the ranch’s name was changed
ever time it changed owners. Finally, in 1949, the ranch was given the name it
carries today, which means “bear ranch” in Spanish.
The parcel was used as a private residence until the mid
1980s, when its use became solely for guests. Rancho Oso continues to undergo
changes to this very day, always keeping in mind its mission to be a desirable
destination for families, friends and horses.
Some
highlights
For the younger set, there are carnivals, ice cream
socials, crafts, scavenger hunts, a wagon ride, and a family lodge.
Adults can socialize and unwind in an adults-only lodge,
business center, wine tasting room, pool table, library, and at theme parties,
depending on the time of year.
Every weekend, guests are invited to attend various demonstrations
to show what ranching is like, Krzyston said.
One such demonstration is the Stock Dog Trial with Adrian
Lopez.
With years of experience in livestock management, Lopez
works with dogs and their owners to get “the least amount of commotion to get
from point A to point B,” he said.
Another popular attraction is the Bucking Bull
Demonstration, in which trainers use positive reinforcement to teach bulls to “lose
their rider.”
“We want them to buck and spin and get rid of the rider.
That’s what the rodeo’s about,” said Krzyston. “That gets a little wild
sometimes.”
It sure does. After tossing their fake riders, made from
teddy bears, the bulls often tear around the corral before settling down. The
hotter they are, the more valuable the bulls will be down the road.
“It has to do with what’s inside them; we don’t put what’s
inside them,” Krzyston said, while witnessing a particularly feisty bull named
Little Red showcase his talents.
Marilyn Hart, who comes to Rancho Oso every year with a
camping group called the Santa Ynez Wagonairs, particularly enjoys watching the
bucking bulls.
“We’ve seen this demonstration before and it’s always
fun,” she said.
The helpful staff, which is always on hand to assist
guests with whatever they may need, is an asset to the ranch, and the workers
enjoy the place.
“I like it here,” said Linda Kelly, an employee of three
years. “It’s a lot of fun.”
A charming country store also adds to the ranch’s allure,
with friendly service in addition to camping necessities such as fishing
equipment, snacks, mementos and even DVD rentals.
There is a Sunday nondenominational church service in the
on-site chapel, barbeque dinners on the Stone Lodge patio and live
entertainment in the evenings.
The trail
The trails at Rancho Oso provide a window to the
breathtaking scenery within the surrounding Los Padres National Forest.
“This is how nature is meant to be seen, with the horse
doing all the work so you can see all the pretty things,” said Donna Brubaker, one
of the ranch’s experienced wranglers.
All of the ranch’s horses are dependable creatures,
compatible with even the most cautious rider.
Trail rides range from one to four hours, depending on
the experience level of the rider.
“There’s a trail that goes to Camino Cielo where you can
look out over the Pacific Ocean, and you could even ride all the way Cuyuma, if
you wanted to,” said Krzyston.
With rates starting at $40, trail rides are the best way
to experience and appreciate the beauty of Rancho Oso and the surrounding
national forest.
It also makes a great group activity.
Paula Iorio brought her daughter Christina, 11, and a
group of her friends on a trail ride to celebrate Christina’s birthday. The
girls were all smiles as wranglers Brubaker and Nancy O’Neill prepped the
horses before assisting each girl into the saddle.
“I used to come here when I was a little girl, and
nothing has changed much,” Iorio said. “Now I’m bringing my daughter to
experience it.”
Upcoming
events
On Feb. 28 and March 1, Rancho Oso will host the Wrangler
Classic, a stock dog trial, open to anyone. Participants will work either on
foot or by horse.
On May 9 and 10, the ranch will host the Catahoula dog
show. The dogs will be judged in confirmation, agility and their performance in
stock dog trials.
For more information on Rancho Oso, please call (805)
683-5686 or (805) 683-5110 or visit the Web site at www.rancho-oso.com.
Reach Brooke Matthews at info@syvjournal.com