What is there to do at the rancho?
If you're a ranch hand, there's always some work to do and time to relax.  If you're a visitor and if you're satisfied with meandering through wine country by day, enjoying great restaurants or a BBQ and watching the sun go down or listening to the wind through the trees or watching lizards run across the patio or stargazing or reading a book or magazine on the patio or in front of the fire, you'll be just fine at the rancho.  If the hustle and bustle of the city is a must-have in your life or you cannot do without high speed internet access or you expect Stuart to talk with you for two days, you're not ranch material.

I know you go to Hearst Castle a lot, but I haven't been, will you go with me?
No.  Unfortunately, our maximum allowable visits to Hearst Castle have been exceeded for the year -- and quite possibly the decade -- so we'll be happy to give you precise directions and send you on your journey and will look forward to meeting you in town to hear all about it over a good glass of wine.

Does anyone ever have fun at the rancho?
It is practically resort living at its finest.

Speaking of resort living, how's the neighborhood?
As long as no one is shooting at us, we consider it a good day.

Any other things I need to know before visiting?
Yes.  We cannot permit any campfires, smoking, matches, etc.  We are in a precarious brush fire zone and do not allow any type of this activity. 

Can I drive my vehicle on the property? 
Do you drive your vehicle on your lawn?  Of course not.  We do not permit driving any type of vehicle on any part of the property besides the driveway.  Why?  Driving on the property destroys the grass, which we need for erosion control in winter to prevent mudslides and which the cows need in spring and summer for food.  Also, you could hit a cow.

How are the road conditions?
Generally poor to pathetic.  The two-mile stretch from the mailbox to our gate is dirt, dust, and gravel.  Don't bring one of those fancy, high performance city cars. 

How do I get to the rancho?
We purposely chose a retreat property in order to retreat.  It is a remote property.  The closest airport is San Jose, about a three-hour drive.  After flying into San Jose, you will need to rent a car and drive south on the 101.  Assuming you've been given rancho clearance, we'll give you directions from there.

When can we visit the ranch?
While we'd like to accommodate every request for a visit, the fact is that we're only at the ranch about two weekends per month, and since it is a working ranch, those doing the work need to spend one of those weekends per month attending to the grapevines, the olives, the weeds, and irrigation repair.  Additionally, immediate family generally is given first priority, and all three-day weekends are blocked out for our use.  Spring and winter are our busiest work times, so if you're thinking about a visit, it will need to work in conjunction with our schedule, remaining vacation time, and the ranch schedule. 

After all this, I still want to visit you.  When can I come?
Click on the link below to see if we're even going to be around in the time frame you're considering.  Due to business travel, Bella Vista maintenance, ranch maintenance, and harvesting of the olives, lavender, and soon, the grapes, our calendars must be carefully planned months, and at times, a year in advance.  These activities do not permit the level of flexibility that some of our family and friends enjoy.  If the calendar reflects that we're busy or somewhere else, please do not request us to change our existing plans.   We are asked to do this frequently and cannot change existing plans as it makes our schedules unmanageable.  Thank you, in advance, for understanding.