3 acres hosted by Christine N.
3 tent sites
Welcome to our family homestead! Come hang out with us. Play on the farm. We are 30-40 min from Monterey and Santa Cruz for all the beaches, hiking, etc.Welcome to Rusty Hill Farm Stay! Please read entire description before booking and feel free to ask any questions!
We are a small family farm located near Monterey/Santa Cruz. Explore the farm, help feed our animals! Our farm stand is open some Saturday mornings from 10am to 1pm (June to October). We have vegetable gardens, dairy goats, chickens and quail for fresh eggs, a shetland sheep, horses and a pony along with some loving ranch cats and two friendly pups.
We have only one site open and hosting one family at a time. If you have another family that you want to camp with, please message me and we can open the second site for them to book with you on those dates. 2 night minimum on weekends and 3 night minimum on holiday weekends. Free coffee/tea bar on weekends (Sat, Sun).
Please note! we are tent only. No sleeping in vehicles, vans or RVs.
This is a small homestead. When you visit expect to be welcomed as family. It is dusty and the kids will get dirty! The farm cats will hang out with you and the rooster crows early! You do not have to participate in farm activities to visit us, lots of people go on hiking, surfing, mountain biking day trips while visiting.
Description of camp area:
When you arrive, you will find a welcome basket on each table for each group with a booklet describing our farm. Enjoy a partially equipped camp cook area: camp stove with propane, sink and cookware. Please note- no refrigerator, so bring a cooler for your cold food. 2 picnic tables, and a wooden tent platform. Camp also includes a vintage tent trailer to hang out in. No bedding. There is no parking at the campsite. It is about a 100 foot walk from parking area to camp. FREE hot outdoor propane shower under the stars (if they are out). The bathroom is a regularly serviced porta-potty and not a flush-toilet rest room.
Please note: One booking is required for each family. When booking it states $100 for groups of 5 (two adults and children) - if you have more than 3 kids in your family, that is fine and no extra fee applies. If you have another friend group (or other adults) that you wish to camp with, please let us know and we will open the second site for them on those dates, so they can book as well. We have a two night minimum on Friday and Saturdays and please note on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends it is a 3 night minimum.
We are located in the small town of Aromas, CA. Equal distance of 30-40 min drive to either Monterey, CA or Santa Cruz, CA. Many beach options: surfing, swimming, exploring. We have a variety of nearby places to explore such as: Elkhorn Slough for kayaking, hiking and nature center, Mt Madonna Park for hiking in redwoods, Several beaches 20-30 min away. We are only 30 min from Moss Landing and Famous Phil's Fish Market where you can eat amazing sea food right on the beach! Or visit Gizdich Ranch 15 minutes away where you can buy homemade pies of all kinds and even pick berries and apples. Our town has one very good sit down/take out restaurant down the street and a wonderful taqueria inside the town market.
Check out our extra add-one.
NOTE : Pony classes are only available on certain days with ADVANCED RESERVATIONS made at the time of booking. Helmets and liability release forms are required by everyone who participates.
Description of add-ons:
PROPANE fire pit rental $20 per night (no wood fires allowed)
PONY CARE AND RIDING CLASS for small children Do you have little ones who are interested in horses? The "pony care class" might be just the thing. This class is 30 minutes long and starts with learning about how to safely be around a pony/horse. Kids will learn about the different brushes and grooming tools and will groom the pony. We will learn about tack and putting on a saddle. The kids will get to practice on our barrel before finally getting a lead-line lesson riding the pony. One parent must accompany child(children). Cost $50 Per child 30 minute class. ages 4-7.
WHAT TO BRING/PACK: bedding, tents (if not using our tent trailer or needing more space) clothing (layers- we are coastal -our mornings and evenings are cool and the days are warm) personal items, flashlights or headlamps or other fun gadgets that you like to have, cooler of food if you plan to make lunches/dinners here. Plates, silverware, cups. Camp is stocked with: pots/pans/cooking utensils/cutting board/knives/bottle and can opener/spices/bowls/drainer/coffee cups/tin foil.
Boots or low-heeled shoes (hiking boots) if children plan to do horseback riding, also good to have on a farm in general.
Thank you for checking us out. We look forward to your visit. Feel free to ask any questions.