Song of the Ancients
Winter is here. The oaks are still lagging behind losing their leaves. The nights frosty and cold are doused with the milky way; bristling with silver starlight. Relentlessly blue daytime skies.The trees are thirsty after a warm dry summer.
Please help keep the oaks and the wildlife healthy by keeping to the speed limit on our dirt roads. Vehicle speed needs to st
Winter is here. The oaks are still lagging behind losing their leaves. The nights frosty and cold are doused with the milky way; bristling with silver starlight. Relentlessly blue daytime skies.The trees are thirsty after a warm dry summer.
Please help keep the oaks and the wildlife healthy by keeping to the speed limit on our dirt roads. Vehicle speed needs to stay below 10 miles per hour on dirt roads or dust from the roads hurt animals and plants alike. Higher speeds kill wild animals with limited understanding of autos and trucks.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT WINTER CAMPING
I have done a lot of hiking and camping in the winter in California. If you are going to camp in the winter it is always good to be prepared for rain and cold. Even if there is none in the forecast. Nothing can beat curled up and warm in a tent with the flaps open, the sound of rain clattering around you and the scent of fresh washed winter air; or puff balls of snow falling fast; silencing the world around you. The key here of course is; you are warm and dry.
What you should have:
-2 sets of rain gear. When one gets wet you change into the second set while the first drips dry
- Plenty of tarps, string, and lots of bungees-if car camping you can also bring a EZ up; it will keep your dining area dry.
-make sure your tent is good quality and waterproof
-plenty of towels to clean yourself and surfaces
-your rain gear bag or box should include muckboots or some such warm comfortable waterproof footwear and lots of warm socks, long underwear, umbrellas, firelighters and firestarters (when you buy firewood from us in rainy weather we include 2 small squares of firestarters with the firewood and if you forget your firelighter we will sell you a firelighter for $5.00). Don't forget a book, a light to read by, or cards or games to play.
-You should develop your own checklist for rain and cold as your needs could be very different.This will make camping in the winter not just comfortable but a fun adventure and a feeling of comfort and joy that will revisit over a lifetime.
Winter done well is unbeatable!
In this time of upheaval and uncertainty; we are here to provide refuge and regeneration. A place for mind and body to heal. Pitch your tent or park your camper amid the ancient Blue Oaks of California. Shake the dust off your work worn spirit. Let the celebration begin. A time to lie in hammocks with cool drinks and books to wander comfortably through the oaks to let the quiet music of the oak savanna drift through your cooling mind. The weather will be your guide to places outside your norm. In the cool of the morning and evening, let the games begin. Bring your games; corn hole, table tennis, cards, rummicub, etc. As the sun starts to dip the earth cools and energizes turns the mind and body outward to activity then as the milky way opens above, it brings a whole new perspective. We have crayons, watercolors, brushes, and paper for children of all ages to use to draw and paint under the oaks. Ask! if we forget to offer. Please clean the supplies so others can use them after you. Don't worry about breakages or using it all up. The supplies are here to be used.
DAY/NIGHT TEMPERATURES
Dress for cool to sort of warm (highs in the 50s and low 60s) during the day and for cold temperatures ( 30s to 40s) at night. Winter is here. Always be ready for rain and cold; even where none exists.
FOR THESE SPECIAL TIMES.
1. We ask that you abide by social distancing, hand washing, and all other guidelines set by the government and CDC for controlling the spread of COVID-19
2. Please check the flush toilet section to brush up for your toilet etiquette, especially in regards to COVID-19
3. Bring your own towels and hand towels. If you forget hand towels, you can grab some paper towels from the bathroom.
3.A. If you forget ANYTHING ask us. We may have something for you.
4. We provide hot showers and hot handwashing set up.
5. Most of all! Take advantage of this place; go for walks, sit in the sunshine, play games, read, have fun and relax.
A place to breathe to hear yourself breathe. It's time to take time. Hold close the sound of crickets and frogs as night moves in. A place to regenerate your soul and revive your spirit. On clear nights when the air is still and calm you may hear the sounds of singing under the oaks. Lend your voice to the Song of the Ancients. Let Coyote sing you to sleep.
Choices of open meadows, rings of sacred oaks, hilltops wrapped in moonlight and skies carpeted by the milky way. This is what you want it to be or let it be. You can spend the day in San Juan Bautista at the Mission and Shops or breakfast or lunch at Flapjacks in Tres Pinos, Monterey at the Aquarium, walk on the beach at Moss Landing, hike at Pinnacles, Fremont Peak, Griswold Mountains, or Panoche Hills. Then back home to sit in a quiet world under the stars. You can also...do nothing. Read a book doze in the shade drift off in a hammock or walk and discover the land and discover yourself.
What we provide is: outdoor hot shower, flush toilet, water from a faucet, fire pit and grill to cook on at each campsite, and the spirit of the ancients, the blue oak savanna. Our hens lay or don't lay at their will they charge (not laying enough right now) for their eggs. Free range raw goats milk for animal consumption only not for humans $4/qt, firewood for $10/bundle, fire lighters $5, fire starters -first two free in the winter then $0.50/each. Our firewood is sustainably harvested from downed trees and branches. We sell it for a neighbor. No healthy live trees are harmed in order to produce firewood. No native trees are felled in order to plant fast growing hardwood for fire or anything else!
It is important to note; although we are in a convenient location for many different places, we are in the mountains. What may look close or just a few minutes away on a map will probably be closer for a condor moving through the air than a car. Take into account we are approximately nineteen miles south east of Paicines on Panoche road. Then, when the map tells you we are eleven miles from Pinnacles and you get here and realize we are more like forty miles from Pinnacles because you are not a Condor or a Raven and you have to travel by road, you won't be disappointed.
wildfarmers is a project of Stork Peterkin International Foundation (spif), a 501c3 public charity. Check us out at wildfarmers dot org. We are dedicated to the conservation and restoration of habitat and the re unification of people and wilderness. We accomplish our mission through events such as our Wild Lands and Working Lands of San Benito County, Walk on the Wild Side, wildflower discovery walk in the spring, Native Plant Seed Vault - seed gathering workshop, and other fun and educational events. Song of the Ancients (our camping program) is one of the many ways we have deployed to bring people back in touch with nature. Donations are tax deductible and all go towards the restoration and conservation of the land. Our current large project is the Pond Project, Restoring Wetland Habitat which is funded by a matching grant from Natural Resources Conservation Services, a division of USDA and US Fish and Wildlife Services and Private Donations from people such as yourself.
Cup the moon in your hands and drink in the essence of the Universe . Revitalize.
- Check in: After 2PM
- Check out: Before 1PM
- Cancellation policy: Strict
- On arrival: Meet and greet
- Minimum nights: 2
- Accepts bookings: 12 months out
You know what would make this trip even better?
Take advantage of these offers available to add to your trip to Song of the Ancients
Art in the Oaks
Beginning to serious artist 1 to 3 hr class depending on attendees needs/want...Read more
Native Land Management Techniques
This class will be a minimum of one hour and may run to two hours. Together w...Read more
Firewood bundle
Start your trip off right with a bundle of firewood waiting for you at your c...Read more
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Song of the Ancients in California.
Forest
We are a non profit organization within the Blue Oak savanna of central inland coastal California.
Wetlands
We are a non profit dedicated to habitat restoration and conservation. We are currently working with US Dept of Ag, Natural Res...Read more
The vibe at Song of the Ancients
Places to see near Song of the Ancients
177 Reviews
This site is beautiful with views of the sorrounding hills. Veronica is a delightful host! Good place to camp if hiking in pinnacles (about an hour away).
At first, it was a bit skeptical because there is absolutely no service. We went to the fire station and asked a firefighter(who was so polite) to use the phone and he helped by showing me a map of the area and showed us how to get to Veronica’s house. It is a little tricky but we made it. Veronica was an awesome host, just the sweetest! As well as her brother Tony and their dog! Sweet people!! We were the first to arrive and was able to choose from four campsites. We had the perfect spot, hidden by many trees. We loved our 5 day stay on Veronica and Tony’s land. Definitely would stay again!





Rejine, you make hosting campers so much fun. Thank you both for being the perfect campers. It was great meeting you and having you stay here.
What an amazingly beautiful camp spot. Truly gorgeous, divine nature! My kids and I camped here over Memeorial Day weekend as a stopping point to visit Pinnacles National Park. This entire area was incredible just driving through, let alone waking up to!
Hosts Veronica and Tony were so friendly, welcoming and are the kindest of people we have met. We could sense their love and appreciation for the area and it was obvious that they desired to share this experience with us.
It was rougly 45 minutes to an hour of a drive to Pinnacles but the sureounding beauty made it an easy and pleasant drive.
The outdoor shower with a view was amazing.
One bit of advice, avoid taking W. Panoche Rd. and take Little Panoche Rd/ Shields Ave.


Hosting you and your kids was a wonderful experience. You should be very proud of their independence and creativity. We loved having you here and hope you come back again soon.
Veronica was very helpful during out stay while also giving us space to enjoy her property. We stayed at site #3 which we were very happy about. The fire pit is off the road behind a large oak tree giving us more privacy unlike the other pits which sat right on the road. The campsites are far enough away from each other that we could play music and talk without worrying about disturbing our neighbors (so much better than being packed into a national park campground). The fields are beautiful and the porta potty was clean. The outdoor shower was great when we got back from our hike. Definitely buy some eggs from them! Thank you, Veronica + Tony!




Kristine, It was great having you here. You are the perfect campers. You left the place so very neat it was amazing. One of the things I really liked was that you enjoyed yourself and seemed so at peace with your surroundings.
This was exactly the remote camping I was looking for. From the beginning Veronica was a great communicator. She met us at the fire station so we could follow her to the site. I'm pretty good with GPS but glad I followed her. It about a 1 mile dirt road to her place with a few little water crossings. The whole drive I could feel that "remoteness" coming on! She pointed out our campsite and pointed to her house if we needed anything. The tent was set up under an oak tree and I had an amazing unobstructed view of the rolling green hills. Veronica's place is a safe habitat for animals so we were able to see lots of wildlife. A short drive to Tres Pino and we had some great restaurants. Very, very quaint. I will be back to visit Veronica's place again for sure!


I am so glad that you enjoyed your stay here Steve. It was wonderful meeting the two of you and having you camp here. Your stay was an all around positive experience for me. Thank-you. Veronica
I've always wanted to check out what was behind those beautiful mountains on the west when you're heading up highway 5 and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. The camping spot is a bit out there so be sure to fill up your gas tank before you head out. The drive to the spot was one of my favorite parts about it too. It really feels like the wild west with the old barns, cattle ranches, and untouched rolling hills. The host, Veronica, met me at the fire station outside her property and led me the rest of the way. You won't have service much passed the freeway, so be sure to schedule a meeting time with her so she can show you the rest of the way to her property. Once we arrived, she showed me to the camping spot. There's one designated camping spot with a picnic table, but you can really camp anywhere you want in the field.
She gave me a little tour of the land after and told me all about the restoration and conservation of the land they are doing. It was so cool to see the improvements they've done upon the land. There are some old trailers around that are in the works of being restored and will most likely be added as future Hipcamp spots. She also showed me the outdoor propane shower, which was definitely a nice touch when you're all stinky camping outside.
I had such a good time being able to slow down on their beautiful piece of property and learn more about the land from Veronica. Highly recommend if you're looking for a camping spot on a majestic piece of raw land with flowing grasses.




Great spot!

Thanks Johan, we enjoyed hosting you. Thank-you for camping at Song of the Ancients. You are always welcome here. Veronica
This was our first time taking our pupster camping so we were a little nervous. This ended up being the perfect spot for us. Veronica and Tony were wonderful hosts - Veronica met us at the nearby fire station and we followed her directly to the campsite.
The campsite itself is great - beautiful scenery and wonderful amenities: very convenient bathroom and access to water and the shower is the greatest shower of all time (hot water and a perfect view of rolling golden hills). It was a great location for a day trip to Pinnacles (but pupsters are not allowed there) and at night we had a beautiful view of the stars and the Milky Way.
We will definitely be coming back sometime!





Amir what beautiful photos. I love the one of the night sky. It was a joy to host the two of you and your pupster on your camping trip. Such a well behaved pup. I hope to see you here again one day.
Beautiful place to unwind for a few days. The host was really nice, and the area was beautiful. No Verizon cell service but I think someone said TMobile works (but we were happy to be out of cell range for a couple of days).
Good drinking water available, a flushing toilet bathroom, and a semi outdoor shower with hot water. Fire pit, a couple of chairs and a small table, and a trash can at the site.
We were there in April and there was lots of pollen, so we were glad to have brought some allergy meds with us.
Overall it was beautiful and very relaxing.




Nice photos Jake. We enjoyed hosting you and I hope you keep coming back.
Awards
- Property
- Song of the Ancients
- State
- California
- Country
- United States
- $60/night
- 4 Sites
Stefan, your group was fantastic. I think one of the things I like best about Hipcamp is that I get to meet people like you and your friends; renews my faith in humanity.