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The Ranch Retreat

Hosted by Mitch · Paicines, California

3 sites · Tent, Lodging · 3400 acres

First Hipcamper Club

Earn this patch by being the first to spend a night outside at a new Hipcamp.

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

Enjoy your visit to our historic California cattle ranch while staying in one of our romantic cabins for the perfect Ranch Retreat experience. The Gabilan Mountains are calling, inviting you to take in majestic views of oak-studded rolling hills atop Panoche Pass. Just 45 minutes south of Hollister on a less-traveled road, you'll discover some of California's most beautiful, untouched landscapes. Bird-watch, paint, or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings with your gracious hosts. The Space What to Expect A million stars on clear nights and crisp mornings overlooking the rolling hills through large, picturesque windows. Peaceful surroundings with minimal traffic on the area's only road. Life moves a little slower out here on the ranch, so take your time and savor the simple pleasures of cooking, visiting, and unwinding. These rustic homes were built in the 1930s and retain many original details, including charming chippy paint on the original-pane windows. We are also on a well that is rich in minerals, so expect rust-marked porcelain tubs and a distinct mineral taste in the drinking water. We are a working cattle ranch. When the cows are grazing in the lower pastures, you'll hear and see authentic ranch life in action. There may also be friendly ranch cats hard at work keeping the mouse population in check, along with local wildlife that occasionally meanders through on its way to the nearby watering hole. Guest Access Guests are welcome to enjoy the yards around their cabins and the shared covered outdoor kitchen at any time. Please do not enter any of the white outbuildings or the areas behind them. With permission, guests may access the ranch trails outside of the PG&E camp. A signed liability waiver is required, and guests must text us to check in and out. Other Things to Note We welcome well-behaved, well-socialized, vaccinated pets. Please note that this is a pet-friendly property with other animals on-site, so your pets must be friendly and kept on a leash at all times. Pets may not be left unattended in the house while you are away from the compound area.

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1 site

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Campsite #1

Tent site · Sleeps 4

This is a peaceful spot out of site of the county road, but not to far up the mountain. There is a different kinda quiet up here, the kind that can lul you back 100 years where you imagine when the homesteaders used to stop what they were doing when they heard the snap of a whip and the squeks and creaks of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach as they were headed up to New Idrea Mines from San Juan Bautista on their regular delivery of payroll and the mail. Watching the families get their cattle together to drive their yearly calves to the train station in Tres Pinos. This is California cattle country with a rich and colorful past with stories of loss, triumphs, playfulness and pride in feeding Californians the best beef avaliable anywhere in the world. There is an enclosed dry toilet 200' from campsite. Water is avaliable at the water trough at the base of the hill before the creekcrossing. This field is 800 acres and if you don't cross a fence, then your doin alright. I would like to know if your interested in going for a long hike so I can know when to come looking for you and what direction to start lookin. Please don't drive off the road and don't park in the tall grass. Stow your stuff away if your gonna go exploring, the squirrels and cattle get curious. Whispers from 9PM to 8AM. Don't be the one to start a stampede :-) I'm in the 2nd house at 20720Panoche road (just South of campsite). Please reach out if you have needs or questions.

No campfires

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No showers

Picnic table

Lodging

2 sites

Instant book

The Ranch Retreat "The Saddle"

Cabin · Sleeps 4 · 1 toilet

Enjoy your visit to our historic California Cattle Ranch, staying in one of our romantic cabins, topping off your “Ranch Retreat” experience. The Gabilan Mountains are calling you to experience their majestic views of Oaks and rolling hills atop the Panoche Pass. Forty-five minutes south of Hollister on a road less traveled, see some of the most beautiful California landscapes unscathed. Bird watch, paint, or do whatever you enjoy most with your most gracious hosts. The space What to expect: A million stars on clear nights and crisp mornings overlooking the rolling hills from large, picturesque windows. Peaceful surroundings with minimal traffic on the one road through the area. Things will be a little slower out here on the ranch; expect to take your time while doing things and savor the simple arts of cooking and visiting. These rustic homes were built in the 1930's and have many of the original details, so expect charming chippy paint on the original pane windows. We are also on a well which is rich in minerals, so expect rust-marked porcelain tubs, a different flavor to the drinking water. We are a working cattle ranch. When the cows are in the lower pastures, expect farm animal noises and sights. There may be critters around, including cats whose job is to keep the many mice away and wild animals that sometimes meander on through on their way to the nearby watering hole. Guest access Guests may access the yards around their homes and the shared covered outdoor kitchen anytime. Please do not go into any of the white outbuildings or behind them. You may access the Ranch trails outside of the PG& E camp with permission. You must sign a liability release as well as text us to check in and check out. Other things to note We love well-behaved, well-socialized, vaccinated pets. Please note that this is a pet-friendly property; there will be other animals on-site, so yours must be friendly and kept on a leash at all times. You may not leave your pet in the house when leaving the compound area.

No campfires

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

Showers

No picnic table

Instant book

The Ranch Retreat "The Stall"

Cabin · Sleeps 4 · 1 bed · 1 toilet

Experience a stay like no other in the historic Ranch Retreat bunkhouses from the 1930's on this working cattle ranch in the glorious Gabilan Mountains. Smack dab in the middle of California. Lounge under the Majestic Oaks as you bird watch, paint, write, or hike through the rolling hills where Hammond Livestock Company raise their grass fed cattle. Just down a country road from Mercy Hot Springs, Pinnacles State Park, Panoche Hills Observatory, San Benito Historic Park, and so much more! The space "The Stall" is one of 3 bunkhouses available on the Ranch. This minty green gem is perfect for a romantic getaway or some peace and solace. Although you may hear a tractor or cow in the distance. Stargazing abounds in these rustic homes on the road less traveled. This is a two-bedroom, one-bath space with a full kitchen and sun room offering views across the hillside. You have an outdoor BBQ and firepit all to yourself, or you can join the festivities with your neighbors in a shared outdoor picnic space, or learn to rope like a real cowboy with the steel practice cow. Guest access Guests may access the yards around their homes and the shared covered outdoor kitchen anytime. Please do not go into any of the white outbuildings or behind them. You may access the Ranch trails outside of the PG&E camp with permission. You must sign a liability release as well as text us to check in and check out. We love well-behaved, well-socialized, vaccinated pets. Please note that this is a pet-friendly property; there will be other animals on-site, so yours must be friendly and kept on a leash at all times. You may not leave your pet in the house when leaving the compound area. Other things to note What to expect: A million stars on clear nights and crisp mornings overlooking the rolling hills from large, picturesque windows. Peaceful surroundings with minimal traffic on the one road through the area. Things will be a little slower out here on the ranch; expect to take your time while doing things and savor the simple arts of cooking and visiting.

No campfires

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

Showers

Picnic table

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Location

Paicines, San Benito County, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Mitch H.

Joined in May 2026

The Ranch Retreat

Select a site

Tent-only sites

Campsite #1

Lodging

The Ranch Retreat "The Saddle"

The Ranch Retreat "The Stall"

Location

Hosted by Mitch H.

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