Short Description:
Discover California's Wine Country on a rare gaited Rocky Mountain Horse thru vineyards, ancient redwoods & along the beaches of the rugged Mendocino Coast & enjoy tours of award winning wineries. Return to comfort & luxury at Cowboy Hideaway lodge. Savor fine cuisine and enjoy a glass of wine overlooking spectacular views of Clear Lake. Guests have the exclusive privilege to tour & ride at Ridgewood Ranch home of Seabiscuit's miraculous recovery.
Corkscrews and Horseshoes - need we say more?
Category:
Guest Ranch, Ranch Resort, Ranch OTHER
Full Address:
1410 West Highway 20,
Upper Lake,
California,
United States,
95485
Geographical Area:
USA - North Central
URL:
CONTACT INFORMATION
Destination:
Cowboy Hideaway Ranch
Email Address:
Reservation:
707 328-3192
Fax:
707 939-7283
FULL DESCRIPTION OF LISTING
On Sunday guests are picked up from the meeting place in San Francisco. Head north across the Golden Gate Bridge past the Marin Headlands, stopping for a tour at Benzider Family Winery in the quaint village of Glen Ellen in the Sonoma Valley. Continuing up thought the rolling hills past the Russian River and Alexander Valley appellations. The next stop will be Francis Ford Coppola presents Rosso & Bianco. The route then takes you east, winding past the Blue Lakes to Cowboy Hideaway, your homr for the week. The beautiful, newly built log home has very comfortable rooms, large inviting sitting areas with enormous fireplaces and stunning views of Clear Lake (one of the west's finest bass fishing lakes), woods and vineyards and beautiful sunsets from the outdoor decks. A discussion of the week's activities over a local wine is followed by an exquisite dinner of fresh local ingredients.
Monday begins with your introduction to your gaited Rocky Mountain Horse from Mountain Magic Ranch in Montana. This rare breed of horse with its characteristically smooth gait will be your companion for the week. Known for its natural four-beat gait it provides a very smooth ride. These horses are known for their sharp minds embracing a challenge with an impressive stmina yet a gentle disposition. The conformation and color of the Rocky Mountain Horse is striking turning many an artist's head in appreciation.
A prolog to the many sights of the area from your guide will begin your ride. Your first ride will be on the mountain equestrian trails around Highland Springs reservoir. Broad trails allow the guests to visit and to learn first hand more about the many agricultural and natural wonders of the surrounding country side and to learn more about the viticulture of the grape growing region. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed underneath the spreading oak trees. Astop at a local winery is alsways a welcome respite after a day of riding. Returning to the Ranch tuests will enjoy appetizers and beautiful views of the lake and the sunset before a wonderful dinner prepared by the ranch staff.
Tuesday begins with an incredible tour of Charles Howard's Ridgewood Ranch, final resting place of Seabiscuit, who lifted the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression. he became te greatest icon of his time embodying the spirit and winning the Santa Anita handicap $100,000. You'll see the place where Red Pollard, Seabiscuit's "never say die" jockey worked hard to bring them both back to shape so they could win at Santa Anita. After your tour and the viewing of a special movie, we will have a picnic at Ridgewood Ranch. Then a very special ride has been arranged through your guides and the Foundation that is bringing this wonderful property back to its prime. OUr guests are being given the rare opportunity to ride the same trails on Ridgewood Ranch trhough the redwood groves as Seabiscuit did. Return to Cowboy Hideaway for a relaxing evening with dinner prepared from all the ingredients that California cuisine has to offer.
On Wednesday guest will take a morning ride exploring the miles of trails and hills on the 750 acre ranch, past native chaparral, gnarly California oaks covered in spanish moss, the abundant wildlife and beauty of Lake County. Unobstructed vistas of the lake and mountains and the acres of pear and walnut groves are enjoyed through the crisp clean air. The Cowboy Hideaway Ranch is home to a huge variety of songbirds, black tail deer, quail and majestic American bald eagles. Mid-day will include lunch at the ranch or a barbeque.
Guests depart afte riding to tour Jim Fetzer's new winery Ceago del Lago. Experiencing world-class wines and strolling through lavender gardens to the dock and a view of the lake and Mt. Knochti, the tour will explain the mission of Ceago; to craft small lots of wine from estate grown organic and biodynamic grapes using the bedst of old and new world winemaking techniques. Then return to Cowboy Hideaway for another wonderful dinner.
Arising early on Thursday, you and your Rocky Mountain Hoarse will ride the beaches of the Pacific Coast along the magnificent bluffs dotted with ocean wildlife. Lunch will be in the picturesque town of Mendocino, also known a "Cabot Cove" of "Murder She Wrote" fame with the opportunity to explore the numberous galleries and shops. Guests will have the opportunity to sample Mendocino County wines through the Anderson Valley before returning to the warmth and comfort of Cowboy Hideaway for dinner.
After breakfast on Friday your day begins with a vineyard ride into the quaint town of Upper Lake with charming antique stores and lunch at the classic Blue Wing Saloon. The Blue Wing was re-established in the tradition of the original saloon which first opened in the 1800's and remained apopular watering hole until the onset of prohibition in 1920. Returning to the ranch for a western barbeque, you will have the opportunity to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book or have a competitive game of horse shoes.
Guests depart the ranch on Saturday morning south past Clear Lake winding their way through the mountains. This circle completes the sampling of wines in the Northern California wine regions before our guests return to San Francisco.
LISTING DETAILS
Max.No.Guest(non group):
8
Minimum Stay(days):
3
Max.No.Guest(group):
12
Transportation:
Transfer to and from the meeting point near SFO or a rental car
Accomodations:
The lodge at Cowboy Hideaway has six bedrooms all offering unique accommodations. The master suite has a king size bed with an en suite bath and private deck. The guest room with an adjacent bath also has a private bath. The two loft bedrooms with the open loft area each have a queen size bed and share a bathroom. Downstairs there are two additional bedrooms each with twin beds and their own baths.
Dining:
A hearty breakfast is laid out each morning with fresh fruit, assorted breads and homemade apple butter, granola, yogurt and other tempting sweets. Lunch is either a picnic, a barbeque at the ranch or lunch at a restaurant in Mendocino or at the Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake.
Dinner is always a main event of the day with carefully crafted meals prepared from special ranch recipes using fresh ingredients. A special guest chef may offer a cooking class and join the ranch guests for dinner.
Entertainment:
Horseback riding, watching Seabiscuit prior to our visit to Ridgewood Ranch, evening strolls and enjoying our magnificent view or perhaps a relaxing massage fill the guest's days and evenings.
Conference Capacity:
31 to 50
Nearest Airport(Hrs):
San Francisco Internation (3 1/2 hours) or Sacrament ( 2 1/2 hours)
AirStrip at Ranch:
No
On Site Medical:
First Aid Personnel Present, Hospital Nearby
Nearest Hospital(Hrs):
Lakeport (1/2 hour)
Membership:
West Coast Rocky Mountain Horse Club
Months Open:
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Exception to Months Open:
Languages:
English
Credit Cards:
VISA, Master Card, Discover
Price Range per Night:
$401.00-$550.00
(Prices in US dollars - use currency converter below to see the price in a different currency)
