GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS
Our cozy mountain cabins (14 rooms) can accommodate 30 to 45 people. This small number of guests adds to the personal, charming atmosphere...somewhat like that of a private house party. These duplex cabins can be taken as a single room, or the two connecting rooms for larger families or parties. You'll enjoy daily maid service in your clean, air conditioned cabin which is wood paneled and carpeted. Each room has large picture windows which provide beautiful views of the outdoors. All rooms have private entrances and baths, and will accommodate up to five people...there is a queen bed, a twin bed, and a day bed (which can be made into two singles) in each room. There are comfortable chairs for reading and relaxing after those fun filled days of horseback riding, swimming and hiking. Our new deluxe cabin, the "CHIMO" was built in 1998 and many families have already enjoyed the extra comforts it provides. It is a duplex cabin also, with two connecting rooms; each with private bath. It's larger floor plan can accommodate a family of eight. Each CHIMO room has two queen beds and two queen sofa sleepers; larger bathrooms each with separate shower and tub. There is an extra 15% charge to the daily rate during Regular Season and Off Season for the deluxe CHIMO rooms. All cabins are situated in private locations and are surrounded by beautiful oaks and pines. Comfortable outdoor chairs provide the perfect setting for guests to enjoy star filled skies in the evenings and cool quiet mornings.

HEARTY RANCH STYLE FOOD
Each evening before dinner, adult guests gather in LIGHTNER SQUARE for our PATIO PARTY. We don't have a liquor license, but many guests bring their own adult beverage to this quiet gathering. We provide dips, chips and mixes on our glass topped table surrounded by comfortable benches. Shaded by the mulberry tree, you'll have a great time relaxing and visiting with other guests. Children (during the Regular Season) gather in the recreation room or on the big lawn for fun activities with our counselors during this hour before dinner.

The "GARDEN ROOM," where breakfast and dinner is served, is a beautiful, large dining area. Huge hanging plants seem to love the abundance of natural light that streams through the tall windows. Guests enjoy the enlarged photos of family members dating back to the mid 1800's; and the water color paintings by Helen Rankin. An old Houser cupboard and other cherished family heirlooms are used every day. Each evening when the dinner bell rings at 6:30, guests enter the "Garden Room" to find candle lit tables, linens and fresh flowers...these special touches add to your dining enjoyment. Salads are prepared, and served at your table...and a delicious buffet dinner follows. Everybody loves our home cooked meals...complete with fresh vegetables, top quality meats, and homemade breads and desserts. We're asked often about vegetarian diets...each lunch and dinner has a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, pasta and breads. Everyone loves our food. A hearty breakfast is served anytime between 7:30 and 9:00am. If you are a light eater and prefer cereal or fruit, that's fine, but most of our guests enjoy our hash browns and eggs...waffles...or pancakes served with crisp bacon or smoked ham. We are one of the only ranches that gives you the opportunity to be an "early bird" or to "sleep in" in the morning...if you would rather sleep, we'll serve coffee and juice in Lightner Square after the regular breakfast hour. A full buffet lunch is served at 12:30 on the terrace which overlooks the swimming pool. Everyone enjoys the casual setting and our delicious food. Helen Rankin taught Rudy (Rankin Ranch cook of 30 years) many of the old family ranch recipes. Guests have shown an interest in having a collection of these recipes so we are now working on a cookbook which will also feature family photos and history.

LOCATION
Rankin Ranch in Walker's Basin "is a land of hay, deer and cool nights...it remains a cattle paradise." Ranch headquarters are located in the beautiful little mountain valley of Walker's Basin; at 3,500 ft. elevation, deep in the Tehachapi Mountains in the lower southern California Sierras. We are just 2 1/2 hours north of Los Angeles...5 1/2 hours south of San Francisco. You'll find NO SMOG...LONG LINES... or CROWDS at RANKIN RANCH.

DIRECTIONS
(Click here to see a detailed map)
From Southern California: North on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine. Take Hwy 99 North to Bear Mountain Blvd (223). Go through the small town of Arvin (last chance for gasoline) 11 miles to Highway 58. Go East toward Mojave... drive 1½ miles to the Caliente turnoff.

Go through the small town of Caliente past the Post Office on your right. Approximately 2 1/2 miles past the Post Office you will come to a "Y" in the road...go left up the hill. We are 9 miles from the "Y"...a beautiful scenic mountain road (no houses). It will take approximately 30 minutes from the "Y" to Rankin Ranch Entrance on the right as you drop down into the valley.

From Northern California: South on Interstate 5 or Highway 99 to Bakersfield. East on Highway 58 toward Tehachapi and Mojave. It is approximately 23 miles from Bakersfield to the Caliente turnoff...go left off the freeway. Follow previous directions immediately above from this point.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS says..."Just driving to this ranch is worth the trip. The road snakes over and around the Tehachapi Mountains northeast of Bakersfield, then drops to this 30,000-acre cattle spread in a valley that seems as remote as Shangri-La."

Guests from all over the United States and Europe love staying at our working cattle ranch where they leave the hectic city pace behind, with no room phones or televisions. Stress level is ZERO at Rankin Ranch! Our beautiful valley enjoys mild summer temperatures ranging from 80 to 95 degrees with evening lows sometimes dropping down to 45 degrees. Spring and autumn weather is usually somewhat cooler with daytime temperatures usually ranging from 60 to 80 degree.