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Lowdown

  • Established

    1886. Guest ranch since 2000
  • Owner

    Susan, Kristopher and Michael Lyon
  • Manager

    Susan Lyon
  • Tel

    18054407152
  • Open

    All year
  • Nightly Rates (per adult)*

    Summer: $1,550 - $1,650
    Winter: $1,550
  • Minimum Stay

    Summer: 5 days
    Winter: 3 days
  • Maximum Guests

    20
  • Works with travel agents?

    No
  • Great For

    Romance, Action & adventure, Peace & quiet, Pampering, Solitude, Diverse scenery, Corporate Retreats
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Welcome to Cottontail Creek Ranch located on 850 beautiful private acres near Cayucos where you'll experience a slice of our unchanged Central California Coastal Lands. The ranch is located just off Historic California Highway One between San Luis Obispo and Hearst Castle/Ranch. www.cottontailcreek.com. Bring your own gear for Fishing, hiking, biking and photo capturing. Up for a swim work out...we've got you covered. We have tennis rackets and pickle ball equipment for your use....all here on the ranch.

Our home will be your home for the best vacation ever! Truly all you need is your food and clothes. Wake up to an unprecedented view of our private valley with cattle on the hillsides and orchards on the valley floor. We do our best to have a bowl of ranch grown Hass Avocados and Valencia Oranges for you to enjoy during your stay. After having that fresh squeezed orange juice Hike to the ridge and you will be rewarded with a vast view overlooking the Estero Bay from Montano de Oro to Hearst Ranch, simply magnificent.

Susan is happy to assist you with any special activities or recommendations for your stay. For those that need a lift to the fishing pond or the ridge just give Susan a call. There's so much to do, or not, it's up to you! www.cottontailcreek.com

Everything is so close but feels far: the beautiful beach is 15 minutes away by car and the Paso Robles Wine region for wine tasting is just 20 minutes away.

Downtown Paso Robles is the place to go and is 30 minutes from the ranch – great restaurants and art galleries await. Why not visit the Pocket Gallery on Pine, where Susan, the ranch owner and her best buddies show their original framed and unframed artwork by appt or Most Saturdays?

Once you arrive, you'll settle in quickly, and your best days will be spent enjoying the ranch and getting in the swing of life in the valley and vast rolling hills.

**Please note, as this is a Private Ranch, rates are based on renting the whole ranch out at once, rather than on a per person, per night basis. $1,650 per night is a rough guide for the whole ranch for 1-10 guests, or 10 guests. Please see 'Rooms & Rates' for more details on pricing**

Below are a couple of many guest reviews:

Amie B: August, 2024; 5/5 – "A beautiful backdrop for a family reunion"

"Our extended family (11 adults, eight kids) gathered at Cottontail Creek Ranch for a week-long reunion. The location is spectacular, tucked up in a canyon with sweeping views of the hills. The weather was fabulous (especially for heat-weary travelers from all around the country); sunny during the day, but not hot and cooling off overnight with the ocean breeze. The home was great for our group, with enough bedrooms and bathrooms that families didn't have to share, and an open living space that allowed all to be part of the festivities, but also offered nooks and crannies for those who wanted alone time. Susan was a wonderful host, paying attention to every little detail to make our stay enjoyable. Leaving us fresh oranges and avocados (in season), giving rides to the pond for those who couldn't hike and attentive to our needs re the pool temperature or other activities. It was a very memorable reunion and we very much hope to be back again in the future!"

Pamela L: February, 2024; 5/5 – "A fabulous ranch home"

"This home was perfect for our party of 16 (six children and 10 adults), and the views of the countryside and ranch were amazing. We enjoyed a little hiking in between the rain showers and even with a full schedule of events planned in Morro Bay and Cambria, we had the luxury of having a place to come together as a family under one roof. The grandchildren loved the lofts and the space to play in, as well as listening to the frogs croaking in the creek and the rooster crowing. The adults appreciated their own rooms with private baths and the amenities of home. Thank you to the host, Susan, for welcoming us with fresh oranges and avocado,s along with the beautifully set dining table for our family."

Good time to go

Every season has its beauty. Spring is green with seasonal creeks running, Summer warmer weather and yellow ochre rolling hills. Winter, the hills turn golden with crisp mornings and warm days.

The ranch house is perfect for all seasons as the picture windows allow you to enjoy the outside no matter the weather.

Bring some mud boots during the rainy season and hike up the creek, and dont' forget to bring your bathing suit to enjoy our fabulous pool, take a plunge in the fishing pond, or go to the beach!

Children at the Ranch

Great for children aged 0 and over

Children of all ages are welcome, there's something for everyone!

We at Cottontail Creek Ranch liken our offerings at the ranch to a 'bare boat charter', where guests choose their own activites and we make recommendations.

Tennis, swimming, hiking, fishing, biking bocci ball, cornhole, horsehoes, tetherball, treehouse and just relaxing are all enjoyed by kids and grown-ups of all ages!

Minimum age children can ride

8 and over

Activities

hiking, picnics, outdoor play area, Selection of Toys, books tree fort with slide, corn hole, bring your own bikes. Lot bike trails.

Games

board games, horseshoes, volleyball, badminton, ping pong

Environmental & Social Practices

Environment

Cottontail Creek Ranch recieved full Organic Certification on the growing grounds this past year.

Our cattle are sustainably raised by rotating, to protect the soil and the plants, and the ranch uses the 'Reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose' motto on everything.

We compost and give food scraps to the chickens, and we always work to keep our carbon foot print minimal and try to minimize our plastic use.

We also have four photo voltaic energy systems with battery back-up to assits our energy use.

Lastly, we also follow the motto: 'Think globally act locally' to help protect the coast and ranch lands.

Community

Cayucos Land Conservancy, San Luis Land Conservancy, Rangeland Trust and Cayucos School have been the main civic focus.

Susan was on the CLC board until 2022 and now is a Meritus board member. She volunteers by leading walks and organizing fundraisers.

The ranch donates a 'play day' to the local schools for auction fundraisers and all the ranch guest donate to SLO Tourism fund to protect the open space.

Conservation

On 1 July, 2009, Cottontail Creek Ranch started a voluntary land conservation fund and all ranch guests are asked to make a charitable donation of approximately two per cent of their rental rate to the fund.

During their visits, Cottontail Creek Ranch guests often express their extreme enjoyment and delight at the wide open spaces and working agricultural landscapes, and we hope the area will retain this magical quality for their return visits.

The creation of this fund gives our guests and others an ongoing opportunity to be part of conserving the natural beauty of the area.

A directed giving fund has been established with the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation whereby guests make their donations to a specific earmarked fund called the 'SLO County Tourism Land Conservation Fund'.

In turn, the Community Foundation will make grants, as directed by Roger and Susan Lyon, to non-profit land trusts or public agencies for land conservation projects in San Luis Obispo County.

Initially, planned grant recipients from the fund are the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, the California Rangeland Trust, the American Land Conservancy and the Cayucos Land Conservancy.

Each of these land trusts has a proven track record in this County.

Why two per cent?

Two per cent was the most obvious number because guests staying in all of SLO county, except for this north rural area, are charged in addition to the 10.5%, bed tax and a two per cent BID (Business Improvement District assessment for marketing).

For more information on the how and why, please read 'The Making' below.

Our goal is participation in making a difference

Cottontail Creek Ranch is participating by matching our guests' two per cent donation, and anticipates and invites other businesses in the County, not only the lodging industry, to choose to participate and share our excitement about the possibilities ahead.

The goal is to generate sufficient funds to make significant donations to conservation projects in San Luis Obispo County.

We hope you will join us in continuing to make a difference, to preserve this pristine region of California for generations to come. Your donation is tax deductible and soul enriching.

SInce 2009, over $55,000 in grants have been awarded

Grants have been made to the Cayucos Land Conservancy, California Rangeland Trust and the Land Conservancy of SLO County.

Cayucos Land Conservancy's mission is to complete a green belt around Cayucos and they hold separate conservation easements on both the four-mile coastal bench north of town (Estero Bluffs) and the two miles across Highway 1 (Maino Ranch). They are actively buying hillside lots from willing sellers to complete the greenbelt.

The Land Conservancy of SLO County works to conserve land throughout the county.

CTR's mission is to conserve the open space, natural habitat and stewardship of California's ranches. http://www.rangelandtrust.org

The making of the SLO Tourism Land Conservation Fund

When booking a stay in the county, guests pay the lodging rental rate and an additional 10.5% transient occupancy tax, which goes into the County general fund.

For the last several years, the hospitality industry has proposed forming a countywide business improvement district (BID) to require hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals to collect an additional two per cent of gross revenues.

Although collected by the County, this two per cent assessment is to be used by the BID exclusively to promote additional tourism in the County.

The rationale was that other counties and cities were charging upwards of 13% to their guests and SLO could not compete for tourist dollars.

Many hospitality business owners in the County, particularly small operators in the north county, objected to this additional tax/assesment. Part of the objection was that the type of marketing contemplated was not geared toward promoting the very small rural businesses and the reason their guests come as well as return to the area.

Through the debate about whether the needs of these small rural operators would benefit from the BID, Susan came up with a rather novel marketing idea: Since the tourist industry benefits from the spectacular open spaces and scenic beauty of the area, why not earmark a significant portion of the proposed BID funds to a land conservation/stewardship fund that would be used to make grants to land trusts in the area which are working to preserve these open spaces.

The BID could then promote the fact that the hospitality industry businesses, which benefit from tourists coming to enjoy these wide open spaces, actually put their money where their mouths are.

While there seemed to be interest in the concept, the rural operators (including Cottontail Creek Ranch), felt that there was not enough commitment by the drivers of the BID formation committee to merit participation in the BID.

By mutual agreement, the rural north county was excluded from the BID formed by the County in May 2009. Effective 1 July 2009, the two per cent BID assessment has been collected by operators in the unincorporated area, except for the rural north county.

Because of the lengthy debate and subsequent solution, Cottontail Creek Ranch guests have the unique opportunity to participate in preserving San Luis Obispo County by way of their charitable donation to the SLO Tourism Land Conservation Fund.

Ranch History

The Lyon family is proud to continue a rich ranching history.

For approximately 60 years, the ranch was operated as a dairy by Swiss-Italians who, like many others in the area, immigrated here in the late 1800s to find new opportunities on land that reminded them of their homeland.

They hand-milked their cows in the ranch barns and separated the cream from milk in the small building adjoining the barns.

The product was taken by wagon to creameries in Cayucos and Harmony where it was made into butter and cheese, and loaded onto ships at the Cayucos wharf.

When regulations made small dairies obsolete on the central coast, a shift was made from milk cows to raising beef cattle on the ranch.

Since then, the Lyons have had success with raising high quality, healthy Hass avocados, Valencia oranges and beef cattle.

In 1999, Cottontail Creek Ranch added another branch to their operation, a luxury ranch vacation rental.

The ranch house has been a successful addition toward achieving viable sustainable agriculture and your hosts, Susan, Kristopher and Michael Lyon, invite you to join them for a getaway that will demand an encore!

Your Manager, Susan Lyon

Susan was born and raised in Southern California, and she earned a BFA in art and a teaching credential from USC.

After marrying, she and Roger moved to SF, LA, settled in Cayucos in 1976 and bought the Magetti ranch in 1977.

Raising, their two children on the ranch they learned about the land, neighbors and community.

They bought the adjoining Cottontail Creek Ranch in 2000 and from there started the guest ranch.

Susan has brought the ranch up to certified organic status while still doing her art (currently printmaking) and she also owns the Pocket Gallery on Pine in Paso Robles. She loves this ranch and loves sharing it with her guests.

Your manager

Lowdown

  • Enjoy

    Gourmet, Ranch-style, Health oriented
  • Alcohol

    BYOB
  • Enjoy dining in

    nature settings, patio, private dinners

The ranch does not provide meals, guests will need to stock up locally and self-cater.

We try to have ripe avocados and oranges on arrival, and we have a list of local farmers markets and grocery stores available.

We also have a list of private chefs and caterers that can be reserved for your spoecial occasions, or if you just want to kick back on your vacation!

Guest Favourites

  • Scallops
  • Steak
  • Salad

About our Wines

We have no wines available, but we can absolutely recommend our favorite wineries to visit!

Your Chef, Oak and Vine Catering

Chef and partner mixologist can do it all!

Lowdown

  • Address

    2005 Cottontail Creek Road or 1885
    Cayucos
    California
    93430
    USA
  • Remote Location

    No
  • Elevation

    400 ft
  • Private Land

    250-1000 acres
  • Public Land

    250-1000 acres

Nearest Town - Cayucos/Morro Bay

Cayucos/Morro Bay has a population of 2000/4000 (approx), and is situated 9 miles miles / 15 mins from the Ranch.

Facilities in Cayucos/Morro Bay include: grocery store, pharmacy, church, school, post office, bank, atm, gas station, museum.

For shopping Cayucos/Morro Bay offers: small hometown necessity shops, boutique shops.

Ranch shuttle

No

Nearest Airports

San Luis Obispo Regional Municipal SBP, San Luis Obispo

Distance

30 miles miles / 45 mins

Airlines

United, Skywest, Alaska, United Express, American Airlines, Jet services to SLO and Paso Rolbes

Ranch shuttle

Not officially but could be arranged

Rental car

Required


Paso Robles Municipal Airport, Paso Robles

Distance

30 miles / 45 mins

Ranch shuttle

Not officially but Can be arranged

Rental car

Required

Lowdown

  • Type of Riding

    Western Riding
  • Riding opportunities for

    Beginner, Intermediate
  • Most riders are

    Intermediate
  • Rides are grouped by

    Everyone rides together, Rides tailored to guest requests
  • Max riders per ride

    10
  • Wranglers per ride

    2
  • Pace of ride

    Walk
  • Guest Horses

    0
  • Horse Types

    Quarterhorse
  • Hours in the saddle

    Morning - 2 hours
    Afternoon - 2 hours

The Setting

Private Land (250-1000 acres)

Cottontail Creek Ranch has lovely private trails with views of the ocean and inland hills.

Public Land (250-1000 acres)

Vineyard riding in the Paso Robles with Central Coast Trail Rides


Our Riding

Guided rides

All rides with Central Coast Trail Rides will be guided

Weight limit for riding

Up to 225 lbs

Riding considerations

MUST have riding experience

Hours in the saddle

Totally up to you!


Why our riding stands out

  • Horseback riding at Cottontail Creek Ranch is by appointment only. Riding is provided by Central Coast Trail Rides and they'd be happy to meet you at the ranch, the beach or vineyards.
  • Central Coast Trail Rides has a variety of horses that can ride out over the ranch trails, through the vineyards or along the beach. Heaven!
  • Remember, being a private ranch, the trails for your horseback riding in California will be all yours!

Sample Riding Itinerary

All chosen by the guests!

Lowdown

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)*

    Summer: $1,550 - $1,650
    Winter: $1,550
  • Minimum Stay

    Summer: 5 days
    Winter: 3 days
  • Preferred Arrival Day

    Summer: Thurs, Fri
    Winter: Thurs
  • Preferred Departure Day

    Sun
  • Style of accommodation

    Western rustic chic, Luxury 5-Star
  • Packages available

    1 week
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Cottontail Creek Ranch can cater for up to 20 guests. See below for details and indicative rates.

House | Cottontail Creek Ranch

Rates (Per Room / Accommodation)*

Summer: $1,550 - $1,650
Winter: $1,550 - $1,650
* Rates will vary based on Season and Accommodation selection. Please contact the ranch directly for Date Request, Availability and exact Rate quote/proposal

Minimum Stay

3 nights

Description

Cottontail Creek Ranch is a custom-built home that boasts 5000 sq ft of luxury living on 850 acres.  

The house has eight bedrooms (five are ensuite), seven baths, two sleeping lofts and a detached multi-purpose room (counted as one of the sleeping areas and bath).

Guest suites are private, featuring king- to queen-size beds with private bathrooms.

Rooms

8

Bathrooms

Private bathroom, Shared bathroom

Amenities

safe, fridge, microwave, hair dryer, seating area, plush bathrobes, air conditioning, wood fireplace, washer / dryer, Disabled Accessible

Entertainment

tv, dvd, vhs, cable / satellite tv, hot tub


Booking Policy

'Nightly rate' prices listed here are a guide only and each booking will be worked out on an idividual basis. Please visit the website or call the ranch for a detailed breakdown of rates to rent the ranch for days or weeks.

All rates are based on a 1-10-guest visit with an extra guest charge of $45/guest/night and/or visit up to 20 guests

Children and visitors are counted as guests.

Please inquire about applicable day use charges and limits for visitors who are not overnight guests.

Extra day use guests by permission only, and subject to a charge and limits.

One half of the base rent is due upon booking the ranch. Payment may be made in the form of check or money order made out to Cottontail Creek Ranch.

The full balance, including 10.5% County Bed Tax and 2% Conservation Fund Donation (as separate tax deductible checks made out to San Luis Obispo Community Foundation), should be included with your final payment, as well as any applicable extra guest charges, and security and cleaning deposits, plus your signed rental agreement.

Final payment is due 45 days prior to arrival.

Included in your stay

lodging, A bowl of Ranch grown Hass avocados and Valencia oranges will await your arrival! With advance notice, guests can book the Kubota to travel the one mile to the pond and ridge

Extras

Tax

Meals, activities, alcohol, transfers Cleaning: a $450 cleaning fee and a refundable $700 security/excess cleaning deposit.   Tax: 10.5% County Bed Tax and 2% Conservation Fund Donation (as separate tax-deductible checks) Please add on the following: 12.5% (10.5% SLO County Bed Tax + 2% tax-deductible Land Conservation Fund Donation)

Gratuity

Not necessary, but my staff loves being appreciated!

Massage

By advance appointment only

Lowdown

  • Communications

    Wireless Internet/Wifi, telephone, free long distance.
  • Cell Networks

    AT&T. starlink wifi calling.
  • Business Services

    common computer, Dry erase board and chair set up.

Onsite

Shopping

We offer ranch baseball caps, avocados and oranges.

Outdoor Activities

tennis, Bring your own mountain bikes

Water based Activities

outdoor pool, hot tub, lake water sports, Our pool is a 20yd wide lap pool with swim step and spa.


Fishing & Wildlife

Our fishing pond has three kayaks and a rowboat for guests to enjoy, and it contains large and small mouth bass and blue gil. Bring your own fishing gear for great fishing adventures at Cottontail Creek Ranch!

From May to September, there is a bouncer in the middle of the pond and guests can cool down on shore under the shade deck ,and enjoy time in the picnic areas. The pond is a one-mile walk/hike from the lodge, however, transportation can be arranged with Susan.

Fishing on offer

BYO equipment

Wildlife

Bald and Golden Eagles, Osprey, hawks,Turkey vultures, egrets, coots, ducks and more!

Deer, Bobcats, foxes, coyotes, possible mountain lions, too.


Additional Services

Corporate Retreats

For groups of under 20.

We can accomdate up to 14 private beds with shared rooms and there's also a breakout room.


Local Attractions

Estero Bluffs State Park/Hearst Castle

Estero Bluffs State Park

Four miles of coastline and  fabulous unspoiled  tidepools! Perfect for beachcombing, running, hiking and picnics, it's just noth of Cayucos.                                                                    AND/OR continue  up the coast and take the Roger "Chopper" Lyon Legacy self guided tour.  You will enjoy the coast that we have helped preserve for future generations on the way  to Hearst Ranch where you can take a tour of Hearst Castle followed by wine tasting in San Simeon Cove.  Cheers

Distance

9 miles miles / 15 mins

Ranch shuttle

No

Rental car

Required


Hearst Castle

Historic Hearst Castle

After the tour of the castle, why not make a reservation for wine tasting at Hearst winery in San Simeon Cove!

Distance

25 miles / 45 mins

Ranch shuttle

No but could be arranged


Pocket Gallery on Pine and Paso Robles Wine Tasting Region

Pocket Gallery on Pine and Paso Robles Wine Tasting Region

Our three woman artiust gallery is located downtown  Paso Robles is owned by the ranch's owner, Susan.

It's situated amongst fabulous restaurants and shopping in the wonderful Paso Roble downtown park area,

Our County has over  400 wineries in the region to choose from!  Susan of course has her favorites.

Distance

23 miles / 30 mins

Ranch shuttle

no

Rental car

Required

Highs

  • Private ranch, Cottontail Creek Ranch is the perfect place to get away with all your family and friends for a vacation to remember. You'll have the entire place to yourself!
  • If you love the beach, this lovely Californian ranch is just a 15-minute drive away, it's our only ranch with a beach.
  • Cottontail Creek Ranch sits on 850 acres of gorgeous rolling hillside with phenomenal views of the Lyon family's private valley. Views are enjoyed from every room, the deck, outdoor spa and fire pit, so if sprawling vistas are your thing, Cottontail Creek will deliver!
  • There's an abundance or activities for everyone to enjoy, from hiking, fishing and bird watching, to court games and gym equipment

Lows

  • If you're looking for horse riding on your ranch vacation, this private ranch doesn't have any horses on site, however you can book ranch rides, vineyard or beach rides with Central Coast Trail Rides.
  • Also note that this private ranch is self-catering and doesn't provide any meals, however, you can hire a private chef or have catering arranged.