A visit to Paicines Ranch is more than just a stay – it’s an experience. Whether you want to spend time with animals while you’re here or learn more about regenerative viticulture, we have something for everyone.
Learn more about our on-site experiences below and book yours today. We can’t wait to host you!
Book Your Experience
Walking Tour with Hospitality Sheep
Max: 6 People
Duration: 1 Hour
Join our flock of Hospitality Sheep as we explore ranch headquarters and beyond! We take meandering walks as we make our way to the regenerative vineyard or to the river. Please note that this trip is for adults only and is a moderate to strenuous activity, covering hillly terrain. Children can visit with the sheep every Thursday during lunch at the Overlook (purchase your lunch ticket here).
Headquarters Walk & Teal Pond - Birding
Headquarters Walk & Teal Pond - BirdingMax: 10 People
Duration: 1 hour
Join our resident birder, MK Wilcox, to see and hear the avian life that calls Paicines Ranch home. This walk is perfect for beginning birders. We will start at the hospitality office and make our way through the headquarters of Paicines Ranch. This is a fantastic opportunity to see many resident bird species such as Yellow-billed Magpies (a California specialty), Acorn Woodpeckers, California Towhees, and American Kestrels. We will then walk down to Teal Pond. On our way, we will get views of the pivot grounds, our seasonal wetlands, and distant views of the Oak Forest. In each unique habitat, we will have a chance to see and hear a diversity of birds. At the Teal Pond, we will look for Tricolored Blackbirds, Great Egrets, Northern Harriers, and many more species!
Please note that there is no guarantee of seeing a specific species but MK will do their best to accommodate your requests. Different birds reside at the ranch throughout the year and bird activity levels depend on various factors such as season, weather, and time of day.
This is a moderate to strenuous activity as we go up and down hilly terrain. MK is flexible and committed to accessibility in birding so if you need accommodations, please note that and MK will plan your tour accordingly.
Pinball at Paicines Ranch!
Pinball at Paicines Ranch!Max: 20 People
Duration: 1 hour
In the heart of the ranch headquarters, you’ll find one of our more surprising experiences. Paicines Ranch is home to co-owner Matt Christiano’s private collection of 400 pinball machines spanning ten decades. Stroll through two large barns filled with rows of machines, organized by decade, to explore classics like Baffle Ball - the first true pinball machine produced by Gottlieb in 1931 - as well as modern games. After viewing all of the machines, you will have the opportunity to have an hour of free play on the pinball machines (no quarters needed!).
Historical Ranch Tour with Sallie
Historical Ranch Tour with SallieMax: 8 People
Duration: 1.25 hours
You will meet ranch owner, Sallie Calhoun, at the hospitality office. The tour will begin with a walk around headquarters and discussion of the history of the ranch and current operations. From there, it can head in a variety of directions depending on your interests. You can spend more time getting a behind the scenes tour of headquarters, or head out onto the rangeland. You can also see the private pinball collection in the center of the ranch which features 400 pinball machines spanning 9 decades!
Sallie is happy to discuss the ecosystem, the ranch's approach to adaptive management, regenerative agriculture, or the larger food system. She has spent the past 25 years managing Paicines Ranch and the last 15 working to advance regenerative agriculture through investment, philanthropy, and field building.
Wine Tasting Experience
Wine Tasting ExperienceMax: 8 People
Duration: 30 minutes
A curated flight of four wines crafted by talented winemakers from grapes grown in our regenerative vineyard, where sheep graze throughout the year and biodiversity thrives. Each wine tells two stories: first, of the land where these vines grow without tillage or herbicides, where cover crops feed the soil and beneficial insects provide natural pest control; second, of the winemakers who transform this fruit into distinctive wines. Matt, who spends half his time farming these very vines, shares how specific practices—from sheep grazing patterns to harvest timing—influence what you're tasting.
Vineyard Walk and Wine Tasting
Max: 10 People
Duration: 1.25 hours
Begin at the hospitality office and follow Matt up the scenic ranch road to our 25-acre regenerative vineyard, where you will enjoy stunning views of Paicines Ranch. You'll walk between vine rows where sheep graze throughout the year, examine the living soil beneath your feet, and observe the biodiversity Kelly Mulville's innovative vineyard design attracts—from beneficial insects to resident raptors. You will settle into a shaded area within the vineyard for a focused tasting of wines made from these very grapes. Matt shares the stories of the winemakers who transform this fruit into distinctive bottles, connecting what you see in the vineyard to what you taste in the glass.
Looking to create a custom experience for your visit or group event?
Lodging
We have multiple spaces located in the heart of the ranch – from cozy one-bedroom cottages to spacious four-bedroom houses with fully equipped kitchens. We currently offer self check-in and check-out with flexible hours for arrival and departure. Our rooms are simple, but have all of the necessities for a comfortable stay. What sets the Paicines Ranch apart from other destinations is the access to miles of wide open hiking trails, breath taking views, and gorgeous star-filled skies.
The Overlook
In 2023 Paicines Ranch opened the doors to The Overlook. With sweeping panoramic views of the rangeland, The Overlook curates food and wine experiences centered around seasonal fruits, vegetables, and pastured meats grown by local farmers and ranchers on the central coast of California. Menus highlight pastured lamb, beef, pork and turkey raised at Paicines Ranch and regenerative wines made with organic grapes from the Paicines Ranch Vineyard.