When we think of California, we think of Hollywood, celebrities, endless traffic, and bright city lights. But tucked away in Northern California’s Lost Sierra is Greenhorn Ranch, a place that feels like a completely different side of the state – one filled with horses, outdoor barbecues, and campfires.

The 608-acre property is surrounded by towering pine trees, mountain views, open meadows, and plenty of Western charm to make it feel like you didn’t even leave Texas. Located in Quincy, California, Greenhorn Ranch has been welcoming guests since 1962 and offers a stunning backdrop throughout its May – October season.

The property was once a humble goat farm during the Gold Rush, and has since evolved into an authentic retreat where guests return year after year to create lasting memories.

The best part about Greenhorn Ranch is the all-inclusive packages. Once you arrive, there’s not much left to figure out aside from what you want to do next. Meals are covered and activities are organized, and they even provide transportation from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The all-inclusive season runs from May through October, making fall a particularly great time to visit the property, or the perfect excuse to start planning ahead for next year’s season.

Featuring 16 rustic, cozy cabins, 12 rooms in the main lodge, and a fully restored Airstream camper, you’ll easily make yourself at home here. The pace is slower, and the atmosphere is casual and comfortable enough to feel like you’re being invited into someone’s beautiful backyard. Expect your days to revolve around outdoor adventures, good food, and plenty of free time to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Dining at the Chuckhouse quickly became one of my favorite places to slow down. I enjoyed sitting outside looking out at the trees and mountains, feeling the cool breeze on my face–something we sometimes lack during the Texas heat. The menu is led by Chef Brian Doyle, showcasing local produce, grilled prime cuts of meat, and freshly caught fish with bold flavors and satisfying portions. For all-inclusive guests, three made-from-scratch meals are provided each day, and on Friday nights, they have a barbecue cookout on the lawn overlooking the lake.

To fully immerse yourself in the ranch experience, horseback riding is a must-do activity. I suggest dressing the part and bringing your own cowboy hat and boots. The boots are required, actually. If you don’t own a pair, the ranch provides cowboy boots to choose from. I felt absolutely fabulous in my borrowed boots with cheetah print on the inside. As a Texan, I don’t own a pair of cowboy boots–and yes, I know it sounds almost criminal–but I promise that will change!

Cowboy hats are also encouraged and, although I didn’t bring my own, the ranch was nice enough to let me borrow one of theirs (at least for a few pictures). It also gave me the perfect excuse to wear a denim vest my grandmother had cut and slashed a while ago. She has since passed, so being able to wear it at a place I know she would’ve loved made it even more special.

My horse, Rojo, kept us toward the front of the group, allowing me an amazing view of the surrounding landscape. We rode beneath red oak trees with mountain peaks in the distance, the kind of scenery you see on a postcard, and definitely don’t see back in Texas. One thing about Rojo, he kept snacking along the way! He proved to make a great riding companion. By the end of the ride, I was attached to Rojo and had developed a newfound love for horses.

Skeet shooting turned out to be an unexpected highlight. I did not expect to discover that I might have a hidden talent! The ranch provides 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotguns (the 20-gauge has less kick), ammunition, clay pigeons, ear protection and, of course, expert instruction.

During my first round, I managed to hit every target. My instructor Zeke later told me that no one else has managed to do that on their first round. So by the third round, I was feeling less like a travel writer and more like Sharpshooter Annie Oakley! Ironically, I wrote a paper about her in high school. Someone asked if I was ex-military, and another woman even suggested I consider competing professionally. For someone who had only shot a gun once in her life, it was an unexpected surprise that made for an unforgettable experience. As a native Californian put it: “Looks like Texas won this time!”

If you want to try your hand at archery, you can try the traditional hay bale targets or experience life-like target practice on the 3-D Archery course, with targets shaped like boar, turkey, and deer, hidden in the woods for some extra adventure.

That’s the beauty in Greenhorn Ranch, there’ s so much to do. You can choose whether you want the experience to be adventurous or more laid-back. Either way, this is a great opportunity to try your hand at something new: you can go fly fishing on the wild river, explore the backcountry via a forest hike or electric mountain bikes, play a round at one of the nearby championship golf courses, try some ranch roping, or enjoy a laid-back game of volleyball or frisbee golf on the lawn.

If you’re in the mood for some simple pleasures, spend a lazy afternoon by the pool, play a game of giant Jenga, fling a few horseshoes, take on family and friends at a game of cornhole or show off your dancing skills with western line dancing. I personally enjoyed the Sip and Paint activity–something all ages can enjoy (minus the “sip” part for the little ones).

The little ones will enjoy the ranch just as much as you! There’s also plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, including horseshoe painting, leather working, pony leads, obstacle courses, tie dye, nature crafts, exciting hands-on projects, and much more! It’s the kind of place where kids will forget about their screens for hours without even realizing it.

When the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t stop! Families can enjoy movie night and s’mores by the campfire. Karaoke at the Saloon had kids singing their little hearts out, with parents cheering them on the sidelines.

Adults can enjoy the evening, too. Grabbing a drink at the Saloon is a great way to socialize with others or and enjoy the lively nightlife.

When it was time for me to leave, I understood why families return here year after year, making traditions of their own. Between discovering my new love for horses, unlocking a hidden talent for skeet shooting, spending the afternoons outdoors and evenings around a campfire, this was the kind of trip that will stick with me forever. I arrived as a bootless Texan, but I left with a new appreciation for ranch life.

California may not be what Texans picture when they think of a “western getaway”–but that’s exactly what makes Greenhorn Ranch so special. We might be used to the familiar comforts of the ranch culture, but the difference here is the breathtaking backdrop. Instead of the wide-open landscapes and Texas heat, you have towering pine trees and cool mountain air. Throw in the all-inclusive luxury and endless activities, and it begs the question: how could you not want to visit?

Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic couple’s getaway, or just simply looking for an excuse to slow down and try something new, Greenhorn Ranch is a Western escape that deserves a spot at the top of your travel bucket list.

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Photo cover courtesy Greenhorn Ranch

Leean Vargas is the The Lone Star Low Down newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.