TEHACHAPI, CA - For six generations, the Rankin Ranch, nestled in the Tehachapi mountains, has been family owned and known for its unique cattle ranching.
The ranch opened its doors for spring break Friday afternoon, as it celebrates a milestone.
Rankin Ranch is one of California's oldest working cattle ranches.
"It's a totally different world up here," said Amanda Rankin-Barrett, ranch owner.
"It's a slower pace of life. There's no cell service, no TV, no telephone. So, it makes you just slow down for a minute and live in the moment and create memories that last a lifetime."
The ranch is hidden in between mountains off Highway 58 and offers the Old West lifestyle.
This year, the ranch is celebrating 150 years of cattle ranching.
"We have horses here that we use for both the cattle ranch and the guest ranch. We have our little petting farm with chickens, sheep, and goats, a miniature horse and miniature donkey," said Rankin-Barrett.
The ranch was established in 1863 by Walker Rankin, and six generations later it's still in the family. Rankin family members live and work on the ranch and say they never plan to leave.
"When you live and grow up here, you get attached to these mountains and this lifestyle," said Bill Rankin, ranch owner.
In 1965, the family decided to open the ranch to the public for six months out of the year.
Since then, the 31,000 acre ranch has captivated visitors from around the world, who call the Rankin Ranch, a vacation destination.
"A lot of them are repeat guests," said Glenda Rankin, ranch owner. "They've been coming for years and years and they have the feeling of Rankin Ranch being part of their family, and we definitely feel like they are part of our family."
"People who come as children come back as adults and they say it's just like it was, that I remember when I was a kid, except the trees are bigger."
The family says 150 years later, the ranch is stronger than ever and they're happy to be opening their doors to the world.
The ranch is located in Walker Basin and is open from March through the last weekend in September.
The Rankin family says the guest ranch still has cabins available.
You can call them at 867-2511.
