Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting

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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

15 bedrooms11 bathroomsSleeps 30557.4 sq m

Popular amenities

Barbecue grill
Kitchen
Pool
Fireplace
Parking available
Washer

Explore the area

Santa Margarita, CA

Pozo Saloon
‪7 min drive‬
Santa Margarita Lake
‪12 min drive‬
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
‪62 min drive‬
San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP-San Luis Obispo County Regional)
‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

15 bedrooms (sleeps 30)

1-Glacier Park Bedroom

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

2-Cape Cod Room

2 Single Beds

3-Log Cabin Room

1 Single Bed

4-Yellowstone Room

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

5-Stars and Stripes Room

1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds

6-Golf Den

2 Single Beds

7-Fox Hunt Room

2 Single Beds

8-Vineyard Room

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

9-Yosemite Suite

1 Queen Bed

10-Northern Exposure Room

2 Single Beds

11-French Country Bedroom

2 Single Beds

12 - The Bunkhouse

2 Single Bunk Beds

13-Cotes d'Rhone bedroom

2 Single Beds

14-John Deere Room

2 Single Beds

18-Cottage at the Pool

1 Queen Bed

Cottage at the Pool

1 Single Bed

11 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 7

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 8

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 9

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 11

Toilet · Shower only

Cottage at Pool bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Outdoor play area

Dining area

About this property

The Oak Creek Ranch is a secluded 163 acre property in a rural setting with a beautiful main Lodge and several accessory buildings.

Situated at approx 2,000 ft. elevation, the setting consists of rolling foothills and mature oak trees, rich with nature and wildlife. Groups can create their own personalized vacation stay from the many options available to them. The Ranch offers a full range of facilities and amenities to guests: gracious Lodge, beautiful outdoor amphitheater, large recreation barn, majestic swimming pool surrounded by mature oaks, poolside bar, yoga/exercise studio and much more. Whether you are interested in quiet relaxation or active exercise and recreation, there is plenty to do while staying at the Oak Creek Ranch Retreat, including scenic mountain walking and biking trails, swimming, wildlife viewing, star gazing, games and much more. It is a wonderful location for adults and children of all ages!

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo County, the Oak Creek Ranch is close to a variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from fresh water or saltwater fishing, golf, antique shopping, wine tasting, dancing and concerts, to touring world-famous Hearst Castle.

The Ranch can accommodate groups from 15 guests to 30 guests. The daily Rate as shown is based on a group size of 15 guests, with an additional charge for any guests above 15. The main Lodge can sleep 22, the Barn can sleep 6 to 8, and the Pool Cottage can accommodate up to 3 more guests. Additional fees for use of extra facilities.

Keywords: private resort, retreat, estate,

Property manager

Dottie Nelson

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

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Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 24

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

A wonderful venue for families--.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

1. Three-night minimum stay during the months of June, July and August. Rates based on number of guests.

2. If furniture has been moved and not returned to its original location, a surplus cleaning fee will be charged for furniture moving.

3. No pets allowed, no exceptions.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Santa Margarita

Located in Santa Margarita, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Fremont Theater and Ah Louis Store are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Talley Vineyards and Edna Valley Vineyard. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Santa Margarita, CA

What's nearby

Pozo Saloon - 7 min drive - 6.6 km
Santa Margarita Lake - 12 min drive - 7.9 km
Pismo Beach Pier - 59 min drive - 71.6 km
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo - 62 min drive - 52.5 km
Lopez Lake Recreation Area - 94 min drive - 90.1 km

Getting around

San Luis Obispo Station - 44 min drive
San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP-San Luis Obispo County Regional) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

‪Pozo Saloon - ‬7 min drive
‪Vintage Cowboy Santa Margarita - ‬8 min drive
‪Vintage Cowboy - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from Los Padres National Forest and 4.9 mi (7.9 km) from Santa Margarita Lake. Silver Lake and Atascadero Lake Park are also within 32 miles (52 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Connie S.

4 November 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion

We have returned to the Lodge and so appreciate the space and beauty of the Lodge and surrounding area. It is a wonderful place to get multiple families together.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lorrie R.

21 August 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent space for a team retreat!

We really enjoyed the opportunity to stay at the ranch. it was an ideal place for team building, work sessions, cooking together and relaxing.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

C B.

27 August 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Family reunion 2024

We had a blast together , loved the pool, a bit farther out than I expected , but property and privacy was worth it

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew S.

31 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great setting for a family reunion

We enjoyed hiking, biking, yoga and visiting Santa Margarita Lake. The property is beautiful. It accommodated our family reunion of 14 adults and 5 kids well. They took us on a hay ride of the property one evening.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charlie N.

15 March 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A lovely space for a group of childhood friends as we gathered to celebrate our history

An effortless process.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen P.

17 November 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely place for large friends reunion

Beautiful location with plenty of things to do. There walking paths, swimming pool, bocci ball court, yoga room. The living room was a great gathering place for conversation and relaxing. There is a nice deck that was good for stargazing at night. The kitchen was well stocked. Check in/out was easy. I’d recommend this place for large gatherings.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Craig P.

25 September 2010

Awesome place for a large gathering

We just returned from a long weekend at this property.......there were a lot of us (adults and children) and we had a great time. From the pool and bar area, to the barn to the main house, there was more than enough things to keep us busy (and relaxed). I would recommend this location for any large gathering looking to get away in a peaceful and beautiful countryside. We all enjoyed the property so much, that we plan on returning in a few years!

10/10 Excellent

Frank P., Greer, SC

9 February 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Return Visit

My organization has stayed at this property multiple times using it as the site of our annual board retreat. We love it! Dottie and her team have always been the perfect hosts. Any issue or request that we have ever made has been attended to immediately. I am pleased to recommend the Lodge to anyone interested in staying there. A great place to relax, recharge and refresh.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sean H., Half Moon Bay, CA

6 August 2013

Excellent retreat space

I organized a large family reunion at Oak Creek Ranch this year, and it was a huge success! Everyone who attended really enjoyed the location, the Lodge and other cabins, the outdoor space, and the comforts of the overall environment. We organized a couple of events (wine tasting on site, star gazing with guide from SLO astronomical society, Hearst Castle tour), and various groups also went off for smaller group events such as horse back riding, Pismo Beach outing, golf, wine tasting at wineries, etc. Overall, it was a rejuvenating experience, and the location really helped us connect with each other. I would definitely recommend Oak Creek Ranch for similar types of outings. We will hopefully be back soon!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

carol C., San Luis Obispo, CA

5 June 2013

Perfect spot for educational conference

We are a group of life and executive coaches who gather each year to further our own learning and deepen our relationships. (We've been colleagues for a decade or more). We are pretty strict about our requirements (enough bathrooms, quiet space, kitchen facilities--we love cooking for each other-- grounds for outdoor learning activities, indoor and outdoor spaces for conversations--pairs, small groups and whole group (up to 20 people). Oak Creek Ranch fulfilled all our desires and more. Very quiet, extraordinary private location with fun amenities plus a lovely staff. We had all we needed to make our event a total success. Thank you!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

20 July 2011

Family Reunion at Oak Creek Ranch

My family of 23 loved our week at the Lodge at Oak Creek Ranch! Bedrooms and bathrooms in the Lodge and the Big Red Barn provided plenty of space for us all. We loved the versatility of the living room. Several sitting areas allowed different activities to take place at the same time, but with minimal reorganization, we could all sit in one group when we wanted to have a single discussion or play a game together. I can't remember any other reunion venue where our large family could be seated in the same room at the same time. We didn't have the luxury of Dottie's cooking as described by other reviewers, but the kitchen was well set-up for guest usage. The huge outdoor pool was also well set-up with everything we needed to enjoy it. Having such a large property all to ourselves was a treat indeed. Our stay exceeded our expectations!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy D.

28 July 2014

Perfect place for a large group

Our group of 7 families take an annual trip. We find a new location each year and were so happy to find Oak Lodge this time. The property was ideal for our purposes. There were enough bedrooms for families to sleep comfortably. There was plenty of indoor space for the kids to set up their legos, art projects, and puzzles. The dining area was perfect with two large tables, so the adults could have a peaceful dinner as the kids ate. The pool area was great for lounging and relaxing. The kitchen is designed for large groups and had everything we needed to prepare our meals. The outdoor space is incredible. We enjoyed the trails on the property and bocce ball each afternoon was fun too! The owners couldn't have been nicer. They answered all of our random questions and even sent us a bag of clothes we left behind. We would highly recommend this property and hope to return with our group.

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

14 February 2018

Epic property in a gorgeous outdoor setting

Words cannot describe how awesome this place is...5 stars is not even close to enough! It's impossible to choose which aspect of the place is the most impressive: the various houses with their distinct charms and great decorations, the property itself with seemingly endless trails and perfect sunset views, or the complete privacy of it all. My group was here for 3 days celebrating a college reunion...if we didn't have wives and kids to get back to I think we would have unanimously agreed to stay here forever! Plenty of beds to accommodate large groups, fun times playing games in the yard during the day and in the huge open barn at night, and legendary star-gazing after hours. The kitchen is professional grade...we had lots of fun cooking meals together and sitting around the dining room table telling stories. Dottie was helpful throughout the rental process and always friendly when we spoke. I can't recommend this place enough for your next large getaway with family and/or friends! My group certainly hopes to stay here many more time over the years. Truly a special and unforgettable place. Thank you!!!

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

Beverly C., San Francisco

30 December 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Best Great Room!

The property was large and more than we needed for our family of 16. The great room was exceptional - we loved that all of us could be together in it and the kitchen. If you value family togetherness, this is your property. We were, however, puzzled that the kitchen was not updated. Because of the property's remote location, we really had no choice but to cook onsite...the old kitchen made feeding everyone more difficult than it should have been. The bedrooms & the smallish bathrooms were adequate. When one toilet clogged, Brook & Tom were wonderful in their very quick response. Both Brook & Tom were helpful in making our stay enjoyable. The barn and pool house were incredible activity spaces: lounging, ping pong, foosball, yoga & exercise. Please note the pool is not heated. Our group also loved walking around the 160+ acre property. One other concern: we were pretty far from emergency medical services. Luckily this was not an issue for my 90-year-old+ parents. Be sure to ask Brook about how to get help. Dottie, Brook & Tom, many thanks for an unforgettable vacation!!!!!

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Barbara F., Corpus Christi, TX

24 July 2013

Family Reunion at Oak Creek Lodge

My family of 27 plus one on the way thoroughly enjoyed our 3 day stay at Oak Creek. The kitchen and living area of the lodge provided all the space needed for fun and fellowship. The bedrooms were exactly as pictured down to the bedding. The industrial sized kitchen was great for cooking our meals and it was so nice to have everyone sitting together in the large dining room. Vi Richards, Dottie’s friend gave us a great tour on arrival and we knew we could call on her if we needed anything. The beautifully maintained pool and the adjacent pool house were incredible and with the hundred degree heat was a very welcome respite. The one suggestion I have is to consider installing an ice machine on the premise. Even with everyone bringing ice we still had to make one ice run to Atascadero. We had a very special moment one evening when after dinner there was a very small rain shower after which the most beautiful rainbow graced the sky. At that point my family knew Mom and Dad were smiling down from heaven enjoying OCL as much as we were. I wish we had more time to spend on this lovely property. The time just flew by and too quickly it was time to say goodbye to everyone. I would recommend Oak Creek to anyone. Thanks Dottie for allowing my family to stay on your amazing property!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David P., San Francisco

10 April 2012

A very happy birthday weekend!

I recently rented the Oak Creek Ranch for a long weekend to celebrate my 40th birthday with family and friends and had a fantastic experience there. Dottie was a great host ... she promptly answered our many questions about the property before we arrived, gave us a detailed tour when we got there, and then left us to enjoy the weekend in complete privacy. The property -- which includes four buildings (two of which are rented separately) -- comfortably slept all of our guests, which ranged in number between 12-34 over the course of the weekend. A subset of this group has a tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving together and we have rented many homes surrounding the SF bay area over the years ... Oak Creek Ranch is now one of our favorites, and definitely provided the most spacious accommodations. We thought the rental rate was reasonable, the rooms were clean, and the house had everything we needed (including a great griddle in the kitchen for making breakfast). It really is an ideal setting for a casual gathering of family, friends, or co-workers. The surroundings are beautiful ... there are hiking trails over the rolling green hills right on the property that everyone really enjoyed. We saw tons of deer, rabbits, and even heard coyotes howling at night! And the drive there (from San Francisco), was very easy ... and very scenic once you're off the highway. Overall, a great experience ... and we're already looking forward to our next visit. Thanks Dottie!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

10 July 2013

Very satisfied with our stay at the Oak Creek Lodge in Santa Margarita

My organization had a national staff retreat, and we selected Oak Creek Lodge for our venue this year. This place is beautiful - the scenery is amazing, the building units were very spacious, and all of the rooms accommodated most of our sessions and housing requirements. Dottie, the property owner, is very professional. She accommodated us from the beginning of signing the contract and throughout our stay. Dottie is also very responsive; she answered all of my questions very quickly and provided recommendations for nearby chefs and caterers. She ensured that the buildings were fully equipped with kitchenware, toiletries, and various necessities just to ensure our staff were pleased with their stay. I will admit that the internet connection and cell reception were very spotty in the lodge, and you will find parts of the site that get signal. Though, I'll be honest, I didn't mind taking a break from the world of technology for a short bit since we were there specifically to focus on work. With that said, if you want you and your group to remain focused and avoid any and all distractions, OCL is a great place to hold your event. Also, there is no A/C in the barn so if you choose to hold meetings there, make sure it's not 100 degrees outside (conveniently, there's a pool that helped take care of that problem). Needless to say, OCL is an extremely beautiful and incredible site. I recommend holding your next event there!

10/10 Excellent

Robert S., -

20 September 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

60th wedding anniversary - all of our children and grandchildren (18 total)

Perfect for our family. Lots to do. Remote so everyone stayed around and we were able to enjoy each other's company. Large commons room. plenty of dining space. Many bedrooms and beds (Comfortable) and many bathrooms. Large kitchen with all amenities. Host and daughter were very friendly and helpful.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Armelle D., San Francisco

6 September 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay at the Lodge !

Everything was perfect and our guests enjoyed the stay and the pool !

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mike A.

14 August 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great escape!

We were a mix of 27 adults and kids who spent a long weekend together at this fantastic property for a reunion. What a perfect location. It's size comfortably accommodated all of us. We made use of the large pool, the entertainment area in the barn, the large kitchen for meal prep, large tables for dining, and the numerous spaces around the property for relaxing and enjoying the nature that surrounded us. Several of us took advantage of the trail system on the property for hikes or runs. Check in and check out were easy as was communication with the host. Highly recommend!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kirstin P.

22 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for a family reunion

We had a wonderful four days at the Lodge. It was perfect for our family, plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, lots of space both indoors and out to hang out, including the pool. Dottie was very responsive and responded promptly to all our questions. Kitchen was nicely equipped for preparing meals for almost 30 people. Altogether a great place to stay for,this kind of gathering.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bill H.

16 November 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

College friends reunion

What an amazing property, we loved it. Great support from the staff. Clean, well stocked, had everything we needed. Highly recommended.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andy W.

4 November 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice visit

Great location, and lovely property!

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kendall J.

19 October 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for our wedding party and friends!

We rented the lodge for our wedding party and few friends during our wedding weekend. The property was fantastic and worked out really well for our group. There was plenty of room for everyone and lots to do without even leaving the property. Dottie was very easy to work with and very responsive to messages. Our only regret is that we didn’t stay longer!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janice E.

18 October 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Family Reunion

We had a fabulous family reunion. Property and amenities are amazing. Three years ago we stayed here as well. However, we woke up the second and third mornings to no power. 6 hours of no power the first time. The last morning was a challenge packing up with no power. We couldn't communicate with the property manager. But we didn't let it dampen our enthusiasm for our wonderful reunion.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

About the host

Hosted by Dottie Nelson

We have owned this beautiful property for more than 30 years. Our family has enjoyed family gatherings and group events here for a long time, and we are happy to share the opportunity with other groups so that they can experience the beauty and serenity of The Lodge at Oak Creek Ranch.

Why they chose this property

We bought this property in the mid-80s. It was an old Campfire Girl’s camp that Campfire no longer needed. Jeff’s sister was a Campfire board member who introduced us to it. Early years were all vision and planning. We slowly began making improvements from 2000 to 2009. We have controlled every detail of the development and continue to work each time we are here to make it a little better.

It enriches our lives to share this place with people, hoping that they leave with just a little more positive spirit. It is a wonderful place to just connect with people and nature in a world where those simple acts are challenging.

What makes this property unique

The remote location and serene setting, along with the fact that rental groups have exclusive use of the entire property, make Oak Creek Ranch the perfect location for corporate retreats, family reunions and other intimate gatherings.

Languages:

English

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Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting

Photo gallery for Beautiful Ranch Retreat in Nature Setting

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

15 bedrooms (sleeps 30)

1-Glacier Park Bedroom

2-Cape Cod Room

3-Log Cabin Room

4-Yellowstone Room

5-Stars and Stripes Room

6-Golf Den

7-Fox Hunt Room

8-Vineyard Room

9-Yosemite Suite

10-Northern Exposure Room

11-French Country Bedroom

12 - The Bunkhouse

13-Cotes d'Rhone bedroom

14-John Deere Room

18-Cottage at the Pool

Cottage at the Pool

11 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 8

Bathroom 9

Bathroom 11

Cottage at Pool bathroom

Spaces

About this property