Pool, pickleball, gathering spaces in the wine country

Whether you are craving an escape from the city and reconnecting with nature or a great place to explore all the Texas Hill Country has to offer, you'll find it here at Rancho de Vida. The relaxing starts when you turn your car into the gate. This 110-plus-year-old farmhouse has been lovingly restored and burnished into a wonderful gathering place for friends & family. It's the Texas Hill Country meets Marfa in the shadow of a 400-year-old oak in the backyard.

Dine under the canopy of the lighted oak, enjoy a campfire and gaze at the stars. Hike the property's bluffs and creek beds, float in the limestone bottom seasonal creek, take in the sunshine from the hammock and tree swing. We built a 24-foot round plaster "stock tank" swimming pool with filters, etc., to cool off and swim in. Play pickleball in our Quonset hut that with lights to extend the day's fun (net, balls and paddles are all here).

Rancho de Vida has a beautiful hilltop area with an arbor and lots of seating. Take in the views across the valley and toast each sunset. There's a stage for kids to do skits or hone their chops for the big time and a dance floor for boot scootin' to music under trees lit up with patio lights. Roast marshmallows and tell tall tales around the rock fire pit.

Keep your whole family together on your getaway...we love dogs, and dogs love us. Well-behaved, house-broken dogs are welcome. We charge $25 per night, per dog. Just let us know in advance.

Rancho de Vida has been the site of many weddings. If you are interested, please find our Rancho de Vida website with more info. (We cannot book weddings through VRBO). We charge an event fee for weddings and gatherings with additional guests.

Rancho de Vida is located right in the middle of the New Napa---at least fifty wineries are in a 20-minute drive. Historic Fredericksburg is a short drive, as is Luckenbach if you want to do some boot scootin'. Two state parks, both with water for swimming, and the LBJ National Park and the Western White House are within 15 minutes. Explore the parklike setting of bluffs and creek beds on our 68-acres and bike the quiet backroads that surround the property.

Main house: 1st-floor has a kitchen-dining room area, reading nook, sunroom, living room, master bedroom and bath. Second floor has two bedrooms and a half bath. One bedroom has one full-size bed and one queen bed, and the second bedroom has one queen bed .

Across the yard is the bunkhouse area. It has an expansive glassed-in living room with a large, comfy sectional couch, big screen TV and bar area. Watch your favorite team together while taking in the agave garden and pool area.

Need more room? A fun, air-conditioned and heated bunkhouse is an optional add-on & sleeps 9 more guests. A large bathhouse is adjacent to the bunkhouse for all guests to use and has two walk-in showers, two toilets, two sinks, and plenty of room for getting ready for a hill country night out.

Ranch location & local attractions: Austin- 1 hour away
San Antonio-1 hour away
Johnson City--10 minutes
Luckenbach-15 minutes
Marble Falls -boating & golf-- 20 minutes
Enchanted Rock & Pedernales State Park-hiking 15 to 20 minutes
Fredericksburg festivals & shopping--20 minutes
Texas Hill Country Wine Trail---10 minutes
LBJ National Historical Park--10 minutes

There are now 70-plus wineries within 20 minutes of Rancho de Vida. Let us assist you in scheduling your wine country tour---limo services are available for you and your group.

The new Hill Country Science Mill is a great outing for kids and students of all ages. In an old, converted mill in Johnson City, the Hill Country Science Mill is a family destination offering a fun, interactive learning environment for all ages. Through cutting-edge technology-based exhibits, games, and programs, the Science Mill expands students' understanding and appreciation of science in their everyday lives. By igniting their curiosity and inspiring them to pursue post-secondary education, the Science Mill experience starts students on the path to a life-long career in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).