Sunset Magazine claims “the first glimpse of
Carmel Valley will leave you sighing for more”. The valley was
home to the late John Steinbeck who described it with colorful
enthusiasm in his book titled “Pastures of Heaven”. The Carmel
River courses out of the Santa Lucia Mountains and flows to the
ocean leaving deep pools filled with steelhead trout and tidal
flats where birds bask in the sun. This historic and fertile
valley was once home to the Esselen and Ohlone tribes who
inhabited this region for centuries. The Carmel Valley was
formally “discovered” in 1602 by Spanish Explorer Carmelite Friar
Sebastian Vizcaino. Established by the area’s first Mission in
1770, Carmel later became a Mexican territory and eventually part
of the United States in 1848 as a result of the Mexican-American
War. Relatively untouched for generations since the original
Spanish land grants, the area was traditionally made up of working
dairies, farms and ranches. Oak Ridge Ranch remains one of the
only original ranches located in Carmel Valley granted to the
Bloomquist family in the late 1800’s. The majority of these lands
have been transformed into esteemed wineries. Situated less than
an hour from Pebble Beach, and the famous Big Sur coast, the
locale offers an array of activities from fine dining to
outstanding golf.
Carmel Valley Village lies a mere 10
miles from the estate, with its selection of fine dining, wine
tastings, art galleries and unique boutique shops all brimming
with charm. Continue along the Carmel Valley Road past beautiful
wineries and organic farms another 10 miles and you arrive at the
legendary town of Carmel-by-the-Sea which overflows with
quaintness. For many years, this area has been a notorious haven
for Hollywood Elite, artists and writers. Additional services are
easily found in the city of Monterey within 30 miles of the ranch.
