Saddlerock Ranch — Attraction in Westlake Village

It was always a mystery to me ever since 1969, when I was a 4-year-old boy who moved to brand new Westlake Village. I looked at the beautiful hills surrounding the idyllic community and always enjoyed the very distant outcropping that looked liked a saddle or perhaps a giant frog peeking over the foothills.

Now fast forward to my age of 60. I visited my childhood town, yesterday--the last time some 25 years ago. It's an amazing place that touches my heart immensely. It's full of the best childhood memories that rivals the era of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.

Anyway, I finally decided that I had to go to that distant hill or rock or whatever it was. After much searching around , I found the somewhat hidden driveway that opens up to a huge parking lot and ranch. I found it! There was "Saddle Rock" in all of its up-close glory.

The staff in the welcoming western-style shack were the best-- very hospitable.

I asked a lot of questions, got great answers, and then I sat down and read through the big hard cover book, Saddlerock Ranch. Great presentation of a book and very well written. 5 stars for the ranch and 5 stars for the book!

Wow, I can go on and on. There were a couple of ladies sitting on the outsode porch and I offered to take a picture of them with their phone. It's a moment that they'll never forget because it was a wonderful Saturday.

Anybody who goes there will surely find peace, tranquility, and hopefully adventure.

For example, my small advenure was actually before I found the entrance driveway. About a half hour earlier, I hiked up the nearest hill on the other side of Saddle Rock across the mountain road. (Located at the fork of Encinal and Molholland; telephone pole atop). I was trying to figure out if I had the right place sincle the angle made it look totally different.

Keep in mind, I had no idea that there was a ranch. I was just looking for Saddle Rock, which I found on Google Maps. Well that takes you to an emtpy roadside dirt parking area on the other side.

If I had punched in Saddlerock Ranch, I would have found the entance diveway easily.

Well, I cut it off there. Indeed, I'll cut out 90% of the details just so you can feel free to make all of your own discoveries.

I hope to go back and check out one of their tours.

Greory L. Kinney Author Newest publication: THE SPECTACULAR SEA -...

Awesome picturesque place in the middle of the coastal Santa Monica Mountains! I’ve taken the tour and attended functions here and have had memorable experiences with all the times I’ve spent at the ranch! Saddlerock Ranch is a multipurpose place of fun, good times and agriculture. The area has a bit of nostalgia, with rustic structures, displays, tours and landscape art. The surrounding scenery is extraordinary, as it’s often reserved for backdrops of film, video and photography productions! The ranch valley may also be reserved for events, such as weddings and reception’s. Signs for invited guests may be posted at entrances off Mulholland Hwy, just west of Kanan Road. The other side of the ranch may be visited for the vineyards. Wine tours are conducted with modified passenger coaches, some vintage, passing thru working vineyards and some go out looking to continue on towards the sea! In addition is the hiking tour, with a mesmerizing stroll thru this beautiful land up in the mountains, that had me feeling on top of the world! The large parking lot here is of gravel and dirt, so shoes be-wear. There’s a tasting room and restrooms available here as well. Guests can access the parking lot with the turnoff located just beyond the event entrances, keeping right on Mulholland at the fork with Encinal Canyon Road. The entrance to the right is small and can easily be missed. Tho this is one place you don’t...

We had our daughter's wedding here. The views were amazing but the communication prior to the wedding was terrible and we ended up having to spend a lot more money due to their ridiculous terms of extra transportation, security and even had to clean up! Read the...