Nestled in Santa Margarita, California, Riata Ranch offers a tranquil retreat with breathtaking views and unique charm. Stargaze under the night sky or enjoy alfresco gatherings at the outdoor grilling area and bar.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 12418 sq m
Popular amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Add dates for prices
About this property
A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise.
The breathtaking Riata Ranch estate is a 1400-acre property nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains in Santa Margarita, California. Once inside the gates, a world of unique splendor and beauty awaits with a night sky perfect for stargazing!
The rural community of Santa Margarita is known as a stomping ground for acclaimed farm-to-table dining, wine tasting, and craft beer. The quaint village offers the solitude of country living with the bustling energy of San Luis Obispo’s thriving downtown a short 20-minute drive away. Warm spring and summer days are cooled by coastal evening breezes making the Ranch a spectacular setting for alfresco gatherings. The outdoor grilling area, bar, and large dining tables are ideal for summer gatherings.
Perched above the Ranch is the warm and inviting Ranch House. The grand residence is designed with entertaining in mind! 4,500 square feet of open-concept living boasts a professional chef’s kitchen, a grand piano, a wraparound porch, multiple outdoor entertaining areas, and a beautiful pool and spa that overlooks the property. The pool is heated from April-October (it can be heated November-March for an extra charge). The spa is heated year-round.
High end finishes and touches throughout, like John Robshaw textiles and Jerry Scott original paintings set this property apart.
Every room in the house has sweeping views that are sure to be the perfect backdrop for memories yet to come. With four cozy and comfortable bedrooms, a grand living room accentuated by a floor to ceiling stone fireplace and a spacious family room/loft, Riata Ranch offers the perfect gathering space for friends and family.
From the moment you enter in the front gates you will know you just found your home away from home. Easy day trips from the Ranch House are Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Big Sur, and Paso Robles and Edna Valley Wine Country.
Riata Ranch offers a distinct and magical setting for your life's most treasured moments. Please message us for more information or call to discuss how we can make your stay a one-of-a-kind memorable experience.
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Sauna
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Chef service
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Stereo
TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor entertainment area
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Service animals only (pets not allowed)
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Limited housekeeping
Location highlights
In a rural location
In the mountains
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Table tennis
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights
Please close pool cover
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 6006284
About the area
Located in Santa Margarita, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Pozo Saloon and Atascadero Historical Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial and Fremont Theater. Travelling with kids? Consider Charles Paddock Zoo, or check out an event or a game at Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Visit our Santa Margarita travel guide
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
19 min drive - 28.0 km
Pozo Valley Winery
7 min drive - 10.2 km
Santa Margarita Lake
7 min drive - 9.1 km
Ancient Peaks Winery
8 min drive - 10.9 km
Pozo Saloon
15 min drive - 25.4 km
Getting around
San Luis Obispo Station
20 min drive
San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP-San Luis Obispo County Regional)
42 min drive
Restaurants
Ancient Peaks Winery
7 min drive
The Porch Cafe
7 min drive
The Range
7 min drive
Tacos de Guisado "Camacho
7 min drive
POZO Saloon
11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise. have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
Is A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise. pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much is parking at A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise. located?
Located in the mountains, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Santa Margarita Lake, Pozo Valley Winery, and Ancient Peaks Winery. Atascadero State Hospital is 11 mi (17.7 km) away.
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A peaceful Coastal California oasis and outdoor paradise. Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The property is clean, spacious and luxurious. The kitchen is well stocked. I especially appreciate the location and the quiet; love to hear the birds and cows. Very relaxing.
For the first time I've ever stayed at a Vrbo, the photos didn't even do it justice. The place is even better in person! The place was immaculate, super comfortable and just all around awesome!
A Slice of Heaven at Riata Ranch: A Perfect Family Escape
Our stay at Riata Ranch was nothing short of amazing! The property grounds were beautiful, offering plenty of opportunities to be outside, walk around, and enjoy the stunning views. The kids loved exploring and had a blast hanging out in the spacious upstairs area. For the adults, the numerous sitting nooks outside provided the perfect spots to relax and unwind, all while staying connected with everyone else. As soon as we got home, we found ourselves wishing we were back at Riata Ranch and dreaming of our next visit. We can't wait to return!"
Had an incredible weekend staying at the Riata Ranch. Staying at a beautiful location was a fantastic way to get the family to make a trip together. The wrap around porch and outdoor seating is set up so that the group could come together for activities... but also have private time to read a book or just get away from the hustle. Pool and outdoor set up is perfect for family fun and BBQs. Outdoor seating is perfect to take in the gorgeous view of the ranch. Absolutely a 5 star stay.
Would have been all 5s, except all but one door knob would pull off, just a few cobwebs……overall a great property, beautiful setting, entire family said they had the best nights sleep ever, wanted to know all bedding brands, they loved it. Plenty of wildlife around…..nothing dangerous
We loved our 3 nights at the ranch and only wish it could have been a full week. We had a dinner event while we were there and everybody was responsive and helpful with all the many many details we needed to take care of. Be aware the caretaker has dogs and they will be at the place. We love dogs and it wasn't a big deal, we just asked him to keep them in during our party and he complied. House could use better cookware (it has everything, the pans were just low quality) Overall, this place is amazing and I can't say enough good about it.
We just returned from our 3rd Summer stay at Riata Ranch and it is by far our families’ favorite place to go. We enjoyed morning walks, sitting by the pool, reading, cooking in the well stocked kitchen, bbq’ing, watching movies and stargazing. The layout of this house makes it very easy for all 3 generations to travel together, with the kids upstairs and the parents (us) and grandparents downstairs. The bed linens are all high quality, there are white pottery barn slip covered cozy down couches, high end down pillows, and the mattress’ are super comfortable. The wraparound decks provide a nice place to escape the sunshine! The host Alex is awesome, extremely responsive and wonderful. When we stay at Riata, we feel like it’s an extension of our own homes. It’s just so nice to spend quality time in nature together as a family and we can’t wait to go back next year!
For several years our family has had an annual beach-week retreat. We usually have between 10 and 15 people from 3 generations from No and So CA, TN, & NC., this year four. Some years we’ve booked vacation rentals that were very nice and other times a bit disappointing. Because rates near the water have greatly inflated, we decided to try an earlier stay at a more rural location. This luxurious ranch house in the oak studded rolling hills of the central coast was a find, the views from every window were glorious. The weather was swim worthy yet cooled in the evening. We played games and read and visited. The cooks among us did justice to the large, well-appointed kitchen and BBQ. The 7 days sped by all too fast. We weren’t disappointed in the new type venue.
Our three-generation, eight-person family enjoyed our vacation at Riata Ranch immensely! …… OVERVIEW: Gorgeous location, luxury estate, well-stocked with great amenities! We appreciated the attention to detail and cleanliness…... LOCATION: Secluded estate with sweeping views of rolling golden hills. Spectacular nighttime star-gazing, sky free of light pollution……. HOUSE & GROUNDS: Vast picture windows highlighting the views, river rock fireplace extending up to the vaulted ceilings. Ample seating areas inside and out. Delightful wrap-around deck with spacious dining area, where we enjoyed sunset dinners nightly in peace and quiet. Gracious landscaping and well-maintained property…… AMENITIES: quality appliances including warming and cooling drawers, fresh flowers, BBQ station with bar seating, eco-friendly soaps, bonus water filter in master bedroom, quality bedding and linens, pool and jacuzzi with resort seating, ping pong table, horse shoe toss, walking trails……. NEARBY: zip-lining, ATV sand dune riding, Sensorio Art Installation, Pismo and Avila Beaches, downtown San Luis Obispo. ….. We were delighted to stay here and look forward to returning!
Appreciated: Cleanliness and attention to detail
The house was perfect for Thanksgiving with our family of 10. It is an idyllic setting. Our weather was absolutely beautiful in late November and that allowed us to enjoy all the surroundings. We felt that we were at a luxury retreat. The back patio area, lawns, and spa are gorgeous. The house itself is very spacious, beautifully furnished, squeaky clean, and so comfortable. So many extras -- three fireplaces, giant porches with lots of seating, a piano, games, and a very complete kitchen that accommodates multiple cooks. We would love to return!
Another magical stay at the Riata Ranch in the books! This was the 4th year the family has come to stay - and we are already making plans for next year’s trip! Alex and Mike are incredible hosts - super responsive to any questions or needs. And we always look forward to seeing Cash and Rocky (Mike’s dogs).
Our second time at the “ranch” and all was perfect once again. A very relaxing vacation was had, reading by the pool, watching the cattle, doing puzzles and playing games. Town and activities are rather far away, so we embraced the quiet peace.
We look forward to coming to Riata as a family every summer (this was our 4th return visit) and it never disappoints! It is always clean, with high quality linens, comfortable living areas and bedrooms and an incredibly private location. It’s easy to prepare food in the gourmet kitchen and even though it’s remote it’s not too remote and is also very convenient to have instacart deliver groceries right to the door. We love it here and enjoy coming with our children and grandparents. Can’t wait to come back next year!