For a Rustic, All-Inclusive Experience in California, Consider Greenhorn Ranch

There are parts of California that very few travelers set foot in, and Plumas County is one of them. Northwest of both Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nev., the county is home to about 22,000 residents, more than 1 million acres of forest and countless pristine lakes — all of which makes it an ideal destination for anyone aiming to explore an oft-forgotten part of the West.

And, should those travelers be looking for a place to hang their hat, Greenhorn Ranch in Quincy, Calif. is ready to host them. Open in some form since 1962, the seasonal, 608-acre property currently offers 16 cabins, 12 guestrooms in its main lodge and an Airstream trailer nestled in the trees. The ranch operates as an all-inclusive, too, so clients can worry less and enjoy their vacation more, from cookouts and skeet shooting to horseback rides and live music in the on-site saloon. 

We spoke with Greenhorn Ranch owner Peter Derbonne, who purchased the ranch five years ago, to get a better picture of what clients might expect at the Quincy property.

What can you tell us about the history of the ranch?

My wife and I bought the ranch from Ralph and Trish Wilburn — Ralph was actually one of the original wranglers here, going back to about 1970. But as they got older, they didn't have the energy to keep it up. And that’s when we stepped in.

What has changed under your ownership?

We've built some employee housing, and we've renovated pretty much every room of the ranch. And we tried to be intelligent about how we did it, keeping it authentic, rustic and chic. The beds are super comfortable, the towels are soft and fluffy and the soaps and perfumes are nice. We've got an amazing chef who’s serving fantastic food, and the bar's great — so all the touch points are there, but you still feel like you're at a ranch.

We wanted it to feel like a true ranch — you do get dusty and dirty here.

On the other hand, some ranches feel like you’re at the Four Seasons. I’m not knocking that, because I think a lot of people want that experience. But we wanted it to feel like a true ranch — you do get dusty and dirty here.

What activities are available on the ranch?

We've always had a horse program, and we're one of the few ranches in the country where you can actually lope — which is a little risky, because you're letting people run. But we do an assessment test beforehand [to ensure safety]. We have guided beginner rides up to advanced rides, and wranglers to help, too.

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We also introduced electric mountain bikes, which make for a super-fun activity, and we do skeet shooting, archery and fly fishing. You can fish in our pond, or we have a certified fishing guide to lead you if you’d like to fish the river. And two years ago, we spent a lot of time creating hiking trails that are well marked. We’ve got a two-mile loop, a 10-mile loop and some at different levels. We’re on 600 acres, so you have plenty of room.

That all sounds ideal for families. Do families make up a good portion of your customers?

We host lots of families, even quite a few families, including one that’s been coming up since the early 1970s, and another family that brings three generations up together.  The ranch is a great spot for kids and families, and multigenerational families for sure.

There are no TVs or phones in any of the rooms — though the internet is better than I'd like it to be.

We have families who come up the same week every year, and they pre-book the year before. So, it's like summer camp — especially for the kids. We've got a pond right in front of the saloon, so parents can have a cocktail. And our GEMS, or guest experience managers, get involved with the kids. They'll take them for hikes and keep them busy with activities while Mom and Dad go horseback riding or skeet shooting, whatever it is that they want to do. We have a game room the kids hang out in, and they run around the property, too. There are no TVs or phones in any of the rooms — though the internet is better than I'd like it to be.

And with food included, as well, there’s very little for parents to worry about.

Correct — all meals are provided. There's no thinking about preparing a meal or going to a restaurant. Chef Brian Doyle cooks the best comfort food you’ve ever had, which is really what people expect at the ranch. The only thing that's not included is the alcohol.

How do activity packages work?

There are three different levels available. There's the Grand Adventure package, which is all your meals and two guided activities per day. Then there's a step below that, which is one activity per day. And then there's the Stay and Play option, which is what some people choose when they are bringing their older parents who aren’t riding horses or e-biking, but are meeting everyone for lunch. And that's perfect for them — they're still part of what's going on.

Does the ranch host events?

We host family reunions, corporate events and seasonal weddings, though we’re pretty picky about weddings. We typically require a buyout, so that chases a lot of people off, because there are less expensive wedding venues in the area. So, after that, we have four to five weddings a year.

We also do about 10 corporate events a year, and in those cases, we generally tailor a program to whatever they need. We've had groups come up that want to do equine therapy or yoga. And we can create the program they need.