All four Vixens, plus three children of the Vixens  had a wonderful opportunity to “live” the experiences at 14 Oaks Ranch (I think a few memories were made where the kids were concerned!)  Located in the rolling hills of the Gold Country in Yuba County, about an hour’s drive from the Sacramento Airport, sits a truly lovely hidden ranch style estate.  Once off the freeway, the drive through various country roads is restful and pretty, passing orchards, fields, and then the oak tree dotted rolling hills until, surprise of surprises, we saw two beautiful and quite unexpected zebra grazing, and wait, on the other side of the road were majestic buffalo!  What?  We knew we were in for a big treat.  A bit farther and around a curve or two we came upon 14 Oaks Ranch.

The Ranch House is on a knoll with an expansive manicured lawn, a huge Heritage Valley Oak with tire swing (sweet), and a 180 degree Western view of the valley below with the fantastic ancient Sutter Buttes mountain formation as the focal piece.  I could never get tired of that view!  14 Oaks Ranch is on an impressive 220 acres. We see this venue utilized for a private, intimate wedding, family gatherings, team building or even a small corporate retreat.  We envisioned a sweet wedding on the lawn, under the spreading oak tree, decorating with all the fun country-spun rustic elements, and then the opportunity to share time by having your family and close friends remain and play for a number of days thereafter.  (Side note:  If you want to skip the family gathering, consider this property as a perfect elopement venue.; an officiant, a witness, and the honeymoon starts right there!!)  This property is private and all yours.  The large beautifully decorated Ranch house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, (each with their own décor and theme name, such as “Cowboy,” “Indian” and “Outlaw”), and then there is the Guest House with four more bedrooms/bathrooms, also wonderfully decorated.

For a celebration dinner, a caterer could be retained to bring in and serve the feast, or for that family experience, there is a convenient barbeque and the large kitchen could be the hub for awesome creations (grandma, mama, and aunties would love to be part of this scene).  This is your home away from home.

During your stay, 14 Oaks Ranch has  two resident “ranch hands” who will set up and teach optional activities such as skeet shooting and/or archery, show the many trails for hiking and point out the Indian grinding rocks at a nearby creek.  Several guests can pile into the back of a pickup truck for a short drive to the zebra and buffalo enclosure for feeding time.  What an experience that was!   The sweet zebra pair are beautiful – their names are Daisy and Marty and the photo ops are abundant!  There are so many fun activities this ranch has to offer, you’ll go to bed exhausted!

If you’re looking for something laid back, there are horse shoes and shuffleboard, which even still a rousing competitive team building competition can take place with these activities!  However, there is always the do-nothing approach to 14 Oaks Ranch which is to relax on the fantastic large front porch, drinking morning coffee, or sipping wine while watching the sunset – with the added bonus of that that outstanding view.  At night, the star gazing is amazing.

Check out more photos and details of our weekend at the Ranch on the blog here

~ Vixen Lora