Ranch History

The CircleBarB Ranch was originally part of the Ortega - Stokes 1843 Mexican Land Grant. This property was eventually split up and sold. Florence Brown and her good friend Ed Randolph purchased an initial 60 acres in 1939. Located 3 miles up rural Refugio canyon with its' steep mountainsides and a small orchard of walnut and olive trees offered Florence a perfect place to build a guest ranch.

Her experience came from operating the Holt Guest Ranch on her aunts' property in Los Alamos, California. Florence named the ranch CircleBarB and thought that the property offered a quiet place for travelers to relax. It was beautiful, alive with lush vegetation, a stream that ran year round and plenty of acres for horseback riding. She built her home there and added a few cabins for guests in the 1940's.

Additional acreage was purchased, more buildings and guest facilities were added as the ranch became a popular destination for families who wanted a special kind of vacation experience.

Her son, Jim Brown, eventually took over the guest ranch and his wife started the Dinner Theater. The Browns and their children still currently own and operate the guest ranch and stables. A new lodge with a full bar, game room and meeting facilities were built in 2003. And recently they just completed beautiful, larger family style cabins to accommodate larger groups.

Circle Bar B is an exclusive resort destination, welcoming guests from all walks of life including Carey Grant and his daughter who stayed at the ranch in the 1970's.

The ranch borders the property that was owned by former President Ronald Reagan. His secret service learned how to horseback ride at the ranch since he enjoyed riding while relaxing at the Western White House. Horseback riding has always been part of CircleBarB and the cowboys will spin stories as you ride the trails of the "hanging tree" and mountain lion or brown bears sightings.

Make the CircleBarB Guest Ranch you next vacation destination and become part of its rich history.