Horses are a Way of Life for residents in Parkfield.
They are used for work and entertainment.

Parkfield, with a population of about 900 and 1,530 elevation, is located in Monterey County in Central California. This coastal mountain range is surrounded by rolling hills covered with oaks and prominent mountains. One of the smallest horsetowns in Central California, Parkfield is located about an equal distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco, just a four hour drive from either city. The first to discover this special place were the Yokut Indians. They came to hunt and gather acorns, and named the valley in which Parkfield rests "Cholame," which means "the beautiful one." The first white settlers arrived in the area in 1854 and were followed by a steady stream of homesteaders. By the turn of the century, quicksilver and coal had been discovered, and the hope for oil discovery hand transformed Parkfield into a robust town of 900 people. However, Parkfield's prosperity was short lived as the mines played out and water flooded the coal mine. The homesteaders were the last to go, unable to yield a living off of the land. Today, only a handful of ranchers and farmers remain to enjoy a beautiful tranquil valley with four
seasons and bountiful wildlife.

Parkfield has risen in popularity again, only this time because of its seismic activity. The United States Geological Survey has been keeping a watchful eye on Parkfield since the last big earthquake in 1966, in hopes of using data gathered in the area to predict earthquakes. Parkfield has traditionally had a fairly large earthquake (approx.. 6.0 Richter scale) every 22 years. Scientists saw this pattern and flocked to the area in hopes of gathering data from an earthquake of this magnitude. Since no one knows when and where an earthquake will occur, Parkfield gave the scientists at least a little bit of a head start. Parkfield now has the largest array of earthquake monitoring equipment in the world. Don't let the earthquakes scare you away from visiting this beautiful town, not a single person has ever been injured from a Parkfield quake.

The V6 Ranch envelops 20,000 acres  (hosting 4 cattle drives a year, see below; also organized trail rides). This scenic ranch is located in the most diverse and alluring country in the heart of central California and offers the delight of bygone days in a world where fast is the average speed. This beautiful ranch offers activities to tickle the fancy of any person that seeks peace and quiet or just wants to get away from the street lights and asphalt. The ranch offers hiking, horseback riding by appointment, photography, view over 200 varieties of wildflowers, wildlife, and bird watching. Pine Canyon Lake is the largest on the ranch and is a wonderful place to fish, swim, sunbathe, or row our boat out to the double decker floating dock. The ranch also offers trail rides, cattle drives, and horse camping.

CATTLE DRIVES:  
The V6 Ranch Cattle drives are open to the public and you can bring your own horse or lease a horse from the ranch. The drives last for three days, and guests are expected to help gather and move cattle to different areas of the ranch for seasonal feeding. You are rewarded with ranch-style food for breakfast, lunch and dinner while you camp under the stars, or bunk in a nearby Parkfield Inn. See website link above

 
Blue Grass for Mother's Day Weekend

15th Annual Rodeo, held every Memorial Week-end

The rodeo attracts competitors from around the state,held at the Parkfield Rodeo Arena features a variety of classes and prizes.--bronc riding, steer riding, breakaway roping,
team penning, cowboy mugging, and sort-and-rope. Great prizesand great fun for everyone.


Ask us for a Referral to a
Horse Property Specialist in Parkfield