Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch [Suggest Edits]

Description

Relive old California ranch life at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch by exploring the ranch's restored buildings, both inside and outside. Barns, ranch house, etc are open to wander through. They are furnished, outfitted, stocked, etc as they were years ago. Stroll around the yards as ranchers did years ago. Take a short walk down to Santa Teresa Spring, the year round water supply for the ranch. And when done, hike the trails of Santa Teresa County Park imagining the ranch's cattle grazing here in the grass covered Santa Teresa Hills as they did years ago. Many interesting surprises await, far more than can be listed/described here....

Several interesting historical plaques describe what is here, its history, daily life on an old California family ranch, and related topics. They go into much more detail than what is provided here.

Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch was a working family ranch for almost two centuries, until rather recently. In 1826 Jose Joaquin Bernal and his family moved to this area establishing Rancho Santa Teresa on 9,647 acres. This Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch is part of what was Rancho Santa Teresa. The Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch farmhouse was built by Jose Joaquin Bernal's granddaughter's family, Rufina Bernal and husband Carlos Gulnac, around 1860. Her family and descendents worked this family ranch until 1980 when some of the last ranch lands became part of Santa Teresa County Park.

Half-Day Hike: From the central picnic area - Pueblo Day Use Area, of Santa Teresa County Park, it is a hike that takes a few hours to get to Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Several hiking routes can be used. Additionally, one can park at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch entrance to Santa Teresa County Park and visit this historic ranch without hiking.

Family Friendly: Cool, old, restored ranch buildings that one can go into. Old ranch tools, machinery, wagons, and parts. Some animals. Many interesting educationals plaques that describe everything.

Gem Type: Historic Site