HISTORIC RANCHO PARRALITO

FOUNDING IN 1855

Rancho Parralito was founded in 1855 under a federal land grant known as a "Sitio de Ganado Mayor" (Major Livestock Area) by the Mexican government to families within the Municipality of San Jose del Cabo in order to establish the colonization of rustic land for farming and ranching operations. The original land grant deeded to Vincente Ceseña was named Los Alamitos and included 1,755 Hectares (aprox. 4,388 acres) which was later divided into smaller parcels owned by 5 different families from the Ceseña clan. Over time, through both inheritance and private agreements between family members, Rancho Parralito owned by the Tamayo-Ceseña family came to comprise 352 Hectares (aprox. 870 acres).

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THE HISTORIC RANCH SITE

Rancho Parralito was blessed with ideal fertile terrain for both ranching and farming and had a bountiful supply of fresh water from 2 wells that are still in use today for drinking and irrigation. The original ranch house, corrals, and many of the out-buildings at Rancho Parralito are well preserved and still standing, along with the Tamayo-Ceseña family cemetery, located on a small knoll just above the current ranch site. A staircase of 50 steps carved out into the rock over 150 years ago, are still used to climb from the arroyo up the hill to the original homesite. An outlook from the cemetery on the knoll above the old homestead, provides a dramatic panorama of the ranch below where 5 generations of ranchers strived and thrived for over 162 years, leaving an indelible Baja legacy.

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PRESERVATION & CONSERVATION

In 2006, after visiting the ranch, becoming friends with the owners, and falling under the spell of unique ambiance and tranquility, Wendy Rudell and Charles Free purchased the ranch from the original owners and poured their efforts into restoring the buildings, preserving original equipment, and bringing it back to life as a guest ranch and working vineyard. After years of devoted effort, their vision has transformed Rancho Parralito into an enchanted place, with all the feeling of its former glory, and more. The ranch now houses several guest charming quarters, an original open Baja Kitchen, inside & outside dining areas, elegant rustic living rooms & salons adorned with unique Baja ranch art, and everywhere decorated with original ranch antiques, original bowls, vases & utensils, all a living tribute to Rancho Parralitos rich cultural history and traditions.