Welcome to our home

The V6 Ranch is a family-owned and operated working cattle ranch offering authentic horseback riding, lodging, and BBQ in the heart of California’s Central Coast.

Founded in 1961 by Jack and Zee Varian, the ranch is now stewarded by four generations of our family. It spans more than 20,000 acres, with 17,000 acres permanently protected, ensuring wide-open landscapes that will never be subdivided.

In the late ‘80s, we opened the Parkfield Cafe and Lodge to share our beautiful valley with more folks. Since then, we’ve welcomed thousands of guests to experience the joy, connection, and peace of the Cowboy Side of California.

Whether you’re here for a ride, a meal, or a moment of peace, welcome to Parkfield.

Meet our Family

Lead by a conservationist and a legendary horsewoman

It all started with Jack and Zee Varian. Jack, a pioneering conservationist, and Zee, a trailblazing horsewoman who grew up at LA’s legendary Sunset Stables. Together, they built a legacy of protected land, exceptional horses, tight-knit family, and warm hospitality.

Today, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren carry that legacy forward. Whether it’s running cattle, cooking in the café, or welcoming guests on the trail, we’re lucky to live and work side by side on the land we love. 

This isn’t just a business, it’s our way of life, and we’re excited to share it with you. 

the crew

  • Jack Varian

    FIRST GENERATION ON THE V6

    A true cowboy with a vision. Jack was an early follower of Holistic Management and for his efforts he was a Leopold Conservation Award finalist and the California Rangeland Trust Conservationist of the Year in 2016. Jack continues to work and dream every day.

  • Zee Varian

    FIRST GENERATION ON THE V6

    Zee is a lifelong horsewoman. She spent over 40 years raising, training, and showing reined cow horses, winning prestigious awards including the 1979 NRCHA Non-Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity, Cow Palace, Salinas Rodeo, and many others. Today several of our guest horses descend from her great show horses. 

  • John Varian

    SECOND GENERATION ON THE V6

    John Varian was born into cowboy life, his mom Zee was shipping cattle the day he was born. A rodeo competitor, coach, and the builder behind Parkfield’s Cafe, Lodge, and Blue Oak Camp, he’s spent over 30 years welcoming guests to the V6 Ranch. John really loves his job.

  • Barb Varian

    MARRIED INTO THE MADNESS

    Barb grew up ranching in San Ardo and joined the V6 in 1992 after marrying John. She runs the show down in Parkfield, from the gift shop to the Lodge, and somehow still finds time to ride and backpack 70 miles for fun. For most V6 Rides Barb is either riding along, cooking meals, or keeping John in line.

  • Quentin Hall

    WRANGLER

    Quentin has been wrangling on the V6 Ranch for over a decade and is basically a member of the family. A skilled horse trainer and lifelong rodeo competitor, his horses have placed in top rope horse futurities and carried riders in the NFR grand entry. He’s also the go-to guy for helping guests rope, ride, and have a blast.

  • Kathryn Varian

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Kathryn is a professional barrel racer, all around cowgirl, and the friendly face on the other end of all V6 Ranch emails. Kathryn keeps busy ranching and rodeoing around the country while also wrangling, cooking, and managing the booking here on the V6.

  • Lauren Varian

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Raised on the V6 Ranch, Lauren studied and worked in Ireland before returning to the ranch to help with marketing, cooking, and wrangling. Lauren and her husband Cian run Middle Ridge Recording Studio on the ranch.

  • Annie Brinan Purinton

    WRANGLER

    Annie grew up rodeoing and ranching in San Ardo and now wrangles alongside her sister Barb and brother-in-law John at the V6. A former California High School Rodeo Queen and barrel racer, she’ll know your name, your story, and your favorite horse within minutes.

  • Lilly Massey

    SECOND GENERATION ON THE V6

    An all-around cowgirl, Lil does it all. Her and her husband Mike run Massey Livestock, running cattle all over the western United States. Lil is your first call if you need to doctor an animal and she’s the ultimate rodeo mom. Lilly leads the V6 Cattle Drives.

  • Sage Massey

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Sage carries on Zee’s horsemanship tradition as a respected colt starter, horse trainer, and is one of the head honchos behind the legendary Parkfield Ranch Rodeo. Sage often helps lead V6 Cattle Drives.

  • Sammy Massey

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Sammy is an accomplished horse trainer and rodeo athlete. She recently graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During her college rodeo career she was a two time breakaway roping champion at the prestigious Poly Royal Rodeo. Sammy often helps on the V6 Cattle Drives.

  • Greg Varian

    SECOND GENERATION ON THE V6

    Greg fights wildfires during fire season and helps keep the ranch running the rest of the year. From cowboy work to road repairs, he’s our go-to guy for all things tough and technical. Greg often rides along on our V6 Cattle Drives.

  • Cade Varian

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    The wild man of the family. Cade recently achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a helicopter pilot. Cade often rides along on V6 Cattle Drives. Be sure to ask him to do his “egg in the fire” trick around the campfire.

  • Katy Varian

    SECOND GENERATION ON THE V6

    As cowgirl as they come, Katy is a professional barrel racer, horse trainer and all around cowgirl. Katy founded the Parkfield Rodeo and manages the Varian Parkfield Hunt Club.

  • Mike Massey

    MARRIED INTO THE MADNESS

    Honored as the SLO County Cattlemen’s Association 2023 Cattleman of the Year, Mike Massey has been a steadfast figure in local ranching. Together with his wife Lil, he runs cattle throughout the western United States.

  • Brinan Varian

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Brinan lives and breathes cowboying. Brinan helps run the cattle here on the V6, along with helping plan and manage ranch infrastructure. He and his wife Jessy have another 4th generation V6 cowboy on the way.

  • Kayla Santos

    THIRD GENERATION ONF THE V6

    Kayla is the behind-the-scenes woman at the legendary Parkfield Ranch Rodeo and Massey Livestock. She’s also the amazing momma to Hank and Jack, the fourth generation on the V6 Ranch.

  • Trisha Varian

    MARRIED INTO THE MADNESS

    Trisha is the family’s dog training expert. For over 30 years, she’s raised and trained top-quality Labradors, German Shepherds, and more at Varian Kennels.

  • Zach Varian

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Zach is a professional team roper, welder, and heavy equipment operator, often helping his dad Greg fighting wildfires. We’re hoping to steal Zach back from Texas soon.

  • Rhett Varian

    THIRD GENERATION ON THE V6

    Rhett is a true mountain man. He spends most of his time hunting and has guided hunts in Alaska, Montana, and here on the V6. These days he lives in Montana living the mountain man dream.

V6 Ranch California Central Coast Dude Ranch Guest Ranch Cattle Drives Cowboy School Conservation

A word from owner Jack Varian

The V6 Ranch got its start in the month of November 1961 after my wife and I sold a fixer upper ranch that gave us enough capital to expand. A friend recommended an 8,000 acre ranch that was “for sale” in southern Monterey County, California. He knew the area well, and said “Jack l think this is a good ranch that you'll be missing out if don’t buy it.” Well it took Zee and I just one look and I told the realtor we would take it. Now almost 60 years later I know more everyday that we made the right decision. 

So with a fair amount of sweat and passion, today the V6 Ranch is 20,000 acres of the best cattle ranching and hunting country in central California. All livestock and wildlife need three things to prosper; food, water and cover. So, I have spent most of my life making sure that they are available. 

  1. My goal when it comes to providing something to eat for all the critters that live here, is to take half the grass that Mother Nature provides annually and leave one half so that bare ground is virtually absent. 

  2. Water: you can’t have too much of it. We work hard to develop our springs and distribute the water to numerous watering troughs that are designed so that all life can get a drink. Next, we have many stock ponds that provide a drink for a thirsty critter and several are good fishing holes. 

  3. Cover, means a safe place to rest and sleep. The ranch has a wonderful mix of open range, Blue Oak woodlands and many acres of Chaparral brush land that provides cover to all life. 

The V6 is secured in perpetuity by a conservation easement that protects it from ever being sub-divided. This creates a unique environment where we practice Holistic Management, a method that asks us to question the decisions we make and make sure they are good for every living thing from soil to sky. 

See ya,
Jack

Learn more about Jack’s adventures in ranching on his blog here.

Become a part of the story

When you visit the V6, you’re not just along for the ride, you’re helping keep the land, the lifestyle, and the legacy alive. Whether you come for a weekend or a while, we’re glad to have you as part of the story.

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