Welcome to
The Yokut Room
We hope you enjoy your stay!
The Yokut Room pays homage to the Tachi Yokut (pronounced yo-cut) tribe who once called this valley home and named it, Cholame (pronounced show-lam), “the beautiful one”. This hand-crafted room offers the perfect cozy getaway.
The basics:
Wifi
Network: Parkfield Lodge Wifi
Password: V6Parkfield
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served in the Parkfield Lodge Gathering Room around 8am
check out time
Check out is at 12 noon
Amenities
Make yourself at home and enjoy the following amenities
OUTDOOR
POOL
HOT TUB
BBQ PIT
FIRE PIT
TREE HOUSE
GAZEBO
PING PONG TABLE
LARGE PORCH
EXPANSIVE SHADED GRASS AREA
THE PEACE AND QUIET OF A ONE BLOCK TOWN
INDOOR
GATHERING ROOM WITH COUCH SEATING
LIBRARY
FIREPLACE
KITCHENETTE WITH:
TOASTER OVEN
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER
MICROWAVE
HOT PLATE
COFFEE MAKER
Parkfield Cafe
BURGERS, STEAKS & MORE COOKED OVER AN OPEN OAK BBQ
Spring, Summer & Fall Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
Friday: 11:30am to 9:00pm
Saturday: 11:30am to 9:00pm
Sunday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
Winter Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11:30am to 7:00pm
Friday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
Saturday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
Sunday: 11:30am to 7:00pm
Please note that room service is not available.
Art & Materials in the Yokut room
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Yokut Medicine Man painting
This was painted by local artist and historian Donalee Thomason, whose family were among the first settlers in this valley. This painting is painted using natural pigments Donalee collected from the Cholame Valley and turned them into paint using the traditional methods the Yokut used.
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Headboard and shower woodwork
The headboard and woodwork in the bathroom were designed and constructed by Brinan Varian and is made from beams out of Leland Stanford’s Carriage House, circa 1800’s, and corral boards from the famous Cardiff Stud Farm in Creston, CA. The painting of the Native American village was painted by local artist Barbetta Parlet on natural rawhide.
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Murals
The cave painting murals were painted by local artist Steve Kalar. Similar cave paintings done by the Yokut Native Americans who used to live in this valley still exist in the Carrizo Plains.
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Stonework
The shower stonework was done by Parkfield local Ian Reeder-Thompson. The stonework in the bedroom is the backside of the fireplace in the lobby made by Jack Varian and is made from stone collected from the Cholame Valley.
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Black Bear
The mounted bear is a Black Bear, common to California. They have been seen throughout the Central Coast of California. This bear was hunted by Parkfield local Mickey Cartwright.
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Artefact logs
Excerpts from local artist and historian Donalee Thomason’s notebooks are displayed in this room. Donalee was instrumental in documenting the history of the Cholame Valley.
History
This valley was once home to a thriving community of Yokut Native Americans, of the Tachi tribe. They gave this valley the name Cholame (pronounced “show-LAM”) meaning “the beautiful one”. The Yokuts were made up of 40-50 tribes throughout central California, each with its own territory and dialect of the language. It is believed that there were as many as 70,000 Yokut in the 1770s, a number which had tragically fallen to just 600 by 1910.
The San Joaquin Valley provided the Yokut with array of wild plants and game allowing them to live in permanent homes made of tule mats, leaving only in the summer on trips to gather food and trade. The Yokut were expert artisans, making ornate baskets and painted rock art. Their simple clothing was made from bark and grass and adorned by jewelry and headbands made from seeds and feathers. They would trade with tribes from around the state, with what is believed to have been a major state-wide trading hub located where the Parkfield CAL FIRE station now stands.
The harmony of Yokut life, however did not remain undisturbed. From the mid 1700s many Yokut were pushed from their homes, killed or put into indentured servitude, first by Spanish missionaries and then by the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians in 1850. In 1862 the Homestead Act caused the loss of the Tachi’s land as the Cholame Valley was divided into 160 acre parcels and given to settlers to live and farm on. In the space of 50 years the Yokut population was reduced by a staggering 93%.
Today there are around 2600 Yokut remaining with a population of around 650 Tachi Yokuts on the Santa Rosa Rancheria reservation. Here they keep the Tachi legacy, culture and language alive.
We hope you enjoy your stay in the Yokut Room and are reminded of these first residents of the Cholame Valley.
local history
Oak Street, Parkfield 1912
About the brand
The Yokut Room is marked with the “Lazy BJ” brand. This brand was designed by Billy Brinan for his daughter Barbara Jean Brinan (Varian). Billy originally named the brand “the Umbrella Brand”, but the brand registry gave it its current humorous name of the “Lazy BJ”. In 1992 Barbara married Parkfield local John Varian and the brand came to symbolize Barb and John.
Cattle brands are the only way to show legal ownership over cattle in California. Similar to a family crest, cattle brands symbolize the family and are often passed down over several generations. Brands help tell the story of our community, so each room in the Parkfield Lodge is marked with a local brand.
FAQs
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A reservation at the Parkfield Lodge does not grant you access to the V6 Ranch.
The V6 Ranch is first and foremost a working cattle ranch so guest activities are all guided and available on a limited basis.
To gain access to the V6 Ranch join us for one of our Ranch Rides. See available rides here or inquire about a private trail ride (limited availability).
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The Parkfield Lodge is 2.5 miles from the V6 Ranch in the one block town of Parkfield, population 18.
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Parkfield is a place to kick off your boots and relax. Enjoy our pool and hot tub, sit around the fire pit, BBQ on our expansive grounds, go for a walk or cycle down our quiet country roads, read a book in front of the fireplace in the Gathering Room, or sit on the porch and just be.
There are over 200 species of birds living in our towering Valley Oaks and golden meadows creating a symphony of birdsong. Parkfield enjoys very limited light pollution so the star gazing from the hot tub is spectacular. The Parkfield Coalinga Grade climbs over 1000 feet in just a few miles, providing a spectacular perch to watch the sunset.
Join us on the V6 Ranch for one of our Ranch Rides. See available rides here or inquire about a private trail ride (limited availability).
Parkfield is a place to unplug and be present.
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Outdoor Adventure
Join us on the V6 Ranch for one of our Ranch Rides (see available rides here) or inquire about a private trail ride (limited availability).Neighboring ranches also offer the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Central Coast.
- Work Family Ranch - San Miguel, CA
- Lazy Arrow Adventures - Santa Margarita, CAExplore the Beautiful Central Coast
Parkfield provides a great base to explore the stunning Central Coast. Here are some of our favorite day trips:
- Paso Robles Wine Country
- San Miguel Mission
- Scenic Highway 1
- San Luis Obispo
- Hearst Castle
- Pinnacles National Park
- Pismo BeachHunting
Parkfield’s surrounding landscapes are home to thriving populations of Wild Hogs, Black Tailed Deer, Turkeys, Dove, Quail and more. Go hunting with one of the expert guides in the Parkfield Area.
- Miller Brothers Expeditions - Parkfield, CA
- Boaring Experiences - Parkfield, CA
- Camp Five Outfitters - San Miguel, CA -
The Parkfield Cafe is open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Spring, Summer & Fall Hours:
- Thursday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
- Friday: 11:30am to 9:00pm
- Saturday: 11:30am to 9:00pm
- Sunday: 11:30am to 8:00pmWinter Hours:
- Thursday: 11:30am to 7:00pm
- Friday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
- Saturday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
- Sunday: 11:30am to 7:00pmWe are open year round except for the following dates:
- The month of December
- New Years Day
- Easter Sunday
- The 4th of July -
Cancelation Policy:
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until ten (10) days prior to your date of arrival. If you cancel with less than ten (10) days notice, we will do our best to re-sell the room(s). If we are not able to re-sell the room(s), we will access a fee of one night plus tax (for the first night of your reservation).Pet Policy:
Well behaved pets are allowed for an additional fee of $30 per pet. Maximum of two pets. Pets must be well trained and controlled by their owner. Any damage to the room caused by your pet(s) will result in additional charges. There is an 80-pound weight limit per pet. By law, dogs may not be left unattended in rooms.No Party Policy:
To ensure the comfort of all guests as well as our neighbors, parties are not allowed at the Parkfield Lodge or on its grounds.Please understand that if other guests or neighbors are disturbed due to excessive noise, management reserves the right to ask everyone to vacate the premises and any refund of room rate will be forfeited at that time.
You may also incur a fee of $500.00 as a disturbance charge.
Additional Policies:
Rooms are double occupancy and subject to 10.5% hotel tax plus $1 tourism tax per night per room.Additional persons limited to specific rooms, are assessed a $25 per night fee. Kids under 18 are free.
Designated weekends require a minimum two-night stay for Friday and Saturday night.
explore other rooms
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The Cowboy Cabin
The Cowboy Cabin has a king size bedroom and a bedroom with two twin beds. This cabin has a large living room, breakfast nook, spacious bathroom, and a private porch with a table, chairs and two rocking chairs. It's very warm, inviting and perfect for a family.
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The Post Office
In 1907 this building was drug into place by a team of 14 horses and was used as the Parkfield Post Office for decades. Today is serves as a cozy getaway, with two bedrooms, a living area, a luxurious bathroom with a stone walk-in shower, and a front porch on Main Street Parkfield.
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The Yokut Room
The Yokut Room is a tribute to the Native American's who lived on the lands of the Cholame Valley. The Yokut Room has a king size bed and a stone walk in shower.
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Brinan Ranch Room
The Brinan Ranch Room is a tribute to the Brinan Family of San Ardo, CA, about an hour north of Parkfield. The Brinan Ranch Room has two queen size beds and a loft.
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Diablo Range Room
Dedicated to the landscape and animals that give us this unique area of California. The Diablo Range Room has a queen size bed and two twin beds in the loft area.
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The Water Tower
The Water Tower was built at the turn of the 20th Century. It was the main water supply for the bustling town of Parkfield. Now guests have the rare opportunity to stay in this beautiful building. This room boasts first-class amenities, a walk-in granite shower, and two stories with a queen bed and cable tv on each level.
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Sunset Stables Room
The Sunset Room is a tribute to Zee (Smith) Varian's family legacy who were at the heart of the equine world in Los Angeles, operating numerous riding stables and producing Wild West Shows and Rodeos around the area. Sunset Stable Room has two queen beds.
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The Tool Room
This charming and cozy room is decorated with vintage tools that were once used and collected here on the V6 Ranch. The king bed frame was made by Jack Varian using various parts of equipment and tools. The Tool Room has a king size bed.
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Varian Ranch Room
The Varian Ranch Room honors the cattle that make up our livelihood here on the V6. This room is spacious with tall ceilings, a loft, a queen bed and two twin beds.
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The Cholame Ranch Room
The Cholame Ranch Room honors the Cholame ranch that contains the only completed intact Mexican Land Grant from the early 1800's. Hardwood floors and beautiful log work give this room a warm feel. The Cholame Ranch Room has two queen size beds.
