Morale, Welfare and Recreation
(MWR)
(MWR)
Historical Hacienda: Hearst's Rancho Milpitas
The Hacienda, known as the Rancho Milpitas at the time, was constructed between 1929 and 1930 to replace the old ranch which had burned to the ground. Hearst's Milpitas Ranch House (also called the Jolon Ranch House) served as a working ranch and headquarters in the northern region of his 250,000-acre estate. The need for a ranch headquarters in the north was due to the geographical isolation from the main ranch (Rancho Piedra Blanca to the south) by the Santa Lucia Mountains. From the late 1920's to 1940, the ranch employed forty men year round (thirty extra during summer harvests) to take care of farmlands and livestock which included 7,000 head of cattle and several thousand hogs. Permanent residents of the Milpitas Hacienda included the ranch manager, Harry Taylor, and ranch foreman, William Harrison, who supervised the fencing, the tractor crews, and the harvest of wheat, barley, oats, and alfalfa. Other residents included cooks, gardeners, and cowboys. The ranch was originally planned to house 20 employees, but was expanded to house 30. The notion that the ranch was used as a hunting lodge is untrue. Hearst never allowed hunting on his property.
Although the original blueprint incorporated an extensive wing that would include Hearst's private residence, the wing was never constructed. Hearst himself did not occupy the Hacienda with any regular frequency. He used it only on a few occasions, and even then they only used the dining room. He never stayed overnight in the wing reserved for himself and his guests.
Services
- Club Hacienda- The Historical Hacienda was built with entertainment in mind, so come enjoy a night at Club Hacienda! Come watch the game, sing some karaoke, or just grab a drink after-hours.
- Conference Center- The Hacienda offers a meeting place that holds up to 100 people. Our Conference Center is perfect for birthday parties, intimate weddings, meetings, retreats, parties, and family reunions.
ROOMS AT Historical Hacienda: Hearst's Rancho Milpitas: Hearst's Rancho Milpitas
Choose from any one of our comfortable rooms…
- Cowboy Rooms- $55/night
4 rooms with full-size beds. 1 room with twin beds. Shared bathroom and shower. - Garden Rooms- $75/night
- Queen size bed and private bathroom.
- Tower Rooms- $90/night
Queen size bed and full size sofa bed with private bathroom. - Mini Suite- $95/night
Queen size bed and full size sofa bed with private bathroom. - Commander's Suite- $150/night
2 bedrooms with 1 queen size bed, 1 king size bed, full kitchen, full bathroom, and living room with working fireplace.
For questions or to book a room, please call 831.386.2900 or email the Hacienda.