Historic Vail Ranch · Temecula, California
Welcome to Vail Kids Ranch.
Meet the animals, wander the open air, and settle into a working ranch that has shaped this valley since 1867.
Walk-ins welcome — or sign your waiver online to skip the line.
About the ranch
A hands-on ranch experience, rooted in more than 150 years of Temecula history.
Vail Kids Ranch sits inside the historic Vail Headquarters, one of the oldest and most storied ranches in Southern California. We kept the character and added the day out — real animals, open ground to explore, and room for everyone to slow down.
First visit or your fiftieth, it is the kind of afternoon where no one is looking at a screen.
Read our story
Plan your day
Ways to explore.
A few ways to make the most of your day at the ranch.
Visit
Hours, admission, the waiver, and directions — everything you need before you come.
Attractions
Meet the animals, hop on the train, and find every hands-on thing to do.
Celebrate
Birthdays, reunions, and school parties under the open sky.
Ranch life has shaped this land for over 150 years.
In 1867, Arizona rancher Walter Vail began building what would grow into one of the largest ranches in California — 87,500 acres stretching from the mountains to the coast.
Generations later, Arteco Partners restored Vail Headquarters into a living destination of restaurants, shops, and community gatherings. Vail Kids Ranch is its newest chapter — and Walty, our baby goat greeter, is named in honor of the man who started it all.
The full story
The official greeter
Meet Walty.
The goat. The legend. Named after the man who built this land — and far more interested in apple slices than acreage.
- Favorite snack
- Apple slices
- Named after
- Walter Vail, 1867
- Job title
- Official ranch greeter
- Also accepts
- Carrots, mostly
Celebrate at the ranch
Gather somewhere worth remembering.
Birthdays, family reunions, and school celebrations under open-air pavilions, steps from the animals. You bring the cake — the ranch brings the setting.
Two open-air pavilions with picnic tables and ranch views. Tours available by appointment.
Field trips & groups
Bring the whole group out to the ranch.
A working ranch makes a memorable day for schools, homeschool co-ops, scout troops, and community organizations — hands-on with the animals and grounded in real Temecula history.
- Hours
- Daily, 12–5pmHours can vary — check ahead before you head out
- Admission
- $8 adults & kids · under 3 freeFeed baskets $5 at the gate
@vailhq
Lately at the ranch.
