Country Real Estate, Country Homes & Ranches, Property Listing # OAI-360in Lockwood, CA

This 360-acre parcel rises above Lake San Antonio to reveal unobstructed vistas of the lake and Lockwood Valley’s vineyards beyond. This property is located in the new San Antonio Valley A.V.A. (American Viticultural Area). Panoramic views from numerous building sites take in the Santa Lucia Mountains and the unmistakable profile of Terra Redonda. Sportsmen will enjoy the proximity to Fort Hunter Liggett’s designated hunting zone adjacent to the property. Hiking and riding trails ramble for miles past mature moss-covered oaks, manzanitas and madrones. The property includes a viable well and power is available from Seller’s adjacent parcel.

The Lakes

Lake San Antonio is visible from the property. The North Shore entrance is a mere 10-minute drive away. This is a 19-mile-long, man-made lake that came into existence in the 1960s. The Park Service offers a range of year-round activities and amenities including the Los Robles Equestrian Trail; 12 hiking and biking trails covering 26 miles; marinas; 500 campsites; rental cabins; shoreline camping (one of the state’s few such opportunities), and more. This lake has been discovered by fishermen and sporting enthusiasts alike. Their catch might include striped bass, catfish, and blue gill. Additionally, there are fishing tournaments throughout the year. The record is a 91-pound largemouth bass! There are convenience stores, restaurants, and a gas station at the lake entrance.

Each winter birders come from far and wide to witness the nesting bald eagles. There are guided Eagle Watch Tours hosted by local rangers for those wishing to view these birds in flight. This lake is one of the largest eagle winter habitats in Central California with over 40 Golden and Bald eagles in residence. Kayakers can float quietly into protected areas to view a variety of birds.

In summertime, the focus is on recreation from the lakefront campsites. Water-skiers and jet-skiers, houseboaters and kayakers all enjoy the endless summer sun. There’s a protected beach roped off from boaters for swimmers. Other visitors view the museum’s interesting exhibits, run the foot trail, take in summer Friday and Saturday movies, or attend Sunday morning church service. In early May each year, some 30,000 people arrive at Lake San Antonio for the annual Wildflower Triathlon. This is one of the world’s top triathlons with many world-class athletes from a number of nations competing. Locals join in for other smaller races or simply participate in the post-race music and entertainment. Some serve as race volunteers caught up in the excitement. In fact, the bike race zooms past up at the main road.

Lake Nacimiento (a 25-minute drive away) offers many of the same activities with a completely different venue. Unlike the vast openness of Lake San Antonio, Nacimiento is sculpted with 165 miles of bays and inlets, creeks and rocky outcroppings – ideal for fishing. Boaters can even motor up into the Nacimiento River itself.

The Next Napa Valley

Lockwood is part of San Antonio Valley, which has been named a distinct “AVA -- American Viticultural Area” (California’s 9th and newest) and is one of the country’s oldest grape-growing and wine-making regions. Local grape growers and wine makers are spearheading an endeavor to establish the quality and visibility of this region. The Lockwood Valley Vintners and Growers Assn. is an organization of like-minded people. Their website details recent award-winning wines from the valley including Escafeld Vineyards 2004 Petit Verdot that won “Double Gold, Best of Class” at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – the world’s largest competition of American wines with 55 judges evaluating 3,800 wines. A “Double Gold” classification is awarded only with a unanimous decision of the judges.

This valley is home to generations-old families plus recent neighbors with an interest in food and wine. Many consider it the next Napa Valley. Currently, there are over 800 acres of vineyards with 20 varietals. Historic Jolon Road, nearby, is now part of Monterey County’s designated Wine Corridor. Local producers include Escafeld, Chalk Ridge, Newell, Chateau Julien, Marin, Ronan, and Pierce Ranch Vineyards.

Ft. Hunter Liggett – A 15-Minute Drive Away

William Randolph Hearst, the media magnate who built Hearst Castle in San Simeon, introduced this area to many movie stars who stayed in Hearst’s homestead at what is now Ft. Hunter Liggett’s Hacienda. The Hacienda, designed by Julia Morgan the same architect who designed Hearst Castle, is in keeping with early California architecture. Housed within The Hacienda are two murals depicting early mission-era history.

At one time, Hearst owned 20 miles out in all directions from his castle at San Simeon. This property extended almost to the Lockwood/San Antonio Valley. Then, Hearst reached an agreement with the US government to transfer something like 165,000 acres of his holdings to the military to develop Ft. Hunter Liggett as a training ground for WWII. Over the years, this facility has served as a great neighbor.

In recent years there have been few troops stationed here. Today the focus seems to be on training sessions for short periods of time. But it is due to the fact that this huge tract of land, directly adjacent to the Big Sur protected area, remains undeveloped that our air quality enjoys such a high rating affording us true sky-blue days and amazingly starry nights.

Today, local people frequent Hunter Liggett to enjoy steak dinners at The Hacienda, play racquetball at the Rec Center, swim in the huge outdoor pool, watch movies on Friday and Saturday nights, bowl a few lines at the bowling alley, attend church services, or host out-of-town guests in the lodge. Hunters and fishermen can avail themselves of the vast tracts of Hunter Liggett’s hunting lands set aside for just these purposes. Permitted game includes wild pigs, deer, and birds. And those wishing a drive to the coast could simply take the Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. (voted one of America’s most scenic highways) through Hunter Liggett to the beaches of Big Sur. Included in local activities once there are gazing down at the sea lion colonies, catching a glimpse of the California condors roosting in the trees, or heading up to Carmel and Monterey for fine dining and golf.

Mission San Antonio de Padua is found on what is now Ft. Hunter Liggett. It is the last remaining California mission in its original setting. Built in 1771, it features a peaceful rose garden and a superb museum with local artifacts, photos, and memorabilia from more than a century ago. Church services are held here weekly as well as the annual “Fiesta” that draws thousands of visitors. St. Luke’s church is located at the entrance to the army base in what was once Jolon (mentioned in some of Steinbeck’s writings).

Lockwood

The tiny Lockwood crossroads are nearby, only 5 to 10 minutes away. This is a growing community with an elementary school and a community center that hosts lectures, bar-b-q’s, fundraisers, and so on. Local children actively participate in 4-H, guided by the community at large, in an endeavor to keep the agricultural traditions and economic base of this land alive. There are strong family values among the people, many who have been cattle ranchers in Lockwood since California land grant times.

There is also the Lockwood Valley Historical Association that hosts visits to old adobes, homesteads, historical buildings, etc. under the watchful guise of local historians. A book about this area has just been published and it captures our history quite well.

Efforts have been under way for some time to create a Nacitone Regional Interpretive Museum in Lockwood Valley. This valley was settled by German immigrants who came here to scrape out a living. Many of their descendents still call Lockwood home. A multi-generation Lockwood resident has worked tirelessly to bring this museum to fruition so our history is recorded for all who follow.

Paso Robles

Paso Robles (a 30-minute drive from Vineyard View) is growing at a rapid pace as both a celebrated wine region as well as an escape from the big city problems. The town boasts many fine dining options; a cineplex; free Friday-night concerts in the park throughout summer; the annual Pioneer Day Parade and free chili feed (a tradition left over from The Depression); Custom Car Cruise Night and Sock Hop; the annual Wine Festival with more than 100 wineries participating; and the annual Mid-State Fair with equestrian competitions, rodeo, livestock auction, plus headliner performers like Reba McIntire and Keith Urban. Several fine golf courses offer challenging golf and tournaments. Amtrak and a private / charter airport provide Paso Robles with connections to LA, the Bay Area and beyond. There is a newly-expanded hospital in Templeton (just south of Paso Robles) and a Mee Memorial medical facility soon to open in downtown Paso. So even though you’ll be living in the country, you won’t be forsaking the amenities of a full-service town, just know that many of those services and entertainment options are only a short drive away.