Bonnie B Ranch Resort
Vacation Rental

If movie-making, as the old adage goes, is all about suspending reality, there's little wonder why movie producers like Steven Spielberg so often circle the barn at California's Bonnie B Ranch Resort.

As the natural setting for Spielberg's Mouse Hunt and countless other flicks, Bonnie B Ranch has truly carved out a unique niche in the Sierra foothills. Its 440 acres of undulating beauty lay at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains in a Sierra National Forest populated by cedars, pines, and oaks.

During the fall, the forest complements the mountains' breathtaking sunsets with its own blend of burnt oranges and rustic reds. A magic carpet is laid come spring as the lupin stand tall amidst a rainbow of wild flora. And in between, the seasons are contrasted by virgin snows and lush meadows. Five small lakes reflect the property's pastoral peace, and an old covered bridge and gristmill combine with long stretches of finely crafted stonework and winding split-rail cedar fences to link a time-honored past.

The Ranch: Built in 1891, this one-time cattle ranch ultimately evolved into a dude ranch before Kerry Bryant and family converted it into a "guest ranch." In its current incarnation, the "Bonnie B" offers you the best of both worlds -- the recreational amenities of a dude ranch coupled with the privacy of a vacation rental.

Best of all, though, you don't have to sell the farm to rent the ranch. A group of only six people can for one week escape to the suspended reality of the Bonnie B Ranch for just $55 per person per day. Except for meals, that includes the whole kit and caboodle -- your lodging, horseback riding, some action-packed fishing, and all of the myriad other things you can do on 440 acres of natural habitat.

In other words, when you book the Bonnie B, you become more than a mere guest. For that one week, the ranch is all yours. There will be someone around be of assistance and to help with the horses. But other than that, you'll be pretty much on your own. Which is kind of nice for those who value their privacy.

As for those who don't mind being pampered just a little, there's a personal chef on retainer who can satisfy your palate night and day at a most reasonable rate. Or, if you'd rather, there are some excellent restaurants in nearby North Fork, Bass Lake, and Oakhurst. In fact, Bass Lake is known for its lakeside eateries, and Oakhurst is home to Erna's Elderberry House, California's renowned five-star dining establishment.

The Accommodations: Most guests, though, choose to stay put, and to that end, Bonnie B's 4,300-square-foot main house includes a fully equipped country kitchen and a wrap-around deck complete with barbecue grill. The barn-style main house also has three bedrooms, three baths, and a spacious living area that features an unusual three-way stone fireplace, a towering wood-beamed ceiling, and giant picture widows that provide incredible vistas of the property's largest lake and the Sierra Nevada Mountains that lie beyond. Other lodging amenities include cable television, a VCR, a fax machine, and heating and air conditioning.

Fishing & Trails: Sixteen miles of scenic trails mark the way for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, and the property's lakes are not only great for catching trophy-sized bass, bluegill, and crappie, but also provide alcoves for swimming. The acreage is teeming with all sorts of wildlife, and bird-watchers will think they've found paradise. Yosemite National Park boasts an even larger menagerie, and it beckons from only 35 miles away. There you will also find one of three local golf courses, where grazing deer will leisurely critique your swing, which is why you'll want to pack a camera in your golf bag.

Winter Activities: Naturalists will also be impressed with the region's High Sierra lakes of Shaver and Huntington. Huntington Lake, in particular, is known for its various islands and its ideal sailing conditions. And when the weather turns cold, you can look forward to testing the slippery slopes of the Sierra Nevada. There you'll not only find trails for cross-country and Alpine skiing, but also a nice ice skating rink. In fact, you can also go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or hitch a sleigh ride if you'd like.

If you truly want to see it all, though, you'll probably need to take a tour. The Logger, an authentic steam train, offers one option and also throws in some lively musical entertainment and mouth-watering barbecue. Or, you can opt for a guided bus tour that navigates the Sierra Vista Scenic By-Way from Bass Lake and Oakhurst all the way into Yosemite. Either way, you'll see the kind of scenery that inspires movies; and when the day's done, you'll even get to spend the night on your very own movie set.