The Pillsbury Ranch
The 50 acre Pillsbury Ranch in Lakeside, San Diego is home to Embery Pillsbury Enterprises as well as Joan, Duane, their pet Doberman Cowboy, the many exotic animal ambassadors of the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation and many horses and other livestock. This hundred year old property includes several historic buildings and was a thriving farm back when the neighboring San Diego River still flowed.
Upon entering through the big wooden gate off Willow Road you'll pass a bubbling barrel fountain and find yourself in a tree-lined, Western-themed event area. You'll hear exotic birds cooing in the aviary and see horses placidly frisking their tales from the nearby paddocks. Explore Joan's African area featuring her famous "Africa" Landrover, an expedition tent (which works great as an outdoor bar) and animal sculptures. You may even see an African guineafowl pecking in the grass, a peacock sitting in a Willow or Zipper the Zebra waiting for you at the Zebra Bar.
Located just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, the Pillsbury Ranch offers a rural escape from the city's hustle and bustle that is great for special event rentals. Your guests will enjoy the sights and sounds of a working ranch ... and they may have the chance to meet a lemur!
Upon entering through the big wooden gate off Willow Road you'll pass a bubbling barrel fountain and find yourself in a tree-lined, Western-themed event area. You'll hear exotic birds cooing in the aviary and see horses placidly frisking their tales from the nearby paddocks. Explore Joan's African area featuring her famous "Africa" Landrover, an expedition tent (which works great as an outdoor bar) and animal sculptures. You may even see an African guineafowl pecking in the grass, a peacock sitting in a Willow or Zipper the Zebra waiting for you at the Zebra Bar.
Located just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, the Pillsbury Ranch offers a rural escape from the city's hustle and bustle that is great for special event rentals. Your guests will enjoy the sights and sounds of a working ranch ... and they may have the chance to meet a lemur!
Events
Pillsbury Ranch can accommodate a wide range of events and number of guests. Group activities usually include animal viewing and special animal interactions can be arranged depending upon the details of your event. Joan, her staff and her volunteers will work with you to ensure a safe, fun, memorable day. The Pillsbury Ranch is a popular choice for corporate events, weddings, company picnics and other large get togethers. The Ranch is great for creating a magical evening too. As the sun sets, the event area can be beautifully lit with sparkling string lights that add a romantic tone to any gathering.
Ranch Equestrian and Livestock Awards
Aristocrat the Westphalian warmblood showing at Dressage at the Club, Rancho Santa Fe, California was 17.3 hands tall and very eloquent.
Duane enjoys showing our favorite Percheron gelding "Rex" in the gentlemen's cart class at Del Mar. He was one of our top show horses winning many championships.
ET Oak was in the National Cutting Horse Association Top Ten horses in the nation for the 3,000 novice division and the 5,000 novice division in 1996. He was Reserve Champion in the $5,000 novice and in the Top Five for the $3,000 novice division for the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association.
Mel and Rex were the perfect pair, big, stylish, consistent, and lots of action. They were a dream to drive.
Joan and Mel were the team to beat at the draft horse shows. he was a consistent winner and cart and pair classes.
Belles Peppy Boy competing at the Superstakes cutting in Ft. Worth, Texas always showed best on tough cattle. I won reserve champion on him in the amateur division for 5/6 year olds at the Superstakes in 1995.
Belles Peppy Boy and I were circuit champions at the Surf and Sun cutting in San Juan Capistrano in 1994. We also won amateur of the year for the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association in 1995.
As a child Joan's dream was to own a horse, so you imagine her excitement when she was able to put a six-horse Percheron hitch together and compete at local fairs. When you're on the seat eight feet in the air you can feel the power of 12,000 pounds of horses pulling. The ground actually shakes under the wagon. The exhilaration is worth the hours of preparation.
Tios Fancy Bikini was my second cutting horse and gave me a lot of confidence. She was honest and always tried her best. I won Ladies championships in 1991 and 1992 on Tio. She retired here at the ranch and will have her second foal this year.
Bruiser is our beloved champion Brahma Bull. He is an awesome and massive animal that looks intimidating but actually is lovable with a sweet disposition. He demands attention from all who visit the ranch and begs for carrots from anyone who will oblige. He was bred by John and Elaine Wells, Atwood Ranch, Red Bluff, California - fixtures in the Brahman cattle industry. Bruisers won the award for Champion Bull at the California State Fair (1990 & 1991), the Stanislaus Fair (1990), the Fresno Fair (1991 & 1990) and the Los Angeles County Fair (1990 & 1991).