Frequently Asked Questions
The Parkfield Lodge
What is the Parkfield Lodge?
The Parkfield Lodge is a ten-room historic lodge in Parkfield, California, a one-block town of 18 people on the Central Coast. Our family built the Lodge in 1991, and we still run it, along with the Parkfield Cafe across the street.
What makes the rooms unique?
Every room tells a piece of Parkfield's story. You can sleep in the town's reimagined 1920s water tower or its former post office, which was moved by a team of horses in the early 1900s. There's also the Cowboy Cabin, filled with 1950s cowboy art and vintage furnishings. The rest of our rooms are named for the people, ranches, and history of the Cholame Valley.
Is the Parkfield Lodge good for families?
Yes! Eight of our ten rooms sleep four, with either two queens or a king or queen plus two twins, and they range from 385 to 590 square feet.
The Parkfield Lodge sits on a quiet country road with very little traffic. For the kids, we have a large shaded lawn to run on, a pool and hot tub, and a fire pit perfect for roasting marshmallows. For parents, we have wide porches, a comfortable Gathering Room with a stone fireplace, and dinner across the street.
Which rooms sleep four?
The Cowboy Cabin: 1 King and 2 twins | ~590 sq ft
Post Office Room: 1 King and 2 twins | ~445 sq ft
Diablo Range Room: 1 Queen and 2 twins | ~425 sq ft
Varian Ranch Room: 1 Queen and 2 twins | ~420 sq ft
Water Tower Room: 2 Queens | ~390 sq ft
Cholame Ranch Room: 2 Queens | ~435 sq ft
Brinan Ranch Room: 2 Queens | ~425 sq ft
Sunset Stables Room: 2 Queens | ~390 sq ft
Is the Lodge good for a romantic getaway?
Absolutely! It's built for one. Slow mornings drinking coffee on the porch, afternoons in the hot tub, and evenings by the stone fireplace in the Gathering Room. With 18 people in town, you’ll have the peace and privacy to enjoy true quality time together.
What amenities does the Lodge have?
A pool (open year-round but unheated, so it's best from late spring through early fall), a hot tub, a fire pit, a large shaded lawn, wide porches, and a Gathering Room with a stone fireplace. Guests also have a shared kitchenette with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and coffee maker, plus a BBQ.
What's in the rooms?
Every room has heating and air conditioning, wifi, cable TV, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker. You'll also find toiletries including our juniper soap, made by Juniper Ridge from wild juniper harvested on the V6 Ranch.
Is breakfast included?
Yes. A continental breakfast with a fresh-baked pastry and fruit is set out in the Gathering Room each morning around 8:00am.
Is there wifi and cell service?
Every room has wifi. Cell service is limited: Verizon is the only carrier that works in Parkfield, so if you're on another carrier, plan to use wifi calling. Most guests love the chance to unplug!
Are pets allowed?
Yes, well-behaved pets are welcome for an additional $30 per pet, with a maximum of two pets and an 80-pound weight limit per pet. Pets must be well trained and under their owner's control, and any damage caused by a pet will result in additional charges. By law, dogs may not be left unattended in rooms.
Are parties allowed?
No. To keep things comfortable for all our guests and our neighbors, parties aren't allowed at the Lodge or on its grounds.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 3pm. Check-out is at 12 noon.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at no charge until 10 days before your arrival. If you cancel with less than 10 days' notice, we'll do our best to re-book the room. If we can't, we charge one night plus tax.
Is there a minimum stay?
No, except on big event weekends like the Parkfield Rodeo.
The Parkfield Cafe
What is the Parkfield Cafe?
The Parkfield Cafe is a family owned and operated BBQ restaurant in Parkfield, California, serving oak-fired burgers and steaks since 1989. It's a log building full of saddles, branding irons, and a big stone fireplace, where cowboys, road-trippers, and families all end up at neighboring tables. Come hungry and plan to stay awhile.
When is the Parkfield Cafe open?
The Cafe is open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Summer hours (mid-March through early November)
Thursday and Sunday: 11:30am – 8:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:30am – 9:00pm
Winter hours (early November through mid-March)
Thursday and Sunday: 11:30am – 7:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:30am – 8:00pm
The Cafe is closed every Monday through Wednesday, the month of December, and Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, and the 4th of July.
What's on the menu?
Our burgers and steaks are cooked over an open oak Santa Maria style BBQ pit, including our famous Parkfield Shakin' Burger, the Blue Cheese Burger, and 16 oz Ribeye steaks. We also serve soups, salads, V6 Chuckwagon Chili, sandwiches, and a veggie burger. Save room for an apple dumpling. See our full menu here.
What is the Shakin' Burger?
The Parkfield Shakin' Burger is our most popular menu item, named because it's earth-shakin' good. Years ago, it took home People's Choice or Judges' Choice at a local burger competition so many years in a row that we stopped entering. It's been resting on its laurels ever since.
It starts with a 1/3-pound patty, topped with avocado, homemade chipotle ranch, jack cheese, and our Shakin' Salsa (onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice), plus fresh lettuce and tomato. It all comes on our signature toasted bun, baked fresh by Brian's Bread.
Do you serve beer and wine?
Yes, we serve local beer and wine.
Do you have vegetarian or pescatarian options?
Yes! Any burger can be made with a black bean and corn veggie patty or a salmon patty instead of beef. We also have a grilled cheese sandwich, Shakin' Fries, and salads.
Is the Cafe kid-friendly?
The Parkfield Cafe is very kid friendly! We have a kids' menu with grilled cheese and chicken strips, a tree house outside, and plenty of room to run in our shaded, fenced lawn area.
Do you have outdoor seating?
Yes! We have some porch seating along with a huge lawn area scattered with picnic tables and shaded by valley oaks.
Are dogs allowed at the Cafe?
Yes! Leashed dogs are welcome on the porch and in our outdoor areas. Inside the Cafe, only service animals are allowed.
Do you take reservations?
We take reservations for groups of 15 or more. Email info@v6ranch.com or call 805-463-2421. Smaller groups are always welcome on a walk-in basis.
Is the Cafe worth the drive?
Our guests seem to think so! Many make the drive on the back roads from Paso Robles just for lunch, and it's a favorite stop for motorcyclists on Vineyard Canyon Road. Pair lunch with a stop at the San Andreas Fault bridge just outside town, or make it a true getaway and stay at the Parkfield Lodge.
Getting Here
Where is Parkfield, California?
Parkfield is in the Cholame Valley in southeastern Monterey County, about 35 miles northeast of Paso Robles. The Cafe and Lodge are at 70410 Parkfield Coalinga Road, Parkfield, CA 93451.
How far is Parkfield from Los Angeles and San Francisco?
About 3.5 hours from both.
How far is Parkfield from Paso Robles?
About a 40 minute drive. It's close enough for lunch or an afternoon of wine tasting, but far enough that it feels like a different world. Many guests add a night in Parkfield before or after their Paso trip.
Is Parkfield a good place to stop between LA and San Francisco?
Yes! The Parkfield Cafe & Lodge is almost exactly halfway between LA and San Francisco, just 20 minutes off Highway 46 at Cholame and about an hour off I-5. If you're crossing between I-5 and 101 on Highway 46, Parkfield makes an easy overnight stop, and a lot more memorable than a highway motel.
What's the best way to drive to Parkfield?
From Paso Robles, take Highway 101 north to San Miguel, exit at Mission Street, turn right on 14th Street, and follow the signs about 25 miles to Parkfield. The last stretch is on a scenic, quiet, winding country road, so plan on taking it easy.
What if the Cafe is closed during my stay?
Bring groceries! Parkfield Lodge guests have access to a kitchenette and Santa Maria Style BBQ, and cooking dinner together is part of the fun! The closest grocery stores are in Paso Robles, so stock up on your way in.
The San Andreas Fault
Can you stay near the San Andreas Fault?
Yes! The Parkfield Lodge is just a quarter mile from the San Andreas Fault. Walk down to the bridge where the fault crosses the road, and you can step from the Pacific Plate to the North American Plate.
Why is Parkfield called the Earthquake Capital of the World?
Parkfield is the most studied spot on Earth for earthquakes. Magnitude-6 quakes have struck here roughly every 22 years, most recently in 2004, and that regularity made Parkfield one of the most densely monitored earthquake regions in the world. The USGS has run the Parkfield Experiment here since 1985, involving more than 100 researchers, and scientists drilled deep into the fault at the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth. The 2004 quake has been called the best-recorded earthquake in history. Learn more here.
Will I feel an earthquake?
Probably not. Small quakes happen often, but most are too small to notice. But you never know, you might just be here when it happens!
Is visiting the fault good for kids?
Kids love it! Standing with one foot on each tectonic plate beats any textbook, which makes Parkfield a great field trip for homeschool families.
Things to Do
What is there to do in Parkfield?
Parkfield is a place to kick off your boots and relax. Swim in the pool, soak in the hot tub, sit around the fire pit, BBQ on the grounds, walk or cycle our quiet country roads, read by the fireplace in the Gathering Room, or sit on the porch and just be. You can also walk the San Andreas Fault bridge just outside town.
We host events throughout the year, including the Parkfield Rodeo, the Parkfield Bluegrass Festival, and Early Californios Skills of the Rancho. Learn more about our events here.
Can I go horseback riding on the V6 Ranch during my stay?
Sometimes, but plan ahead. Guided trail rides on the V6 Ranch, our family's 20,000-acre working cattle ranch, are only available to guests staying at the Parkfield Lodge, and they book up fast. Spring and fall usually sell out, and summer and winter availability is limited. If a ride is a must for your trip, contact us at info@v6ranch.com before booking your room.
Does a stay at the Lodge include access to the V6 Ranch?
No. The V6 Ranch is first and foremost a working cattle ranch, so all guest activities there are guided and booked separately. Trail rides are available only to Lodge guests, as space allows. The best way to experience the V6 Ranch is to join one of our organized events. See all of our V6 Ranch events here.
When is the best time to visit Parkfield?
Honestly, we love every season in our little town. Spring brings green hills and wildflowers, summer is pool and fire pit season, and fall and winter are for quiet evenings by the fire.