About Us
An outdoor-loving community
Placed in a former logging town known as Johnsondale, R-Ranch in the Sequoias is a tranquil mountain vacation resort for the year-round enjoyment of its member-owners. Owners can stay for up to 180 days throughout the year.
Our History
Johnsondale and R-Ranch – Written by Walter S. Nicholas
Before it was a private development, the ranch was the Mount Whitney lumber company town called Johnsondale, California. It is located about 26 miles northwest of Kernville along the Kern River. It is surrounded by more than 866,000 acres of the Sequoia National Forest and Monument at an elevation of over 4700 feet and includes750 acres. Referred to as “cabins,” more than 80 individual housing units are actually small homes initially occupied by the logging mills workers. These units have been maintained as charming rustic buildings with all of the amenities one would want in a mountain home. They range in size from one single bedroom to multi-bedroom facilities. Other building to retain evidence of their original use, such as the restaurant, general store, dance hall, chapel, school building, barns, and business offices. Some structures have been converted to provide activities for adults and children. The stable area, or “old town” as it is called, includes 10 buildings, stalls, storage, and other original structures plus a full-sized horse arena. The lake was reconstructed from the original log soaking pond site for the mill and is 7.5 acres in diameter.
Directions
From Los Angeles County or Orange County:
I-5: North – over the grapevine; branch off on Hwy 99 through Bakersfield. Exit onto Hwy 178 (big green exit sign – north end of Bakersfield) through twisty Kern Canyon (the Gorge) to Lake Isabella. Lake Isabella will be on your right. Exit at the 2nd off-ramp “Kernville, Lake Isabella”. At the top of the off-ramp, turn left onto 155. Follow 155, “T” turn left at the (Sierra Way/Mtn 99); follow this road for about 27 miles. Pass R-Ranch sign and turn left down driveway entrance. Please stop & check-in at security. Use the radio to call security if unattended.
M 50 Alternate
** more natural grade, fewer tight curves – Spring/Summer ONLY**
Follow above directions BUT do not exit hwy 178 – Exit Hwy 65 (Porterville-Sequoia Nat’l Forest) follow north and make right on Fountain Springs Avenue (J-22) Ducor. Stay on this road, (becomes Hot Springs Rd), straight through a small crossroads at Fountain Springs. It winds gently through ranches and elevation increases, just past California Hot Springs until you come to a “T” in the road, turn left onto M 50, continue over mountain, straight through until the last “T,” turn right towards Kernville, drive a mile or so and turn right at the Ranch entrance.
I-14 Alternate
At the 5-210-14 junction; take Hwy 14 north. Exit left onto Hwy 178 – over Walker Pass. WATCH and turn Right onto Sierra Way for “Kernville.” After about 14 miles, continue straight, passing the Kernville road on your left. Follow this road (Sierra Way/Mtn 99) for about 27 miles. Pass Ranch sign and turn left down the driveway. Please stop & check-in at security. Use the radio to call security if unattended.
From Riverside or San Diego Counties (L.A. Traffic Bypass):
Take I-15 north to Hwy 395. Follow 395 to Inyokern and exit onto Hwy 178 which circles back to the south several miles until it climbs west over Walker Pass and down into the Kern Valley. This backdoor route is slightly longer and primarily a two-lane desert hwy but used as an L.A. traffic bypass. For Kernville and R Ranch, WATCH and turn Right onto Sierra Way for Kernville. After about 14 miles, continue straight, passing the Kernville road on your left. Follow this road (Sierra Way/Mtn 99) for about 27 miles. Pass R-Ranch sign and turn left down driveway entrance. Please stop & check-in at security. Use the radio to call security if unattended.
