Historic Estate

McCormick Home Ranch was built in 1918, this historic home is set on 11 verdant acres, eight of them devoted to avocado trees. The Ranch is surrounded by miles of farmland, where everything from strawberries to onions grows almost effortlessly in a fertile plain at the base of the Conejo foothills. That’s what prompted Irish immigrant Thomas McCormick to settle in Camarillo back in 1888, and McCormick Home Ranch has been the scene of family weddings and parties for four generations. Now Sally McCormick, the current matriarch, invites you to experience a little bit o’ country charm. Trees, flowers, and greenery of all kinds make this venue cheery and welcoming. Guests drive onto the property and park in an ample lot behind some shrubs to the side. Then it’s just a short walk to the front of the main house, a white wood-frame Colonial with a trio of dormer windows and a broad brick veranda edged in fragrant star jasmine. A portico extends from one side of the house; on the other, Sally’s old wooden wagon holds your wedding gifts, and her vintage white iron stand supports your guest book. The gravel driveway in front of the house encircles a large lawn. Flowers are everywhere—some in pots, some growing wild like a delicate dusting of confetti. Dining tables face a thicket of colorful jacarandas, palms, pine trees, and all manner of leafy foliage. Tivoli lights twinkle through the jasmine at night, and Japanese lanterns glow softly like candlelight. An exceptionally pretty place is the Garden, reached by a small flagstone path next to the house. A spacious brick patio bordered by trees extends from the side of the house, which has a charming, countrified feel thanks to trails of trumpet vine hugging its windows. At the patio’s far corner, a permanent arch brimming with honeysuckle frames. The center of the Garden holds a stone birdbath encircled with lacy blooms, and the fluttering of sparrow wings and the occasional butterfly make it seem like spring any time of year. Behind the house, yet one more brick patio and garden. An arbor laced with vines and nestled amongst the lush landscaping. Quaint outdoor furniture, birdhouses, and a swing. Throughout the property, delightful discoveries, like distressed watering cans tucked in garden nooks and a genuine cistern pump, contribute to the old-fashioned mood. McCormick Home Ranch recaptures the rustic appeal of bygone days.