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Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly!

Holiday home in Newcastle with kitchen

Photo gallery for Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly!

Fall at Whirlawind Ranch
Room
Room
Bathroom
Living area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 253.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Newcastle, CA
  • Place, Gold Country Fairgrounds
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Placer County Museum
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Clementine
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Airport, Sacramento, CA (SMF-Sacramento Intl.)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly!

If you want to experience what living on a working ranch is like, you've come to the place. Our small but active ranch is home to 12horses, 2 miniature donkeys, 2 barbados sheep, chickens, 4 cats, 1 bunny and an awesome border collie name Jax.

Your bunkhouse is adjacent to the barn. You can't get much closer! Enjoy a swing in the hammock while gazing at the green pastures filled with horses grazing. Bring your horse and trail ride in the Endurance Capital of the World.
Sign up for horse lessons, and/or a trail ride on one of our horses.
Spend the evening star gazing by the fire pit while listening to the local owls.
And more....

Our beautiful ranch is located 1.5 miles to Rattlesnake State Park/Folsom Lake. There is hiking, kayaking, boating and swimming. We are within 20 minutes of unlimited trails and the wine country. Enjoy hiking, kayaking, boating, and swimming nearby. Everything you could want in the Foothills.

P.S. There is a one time $40 per dog/cat fee. Horse are $25 per day.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
12 and over. Contact me to discuss under 12.
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Events

No events allowed
This would depend
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
Dog and horses allowed for an extra fee.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
$40 per dog/pet per stay $25 per horse per day
Dogs must be under owner control at all times. If a dog is caught chasing or harassing livestock you may be asked to leave.
Upon departure, please wash dishes and place dirty laundry in the laundry basket.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: This would depend
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Newcastle

Newcastle is home to this holiday home. Bernhard Museum Complex and Folsom Powerhouse are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Placer County Museum and The Statues of Ken Fox. Gold Country Fairgrounds and Quarry Park are also worth visiting. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking nearby.
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Map
Newcastle, CA

What's nearby

  • Folsom Lake - 5 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Gold Country Fairgrounds - 8 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Placer County Museum - 9 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Lake Clementine - 13 min drive - 13.5 km
  • Thunder Valley Casino - 23 min drive - 35.3 km

Getting around

  • Auburn/Conheim Station - 11 min drive
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF-Sacramento Intl.) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Micks Bar and Grill - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Hermanos Jalisco Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Maidu Market - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Valencia Club - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Greenhouse Penryn - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly!?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Whirlawind Horse Ranch We are pet friendly! located?

Situated in Newcastle, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Folsom Lake, Bernhard Museum Complex and Bonitata Boutique Wine. Gold Country Fairgrounds and Joss House Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 119 out of 125 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 125 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 125 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 125 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 125 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Gina F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful ranch property with lots of friendly animals and room roam. At night, an owl came and sat in the tree above us as we watched the moon. Caroline has created a very special place and we were lucky enough to enjoy it with her.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debbie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Property

Beautiful friendly place…
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Week of chill

What a charming little cottage. If you love horses and open space you will love this place. Colleen is a wonderful host and available as needed.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful, Quiet Getaway

Loved watching the horses graze and the chickens wander :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberleigh F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Whirlawind

Fantastic stay. Very peaceful. Host was very kind.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Taylor G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super accommodating when I was in a pinch!

Colleen was super nice and helpful during our whole stay! When we’re first pulled in there are so many lovely animals, including a very friendly dog.I was here for a race and was able to have my family come stay as well. We got to say hi to the horses and jog around in the nearby roads for a short period. Great location, great place, and gracious host. I would come back next year if it works out! Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Andrea H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Accurate yet disappointing

Beautiful property 10 mi ties from Auburn. Photos were accurate, as was the descriptive word ADJACENT, yet to me that means in close proximity or near, not IN the barn. Because the apartment is IN the barn, it smelled like horses and dirt. If that’s your thing, this will be great for you. I hoped for a “close to” unit that was cleaner and more up to date. Other than that, it is a wonderful place to spend a few days.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jermaine P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful stay

A lovely stay with a wonderful and generous host. Such a treat to have the horses nearby. Thank you Colleen!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jodi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from home

Beautiful property, Colleen was a fabulous host, very thoughtful added many extra touches. Very peaceful.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and Peaceful

The property and animals were so enjoyable and well cared for. Beautiful setting and peaceful. Loved the back yard. I felt like i was at home. Huge shout out to Jax, the boarder collie. The best welcome everytime i seen him. Absolutely would stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gayle D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from home

It was perfect. We were so comfortable there. Plenty of room, all the amenities we needed, great host. The grandchildren loved hanging out with us. Truly could not have asked for more.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Petrice L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Calm and refreshing getaway. The bunkhouse is clean, comfortable, has sharp knives (not the usual for rentals), the fridge had ranch fresh eggs and the property is dog friendly! Colleen is an A1 hostess with a wonderful property. Would stay her again and recommend that you do too.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Simply Wonderful!

Beautiful property with a retreat like setting. The owner is incredibly gracious and made us feel so welcome. Home laid eggs in the fridge and delicious Christmas cookies were waiting for us in the bunkhouse. Overall it is a very clean, comfy and cozy place to stay! We look forward to coming back!

10/10 Excellent

Liz J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

getaway

I had a wonderful time with my stay at Whirlawind Ranch. The place was nice and clean and it was very relaxing looking at the horses in the pasture. Colleen gave me directions to the lake down the road and I used the free pass to get into the park. I also enjoyed the farm fresh eggs that were in the refrigerator. I would love to return sometime.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maria F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful retreat

We truly enjoyed Whirlwind Ranch. The property is more than we expected. It is absolutely beautiful and serene. Colleen was so friendly and kind. Their dog Jax is so cute and sweet. The fresh eggs and pastries were a pleasant surprise. It is a wonderful experience to be around beautiful horses and cool donkeys!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Property

Our stay at Colleen’s ranch was truly exceptional. It provided a peaceful retreat, and we looked forward to the warm morning greetings from her friendly dog. The property’s beauty and the outstanding amenities exceeded our expectations. Colleen, our gracious hostess, was exceptionally genuine and personable. We wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful experience to others!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A memorable experience

The bunkhouse is a part of the overall barn with windows looking out both sides to the pastures (on one side) and to the interior of the barn itself (on the other). The outdoor area is shaded under beautiful trees and provided such a relaxing place to sit, read, or eat a meal. Colleen is great and communicative, and the bunkhouse has everything you need to cook. When we checked in, we were greeted by Jax, a very friendly dog, and were pleased to find farm fresh eggs in the refrigerator. The interior was spacious and comfortable that only added to the outdoor space available to guests.Our four night stay was perfectly quiet, peaceful, and restful — and we enjoyed being around the 11 horses, 2 mini donkeys, 1 sheep, multiple chickens/roosters, and a barn cat.The only real issue was the wifi which was a hotspot that didn’t get very good signal —and the download and upload speeds were unusable at times. Cell service is also not very strong so maintaining data communications was challenging, and doing anything with video was near impossible.
View from the outdoor area adjacent to the bunkhouse.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maria W., Roseville, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We love the horse ranch

A beautiful horse ranch in Newcastle. The king-sized bed is comfortable and the bunk house is great. This is our 4th time back. It’s only 30 minutes from home and a great place to relax. Colleen, the owner, is so friendly and accommodating. She’s great. We will be back. PS: your dog is welcome there. 🐶
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thelma B., Sacramento

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic

We needed a someplace quiet, fireworks free, that would accommodate two large dogs for a couple of days around the 4th of July. This fit the bill perfectly. Not one firecracker heard to traumatize the dogs during our stay. The host is easily accessible and responsive. A binderful of local info available, plus books and games.The beds and pillows were very comfortable and the kitchen was well stocked. The cottage is the old bunkhouse, but it has been updated to an attractive country modern with a really nice bath remodel. It is attached to the barn and only feet away from the paddock. Getting to watch the horses pass right outside our window while being moved from field to barn was the highlight of our quiet mini-vacation. The dogs enjoyed it too. You are less than 5 minutes drive from a boat ramp and access to Folsom Lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Slice of heaven

I am in love with this property. It is close to Auburn and its conveniences, but gives the relaxed country vibe I was looking for. The host was so friendly, and Jax the resident border collie hung out with us, which was fun! The bed was super comfortable, too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wow!

Such a nice place to stay for 3-nights. My wife, myself and our 7lb dog stayed here and enjoyed it so much. The Ranch was so quiet and relaxing. It is small but has everything we needed. Colleen was fantastic! She was running a working ranch with beautiful horses and other livestock. She was available if needed and we had complete privacy if wanted. Everything needed was a 10 minute drive away. We will definitely be back when we stay up in the Newcastle/Auburn area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cory B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Top Notch Accomdations

I couldn't have asked for a better first time experience in choosing a VRBO. The property and personal touches were top notch. If you love the country you'll love this place. Colleen was so friendly and accommodating. The fresh eggs were the BEST! We really enjoyed access to the lake with a pass she provides. I'd stay here every time I come back to Cali. Thank you Colleen and Jacs!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Don F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet Setting

We spent four nights here, while visiting family in the area, and loved both the setting as well as the accommodations. Additionally, the hostess was very helpful throughout our stay. The best surprise during our stay was spending time with Jax, the Border Collie that lives on the ranch--an adorable, sweet dog.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Noor B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful getaway out of a movie

Came to stay over Memorial Day weekend with my husband for a short baby moon trip. The host was sweet & helpful whenever needed. She left us eggs from their chickens and some yummy pastries for when we arrived. She also provided a parking pass to the state parks which was super helpful when visiting the lake nearby. It was also pet friendly so that was a big help for us with our cat.The property is even more beautiful than the photos, for me it was the perfect combination of being in nature but still well-kept and neat. My favorite part was having our breakfast on the lawn each morning, overlooking the horses and other animals grazing. Some of the horses would even approach you if you went down to visit them. Their farm dog Jax was so friendly but calm and was hanging around us for a lot of our stay which we didn’t mind at all. The lawn also had a nice fire pit and seating which we didn’t end up having time to use.The apartment itself was very clean and well equipped with dishes, cookware, brita jug, basic ingredients, plenty of towels & blankets, bath products, AC & portable heater.The WiFi was spotty most of the time so we couldn’t cozy up with a movie on the tv apps or our devices. We played scrabble from the living room instead and spent the days outdoors so it wasn’t a big issue for us but something to consider if you need internet to work.Overall our stay wasn’t nearly long enough, really could have stayed outdoors all day relaxing. Would return & recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy countryside stay near all amenities

Our host Colleen goes above and beyond. So kind and thoughtful and respectful. The horse pasture is beautiful and the ranch animals are lovingly cared for. The ranch dog, Jax is so smart and a friendly presence. Can’t say enough about this beautiful place. Some very nice welcoming touches including; scones from a local bakery, fresh farm eggs, evening bon fire, filtered water pitcher, and the king size bed is very comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

About the host

Hosted by Colleen Mahaffey-Raty

Host profile image

Languages:

English
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