Wonder Valley Ranch Resort is located in a scenic Sierra foothills valley, and though the area is tranquil today, legends of the past tell of colorful characters and turbulent times. From the early rock walls built by the region's first settlers, to the Indian artifacts found in our Museum, signs of life dating back through three centuries are all around Wonder Valley.

The Yokut Tribe made Wonder Valley their home in the 1800s. At Indian Rock, just a short walk from the ranch, the depressions in the rock reflect the days when women ground grain and washed clothes as they watched their children playing in the cool waters of Mill Creek.

In 1891, Wonder Valley was a refuge for the infamous Dalton Brothers. Many a story has been told about this gang of outlaws in California. Their hideout was on a mountainside at the East end of the valley where they kept a watchful eye out for any pursuit.

Ranchers were the principal occupants of Wonder Valley during the early 1900s when rancher George Pierson began the guest ranch tradition in California by allowing friends to stay at his ranch and help with the cattle "for the fun of it." Eventually, this evolved into the Pierson Guest Ranch, established in 1911, with the Pierson family operating it until the mid-1940s.

The Webb family then bought the Pierson Guest Ranch and changed its name to "Wonder Valley Dude Ranch." Once again, it became a refuge of sorts, this time for movie stars from Hollywood. In the 1950s, Wonder Valley was a favorite escape for Betty Hutton, Tom Mix, Victor McLaughlin, Roy Rogers and many others.

In 1973, the Oken family purchased the property, and still own and operate it today under the name of Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center. Strong on family tradition, the Okens succeed in continuing the ranch's reputation for country hospitality. So when you come to Wonder Valley, you’re not just staying in a room, you’re becoming a part of our history.

The Oken family felt that the history of Wonder Valley is important and it needed to be preserved. In 2005, we added a museum to our grounds, which highlights the colorful history of our valley through collected and donated memorabilia. Located inside the Dalton Lodge, our museum exhibits photos, artifacts, and documents that trace the history of the life of the Native Americans and the homesteaders, the land purchase for the ranch and eventually the development of the ranch resort as it is seen today. On display are Native American blankets, rock specimens identified by a geologist, earthenware, horse tack, posters, vintage ads and of course many photos from as early as 1849.