About Us

The Inn at Sugar Pine Ranch (or just Sugar Pine Ranch) is a family business, operated by Craig and Elaine Maxwell. We serve visitors to the Yosemite-Groveland area, in the central region of the High Sierra Mountains, just 22 miles from Yosemite National Park.

The ranch is open most all year. January and February are the coldest months. Except for holidays, the ranch is usually closed during these months due to icy conditions. Check with reservations for availability.

Brief History

Named Peri Ranch in the 1860’s, the property was first used for timber extraction and supplied an on-site lumber mill and other nearby mills. Soon after being settled, a portion of the extensive Golden Rock Water Ditch was constructed across the ranch, and the ranch became a demonstration orchard with fruit trees. As a key infrastructure for drinking water, mining, and agriculture the Ditch’s importance grew. Various companies and entrepreneurs struggled to keep water flowing to the mines and towns. This led to the formation of the Yosemite Power Company, which was eventually headquartered on the ranch. In 1946, the ranch was acquired by Edith and T. Wesley Osborne, who renamed it Sugar Pine Ranch. They continued the tradition of hospitality services, which operated informally, off and on, from around the time that the 2-story farm house structure was build in 1903-07. The Maxwell’s acquired the ranch in 1995. After considerable rehabilitation opened The Inn at Sugar Pine Ranch for discerning and nature loving guests. They adopted the Osborne’s motto – “where the traveler is a stranger but once.”

Business Model

Sixty-two acre Sugar Pine Ranch, with its historic 1860 original ranch house and 1905 two-story lodging and offices addition, 1940s cottages, 1950s motor court, and near olympic size pool added in 1991, along with miles of forested trails, form the foundation for a unique and quaint hospitality business. The Maxwell’s recognized the ranch as an important historic asset, and have acted to preserve it for greater community good — and for visitor and future generation appreciation of what life was like in times past.

During 2010, The Inn at Sugar Pine Ranch and the Groveland Hotel joined forces. Through the established marketing of the Groveland Hotel, and two lodging sites, one in the historic town of Groveland, and the other (SPR) 3.7 miles from Groveland, towards Yosemite, visitors can choose from the best of two worlds, while sharing the benefit of a fine dinning facility – The Cellar Door Restaurant. The two businesses share the same reservation and front desk system, making it convenient for visitors to review and select from a wider array of services and two different venue styles – one in town, and the other closer to nature.

We invite you to explore our two Web sites, Groveland.com and SugarPineRanch.com, to see for yourself the many ways we can be of service. Should you like to speak with a real person that knows the Yosemite area and how best to help you plan your visit, please call 209-962-4000, or toll free 800-273-3314. You may also contact us at the ranch on 209-962-7823.