About Middle Ridge Studio
Middle Ridge Studio is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of California’s Diablo Mountain Range on the V6 Ranch, just outside the charming town of Parkfield. Conveniently located 35 miles from Paso Robles, 65 miles from San Luis Obispo, and a scenic three-and-a-half-hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, the studio offers a serene, distraction-free environment perfect for creativity to flourish.
Housed in a secluded 20’ x 30’ log cabin, the studio blends rustic charm with cutting-edge technology. Originally built in 1988 by John Varian as a private retreat, the cabin had fallen into disrepair, becoming a haven for wildlife. When Cian Hamilton and his wife Lauren decided to transform it into Parkfield’s first recording studio, they restored it to its former glory—and then some. Now fully equipped with a mix of vintage and modern recording gear, as well as an array of instruments, Middle Ridge Studio provides an inspiring space for artists to create in a truly unique setting, far removed from the noise of everyday life.
ABOUT THE V6 Ranch
Middle Ridge Studio sits in the hills of the 20,000 acre V6 Ranch, owned and operated by the Varian Family since 1961. The ranch sits in the southern tip of Monterey County (Central Coast of California) in an area the Tachi Yokut named Cholame, meaning “The Beautiful One”. True to it’s name, the ranch envelops some of the most alluring, pristine landscapes in California and one of the most diverse ecosystems in the United States. Its grasslands, chaparral, tree groves, and lakes provide a home to black tailed deer, wild boar, coyotes, native plants, over 200 species of birds and so much more. The dramatic, ever-shifting, and vast landscapes were molded by the San Andreas Fault that runs through the ranch, not far from Middle Ridge Studio. The V6 Ranch is managed by award-winning conservationist, Jack Varian and is protected under a conservation easement, ensuring that the ranch will stay open and undivided for perpetuity.
Middle Ridge Studio offers an unparalleled opportunity to create in a unaltered, secluded California landscape.
About Parkfield
Parkfield is a tiny hamlet nestled in the Cholame Valley in the Central Coast of California. Parkfield remains frozen in time with a population of just 18 people, one of the last one room schoolhouses in the United States, and no stop signs or stoplights. Parkfield is home to the Parkfield Cafe, an award-winning BBQ restaurant, and the 10 room Parkfield Lodge that includes historic buildings such as the 100+ year old Parkfield Water Tower and the Parkfield Post Office. Parkfield is the nearest town to Middle Ridge Studio, just five miles down the road, and provides the accommodation for artists working at the studio.
This bucolic little town has a rich history as a haven for artists and creatives. Over the years Parkfield has been a retreat and a home for artists such as California’s first impressionist painter Granville Redmond, celebrated cowboy artist Edward Borein, and war and courtroom sketch artist Howard Brodie that covered trials such as the Chicago Seven and the Charles Manson trials, as well as WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, & the Korean War. In recent years Parkfield has hosted group retreats for artists, photographers and actors from around the world. Parkfield is also home to the Parkfield Bluegrass Festival.
Rolling Hills With California Poppies - Granville Redmond