About Middle Ridge Studio
Middle Ridge Studio is a hidden gem on the Central Coast of California, tucked away on the V6 Ranch just outside of the tiny town of Parkfield. Conveniently located 35 miles from Paso Robles, 65 miles from San Luis Obispo, and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, the studio offers a serene, sustainable, distraction-free environment perfect for creativity to flourish.
Set within 17,000 acres of protected land, the studio is housed in a secluded 20’ x 30’ log cabin that blends rustic charm with modern function. Originally built in 1988 by John Varian as a private retreat, the cabin eventually fell into disrepair. In 2022, Cian Hamilton and his wife Lauren restored it to its former glory, and then some, transforming it into Parkfield’s first recording studio.
Today, the cabin runs fully off-grid and solar powered, providing a reliable and sustainable space for creative work. Outfitted with a mix of vintage and modern gear, plus a wide range of instruments, Middle Ridge Studio gives artists an inspiring setting, far from the noise of everyday life, and deeply connected to the land around it.
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 17,000 acres are 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