Most likely the most northern commercial date farm in the state of California – this remote ranch is well worth making the trek out to buy delicious dates (some 1,500 trees and 20 varieties). Located about 90 minutes from Las Vegas and 4 hours from Los Angeles. The property has a fascinating history – settled by a Chinese man who came here pre-1900 after working the Borax mines in Death Valley. He mysteriously disappeared (probably forcibly run off his property) around 1900. The property was later settled by State Senator Charles Brown of Shoshone and his family and the Modine family. Actor Matthew Modine’s grandmother, Vonola Modine actually planted the first date palms here in the 1920’s entirely from seed.
Today the ranch is open to visitors seven days a week – selling a variety of dates, date shakes and numerous souvenirs and other edibles in the shop. Access is on a dirt road that winds its way through a canyon eventually reaching the ranch and passing some of the date palms. In addition to the shop, a small museum is located on site detailing the history of the property and ownership.
And in addition to visiting their shop, visitors can spend additional time hiking trails on the property ranging from short to several miles in length. A hike to the nearby Amargosa River is one of the highlights.
For more information, visit: www.chinaranch.com
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