Reinstein Ranch is one of the oldest continuously operated horse and cattle ranches in Contra Costa County. It’s rich heritage includes being a hub of agricultural activity with a full blown blacksmith operation for its 48 draft horses, winning the Grand Prize at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900, (for wheat grown on the ranch) to creating lengthy portions of Highland, Manning and Carneal roads which are now maintained by the County.

 

In this historic setting you’ll find a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, great energy and great people; one visit and you'll never forget us! We take great pride in providing a drama-free experience in disciplines from trail to natural horsemanship, traditional reigning and good 'ol cowboy cutting on horseback.


”Rancho Santa Rita” as it was originally named, was purchased in the 1850’s by J. West Martin, one of the original UC Regents and a two-term mayor of the City of Oakland. He built numerous outbuildings and a huge draft horse barn around 1860, which is still in use on the property today.

 

His stepson Thomas Carneal eventually took over the ranch, building 20 new barns and expanding the operation including building the Highland School on the corner of Highland and Carneal Roads which still stands and is a beautiful private residence today.

 

In the late 1800’s my great-grandfather came from Denmark, (which at the time was a state within the German Empire.) Frederick Reinstein who owned a large portion the property on Finley road, (which is now divided into small ranchettes,) started Reinstein Ranch in 1884 after arriving from Denmark in 1880. The ranch expanded to include its current location with his son Henry Reinstein, then Henry’s son and now Arthur’s son, Thom. Reinstein Ranch has been in continuous operation in the same family

Frederick Reinstein circa 1905

with his draft stallion “Black Dick”

since that time expanding to several thousand acres and now consolidated to some 600 acres on Highland Road.

 

In the early part of the last century my grandfather, Henry bought Thomas Carneal’s ranch and home. My father, Arthur Reinstein was born in the family’s ranch house built in the late 1800’s, the house where my wife Roberta and I live now as fourth generation area ranchers.

 

Since those early days, the “home place” as it’s always been called, has been a beehive of
activity with later day ranch duties being performed by a team of up to 48 giant draft horses housed in the massive wooden horse barn on the north end of the ranch yard which to this day still serves as shelter for

smaller breeds boarded by the ranch. The large collars, yokes and driving reins still hang in one of the tack sheds as a reminder of the important part horses have always played at Reinstein Ranch. Today the ranch is home to some 80 horses and 100 head of beef cattle.

 

Reinstein Ranch has been modernized to a degree over the years but still maintains its one-of-a-kind ambiance which has a noted calming affect on not only our boarders, our horses but we as a family as well. It is a relaxed oasis from the high-tech, fast paced world that lies close by in the greater bay area.

 

When we’re out and about off the ranch and we explain to folks

Henry Reinstein circa 1905

on a working draft horse.

that we’re east bay ranchers, it’s not uncommon to get apuzzled look as people struggle to think of an area in the east bay where an  historic 1880’s working ranch is still in operation.


 We feature a full complement of equine facilities with full board and care. We have four barns, two arenas and two round pens as well as turnouts, wash racks, trails, as well as some of the areas most talented independent trainers offering lessons for both horse and rider.



Reinstein Ranch caters to disciplines from trail to natural horsemanship, traditional reigning, good 'ol cowboy cutting on horseback and more.

 

Should you be interested in our facility for your horse, please call us at the ‘ol ranch phone at 925-447-0194, (same number for over half a century,) and let us set up a private tour of the ranch for you. You can also use this new fangled thing called e-mail; thom@reinsteinranch.com -- Till we see you again, happy trails! – Thom Reinstein – Reinstein Ranch LLC



First generation Reinstein on home built

on Finley Road.

       








View of the “home place” in 1920’s #1




              

View of the “home place” in the 1920’s  #2




Henry Reinstein in this undated photo is 5”11 note how tall the wheat is! The ranch won the Grand Prize at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900, for wheat grown on the ranch! This is the actual gold metal that resides at the ranch to this day.