Webb Ranch, located in Portola Valley, is a multigenerational farm that has been serving the community for over 100 years. Founded in 1922 by George Webb, the ranch is now under the direction of fourth-generation farm manager Atlee Frechette. Webb Ranch has become a center for community, offering both fresh produce and family-friendly experiences.
“It’s a hidden gem,” Frechette said. “Families and people of all ages can enjoy activities that are centered around organic farming and equestrian opportunities.”
Webb Ranch has been a certified organic farm since 2008, growing organic fruits and vegetables that have been popular for years.
Webb Ranch also hosts seasonal events for the community, such as berry picking in the summer. “Folks can come on site, we provide baskets, and they go down the rows and pick what is ripe that day. It’s become an operation and a community experience for people, very family-friendly, and enjoyable for all ages,” Frechette said.
In the fall, the ranch transforms into a pumpkin patch, where patrons can purchase pumpkins and other seasonal produce like tomatoes, corn, and blackberries. Toward the end of the year, Webb Ranch opens its famous Christmas tree lot, importing trees grown in Washington and Oregon. The event, known as Santa’s Village, includes free hot cocoa, popcorn and complimentary tree services. They also sell holiday decorations such as bows, garlands, wreaths, poinsettias, and ornaments.
Aside from the seasonal festivities, Webb Ranch also has countless daily tasks that need tending. “We have to maintain our roads, we have to maintain our horse riding arenas…and we’re also doing everything in-house, billing, invoicing, HR, payroll, business regulations, compliance, you name it,” Frechette said.
For Frechette, the ranch is home. “Spending childhood on the ranch was such a gift. Anything from exploring the horse pastures, farm fields, growing up being able to ride horses is truly a unique childhood experience, but I am really grateful for it,” she said.
In 1922, Frechette’s great-grandfather, G. Webb was a strawberry farmer in Watsonville looking for land closer to the San Francisco markets. After Leland Stanford made a deal with him, the land was leased to G. Webb for farming.
In the next few years, Frechette’s grandfather, Stanley Webb, took over. Following that, Frechette’s mom and aunt began teaching and boarding horses. This led to the start of the equestrian portion of the business, where they offer riding lessons, space to board horses, and trails and riding arenas. With over 250 horses, horse boarding has always been a steady part of the business. Now, the farm is run by Frechette, her father, and her sister’s side of the family.
Looking forward, Frechette hopes to offer new experiences to customers. “I have some hopes and goals that I could expand our offerings in certain ways, whether it be educational offerings for kids of all ages, and so that they can get hands-on experience with what we do here,” she said.
“There’s a lot to love. The ability to continue family business tradition is one, two is providing these experiences and opportunities for people in our community that I think are really valuable,” Frechette said. “It’s stuff that I grew up with, and it was valuable to me, and now we get to continue that.”
