Hidden Valley^®: Where Vegetables Are Delectable

The Story of Hidden Valley

Over fifty years ago, a Nebraska-born entrepreneur settled in Santa Barbara, CA. This young Nebraskan cowboy dreamed of striking it rich. So like so many young men before him, he headed west with his high school sweetheart.

Nestled in the mountains, he stumbled upon 120 acres of sprawling land filled with streams, waterfalls and picturesque views outside Santa Barabara, California. It was here that Hidden Valley Ranch was born.

The family bought the land in 1954 and ran Hidden Valley Ranch, offering hiking tours, horseback riding and fishing, in the day. At night, folks would enjoy a home-cooked meal before gathering around the campfire to listen to stories. Guests came to enjoy the great outdoors and wholesome meals, but it was something else that made them come back: the delicious, homemade buttermilk salad dressing with a special blend of herbs and spices lovingly prepared by the proprietor — what we know today as the original Ranch dressing.

Guests loved it, asking for jars to take home for family and friends to try. Soon there was so much demand for the dressing that a mail-order business began by shipping Hidden Valley Ranch dressing out to an ever-growing fan base.

Who knew that Hidden Valley^® Ranch dressing, a mix of herbs, spices and buttermilk whipped up back in the ‘50s would grow to sell throughout the United States and eventually in more than 30 countries? Ranch has become America's favorite dressing and can be found in virtually every restaurant these days. It is enjoyed on everything from salads and vegetables to pizza and fried chicken. Today, you can still enjoy the taste of Original Ranch with its perfect blend of herbs and spices and also try great new flavors born from our rich heritage.