The 8,000-square-foot hacienda-style home built by Benjamin Coates is on a ridge at the southern end of the Rancho Guejito property. Its U-shaped courtyard and swimming pool overlook the rancho. (Don Kelsen / LAT)
The road that leads to the gated 21,400-acre Rancho Guejito is adorned with a simple mailbox and unassuming sign bearing the propertys name. (Don Kelsen / LAT)
Rancho Guejito, in northern San Diego County, is privately owned. There is no public access to the property by ground. (Don Kelsen / LAT)
Willie Tellam, 75, here on his horse on his cattle ranch in Ramona, was a cowboy at Rancho Guejito for 35 years and is among the few locals who got to know the late ranch owner, Benjamin Coates. Rancho Guejito remains the only original California Rancho still intact. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
