Cold Spring Tavern, 19th century stagecoach stop restaurant in San Marcos Pass, United States.
Cold Spring Tavern is a restaurant nestled in Cold Spring Canyon near Highway 154, surrounded by dense forest and mountain terrain in San Marcos Pass. The menu focuses on traditional game meats such as venison, duck, and rabbit, and the property includes a historic wooden jail structure from 1873.
The building began as Cold Spring Relay Station in 1865, serving as a place where stagecoaches changed horses while traveling through San Marcos Pass. The wooden jail from 1873 was originally located in Ojai and later moved to this site, becoming a permanent fixture on the property.
The restaurant gained significance in American food culture by being the first place to serve the original Hidden Valley Ranch dressing in 1956. This pioneering role shaped how people across the country would come to enjoy salad dressings for decades to come.
The restaurant is located in a remote forested area, so it is wise to check ahead before visiting to confirm it is open. The drive involves winding mountain roads, so plan extra time for the journey to avoid rushing.
The property contains an 1873 wooden jail that was originally built in the town of Ojai and transported to this mountain location. This structure is unusual because it is the only jail in California known to have been moved across a mountain pass.
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