Older Edna

Gareth ednahallStory by Gareth Kelly
Photos courtesy of Old Edna

Nestled between Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo, just along state Highway 227 lies the small quaint township of Old Edna. Settled around 1887, Old Edna was for many years a dilapidated assortment of antiquated buildings on the side of the road that no one really noticed. That was until 1998 when Pattea Torrence decided to take a chance, follow her dream and lease the site.
“I remember spending time here as a kid when I was 16,” said Torrence. “I had an affection for the place and decided to lease it in 1998 not sure what I was going to do. I had very little money and no idea where the journey would take me, but the more time I spent here the more I fell in love with it. Eventually I bought the site, and today I could not be more proud of what it has become. Not only my little town site but the whole of the Edna Valley.”

Having once been a bustling town with its own narrow gauge railway depot, Torrence has poured her blood, sweat, tears and unbridled love and passion into revitalizing this unique property over the past 15 years. With many buildings comprising the town site, Old Edna is both a vacation rental, home to Sextant Winery tasting room and a place for people to explore as they imagine what the world was like in the late 1880s.
Gareth0334“We have Suite Edna, a beautiful 3 bedroom ranch house complete with an (almost) finished wine cellar,” Torrence said. “A mere 100 yards away from the main home is Desolina, a sexy one bedroom romantic retreat with a large claw foot bathtub and outdoor shower. Next our quaint day room, Elma, the perfect place to sit, enjoy a glass of wine and perhaps propose to one’s love. The Blacksmith is a small function room perfect for hosting bridal showers, lunches or meetings. Somewhere wandering around is our Gypsy wagon that, like a gypsy, never seems to stay in one place. Finally, there is the Blue Belly Barn. Currently home to a few goats, sheep and tractors Blue Belly is the final project on my list of restorations.”
Gareth_0332Having weathered the economic struggles of the early 2000s Torrence and Old Edna were instrumental in reviving the fortunes of not only this town site but of the valley that shares its name. Edna Valley has blossomed into the perfect south country wine region accompaniment to the ever-growing tourist destination that is San Luis Obispo County. In fact, in conjunction with the SLO CBID (County Business Improvement District) Torrence has established Old Edna as part of the Coastal Discovery and Stewardship program highlighting all the many fun activities to do in Edna Valley.
“Years ago everyone went to Paso to wine taste,” Torrence said. “There was only really one room available as a vacation rental here in the valley but now things are very different. There are Greengate Ranch, Biddle Ranch, a few more and us. This little valley has really come a long way and is now a wine region and destination in its own right. As part of the stewardship program we have a self guided walking tour around the property. People can pick up a map and wander around looking at the chickens, the goats and all the buildings. The kids really love it. I love having kids out here, I love seeing the delight in their eyes as they explore stuff.”
As the current ‘mayor’ of Old Edna or as she now suggests she be referred to ‘older Edna,’ Torrence is a master of self-promotion. Having collected historical bits and pieces over the years combined with being ever present on social media, Torrence may have stumbled on the next big thing for Old Edna during a recent trip to a local grocery store.
“There I was buying groceries when I saw a man and his daughter,” Torrence said. “The man seemed a little stressed so I let him go in front of me at the register. Looking at me he said, ‘Wait I know you, Pattea right?’ It turns out the gentleman was a Hollywood TV producer and he follows me on Facebook and loves the story of Old Edna. We’ve been chatting ever since and have discussed the idea of a TV series. So far it’s in the very early stages and nothing is guaranteed, but that would be amazing, hopefully not too much longer before this Edna gets any older.”
With much work to do on Blue Belly Barn, Torrence certainly has her hands full. Old Edna truly is a special place, so the next time you’re trying to beat the traffic south by sneaking down HWY 227 hang a right just before Price Canyon road and go explore Old Edna. You never know who or what you might find.
More information on Old Edna can be found online at www.oldedna.com

Gareth, at 35, is starting to feel older. What do you do to stay and feel young? Email him your stories at [email protected]