When Edmond and Deborah Szekely arrived in June of 1940, the valley had abundant water, established vineyards, and goats and cows. It also offered, according to Professor Szekely's research, the most perfect year-round climate in the world.

What's the weather like? If you look up the forecast on an Internet, iPhone app, or other web-based weather source (such as the one shown above), be sure to enter "Tecate, California" and NOT "Tecate, Mexico" or "Tecate, Baja California." Why? The nearest Internet-reporting weather site in Mexico is far to the east of the Ranch in Mexicali, a desert city at sea level where summer temperatures are usually at least 20 degrees hotter than at Rancho La Puerta. In fact, Mexicali weather is ALWAYS different than Rancho La Puerta’s. But the "Tecate, California (USA)" station is just across the border, only about three miles from Rancho La Puerta.

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Rancho La Puerta is blessed with a mild, Mediterranean climate characterized by cool, moist winters and warm-to-hot, dry summers. Most of the gardens lie at 1,600 to 1,800 feet. This allows for some winter frost, which is a requirement for many fruit trees, but is mild enough for citrus and olives. Brief winters are followed by a long, gentle spring. Summers begin warm and end hot, with our inland valley receiving cooling afternoon breezes from the coast, and occasional drying Santa Ana winds from the desert. Autumn brings warm days and chilly nights. Average yearly rainfall is 12 inches, and water is the garden's most precious resource.

Deborah Szekely has a saying: "Wherever you live in the United States, no matter what the season, the weather at the Ranch is invariably better." San Diego has earned recognition for having America's finest climate. We in Tecate – 35 miles away by car and at 1700 feet altitude – equal and surpass San Diego's record, escaping the city's notorious cloud-covered mornings. For us, daybreak is truly a sunrise! Winter days in our mountains can be warm enough for guests to wear shorts. Winter and spring nights and mornings require a sweater or jacket. Occasionally, we get a nighttime frost. Rooms are warmed by gas and/or electric heaters, and many also have wood-burning fireplaces. This is a land of little rain, but we do get occasional storms.

Summer days are usually in the upper 80s (thank you, ocean!) or sometimes 90s, but our very low humidity makes the air feel dry (thank you, desert!). Rooms are cooled by fans, and insulated by naturally thick masonry walls. All rooms also have air conditioners. Our women's and men's health centers, indoor gyms, Main Lounge and Mercado (gift shop) are air-conditioned.