Meet our Team
Stewardship, History & Hospitality
The Bird Ranch at San Luis Creek is the family ranch of husband-and-wife team Julie and Rusty Areias, both born and raised in California’s Central Valley. Their deep connection to the land comes from generations of farming families. Julie’s grandparents were tomato and grape growers, and Rusty’s family worked in the dairy business. Long before they owned the ranch, Rusty’s grandparents even purchased eggs here as children.​
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​All good stories begin with a love story. Julie and Rusty purchased the Bird Ranch in 1997, drawn to its history and potential at a time when many saw it as a teardown. Over the years, they carefully restored the property, honoring its original character while bringing it back to life as a place meant to be lived in and shared.
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Julie brings more than 30 years of experience as an event coordinator and oversees the day-to-day operations of the ranch. A cancer survivor, she is passionate about creating a clean, thoughtful environment and enjoys developing plant-based cleaning products used throughout the property. Together, Julie and Rusty share a love of architecture, antiques, and gathering around good food with family and friends.
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We are proud to collaborate with professionals who share our values of stewardship, hospitality, and attention to detail.
The Bird Ranch is supported by a trusted network of many experienced, women-owned small businesses and preferred vendors, each selected for their professionalism, care, and commitment to meaningful celebrations. This extended team allows us to offer thoughtful guidance while ensuring every gathering feels personal and well-supported.
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​The Ranch also regularly partners with nonprofit organizations to uplift the creative community. Events at The Bird Ranch are guided by a dedicated venue planning team and select planning partners, ensuring each celebration is seamless, intentional, and deeply personal.
Julie Sandino-Areias
Owner & Curator, The Bird Ranch at San Luis Creek
Born and raised in California’s Central Valley, Julie Sandino-Areias brings more than 35 years of experience in event planning, hospitality, and guest experience to The Bird Ranch.
Her approach is rooted in warmth and the belief that meaningful gatherings should feel welcoming the moment people arrive. She personally curated the ranch’s accommodations, blending historic character with warmth and comfort so guests feel at home the moment they arrive.
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Julie is known for her thoughtful oversight and welcoming presence, believing that celebrations are those that feel lived in rather than staged. Through curated experiences in a private historic setting, she creates a relaxed, intimate backdrop for small celebrations, private dinners, and meaningful moments meant to be shared without unnecessary complexity.
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Julie is a proud member of Elopement Pro, a community of leading wedding professionals dedicated to elevated small-scale celebrations.
Rusty Areias
Co-Owner & Steward, The Bird Ranch at San Luis Creek
Rusty Areias brings a lifelong connection to the land and a deep appreciation for the agricultural history of the Central Valley. While neighboring dairy, and with family ties that stretch back generations, with a deep love for the land where his grandparents walked. Rusty brings invaluable expertise and dedication to our team.
Together with his wife, Julie Sandino-Areias, he helps preserve the ranch as a welcoming and serene place for guests to gather and connect.
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Markus Rico & his helper Mellow
Ranch Manager, The Bird Ranch at San Luis Creek
Markus Rico serves as Ranch Manager at The Bird Ranch at San Luis Creek, overseeing the day-to-day care, setup, and operations of the historic ranch property in Central California. With a hands-on approach and deep familiarity with the land and facilities, Markus plays a key role in ensuring the ranch is beautifully prepared for weddings, micro weddings, private celebrations, and special gatherings.
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From arranging ceremony spaces and preparing the historic barn to supporting seamless event flow, Markus brings reliability, craftsmanship, and attention to detail to every occasion. He is also the artisan behind the ranch’s handcrafted farm tables, thoughtfully built to complement the historic setting and enhance gatherings of all sizes.
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Known for his welcoming presence and readiness to assist, Markus helps ensure each celebration unfolds smoothly and that guests feel well supported throughout their time at the ranch.
Lori Cole
Weddings at The Bird Ranch are thoughtfully planned and coordinated by Lori Cole, who serves as our dedicated wedding planner, day-of coordinator, and venue manager. Lori has a love for wedding planning. Her love of creating fresh and unique designs with a touch of the tried-and-true for every client has fueled my 37-year love of weddings and events. She love to help the DIY bride create her vision, as well as assist the clients who just want to show up as the bride and groom, and leave as the Mr. and Mrs. “I am confident that I can handle any obstacle, ranging from the smallest of annoyances, such as a difficult relative, to the largest of tasks, like the joining of religious and cultural traditions in a wedding ceremony, which has enabled me to be successful as a wedding designer, planner, and coordinator.” Whether your wedding is 500+ or a small wedding, Lori’s expertise will make sure your day is flawless. Lori is an amazing florist as well!
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Bernadette Pimentel
Bernie's Mixology Mobile Bartending service is dedicated to providing you with your event your way. Whether you are having a birthday party, wedding, corporate retreat, Bernie’s makes classy look easy as she creates cocktails and pair beverages to your event menu. Bernie provides a customizable bar service EXCEPT for the exception of providing alcohol. She will amaze you and your guests with her unique drink recipes and elegant style. She does it all; from spirits, wines, blends, cordials, crafts, and cocktails. Bernie is safety certified.
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Ruth Esquivel - Photographer
Meet Ruth Esquivel, a mother of five and a talented local photographer. Ruth was the first-person Julie met and the first photographer to take pictures at The Bird Ranch at San Luis Creek. With an exceptional eye for detail and a passion for capturing life's most beautiful moments in nature, Ruth’s dedication to her craft and her ability to capture the essence of each unique celebration make her an invaluable part of our core team. Trust Ruth Esquivel to preserve your special memories whether it is your milestone birthday party or your elopement wedding with elegance and artistry. Ruth has her own studio in Dos Palos, CA.
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