California Outdoor Properties California Outdoor Properties is one of the largest, farm, ranch, and recreational private real estate companies in California. We are not your typical real estate agents. We are doing something we love! We understand land. We enjoy the outdoors. We hunt, fish, raise cattle, and grow crops. We believe in the old west philosophy where a handshake is your word. Our success is based on our strong work ethic and our knowledge and love for the land.

To provide the same great customer service for our farm, ranch, recreational property, and luxury estate clients in Nevada, we expanded into the Silver State. << The Land Report has named us one of America’s Best Brokerages for the past eight years.

About Sandy
Sandy Ballou has led an exciting life of various professions, grounded by his respect and belief in agriculture and the benefits of an outdoor lifestyle. Growing up horseback Sandy incorporated his love of the outdoors in every step of life. While attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Sandy would leave for Wyoming the day school got out every year to work at the R Lazy S Ranch and returned the day before school began.

After college, Sandy returned to The Thacher School, where he had also completed a year long internship to teach students horsemanship and packing. Following Thacher he spent the next eight years in Oregon working as a fresh produce shipper, packer and broker. In 1997, Sandy and his family returned to Grass Valley, California, and bought a portion of his grandfather’s ranch. Along with his wife Sarah, Sandy started a boarding and training facility that Sarah still operates. Several years later, Sandy purchased the local saddle shop and continues to run Sierra Saddlery and Farrier Supply.

Sandy has received gubernatorial appointments from both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gov. Edmond G. Brown to serve on the 17th District Agricultural Association fair board where Sandy is currently chairman. Sandy is also a member of Nevada County Farm Bureau where he served on the board of directors for 9 years and served 2 years as president.

Sandy continues to enjoy training horses, running a few cows, and hunting and fishing as time allows. Sandy is an advocate of the outdoor lifestyle believing that the best lessons in life are taught by animals, dirt and nature.