The Pfeiffer family built the first home in Sycamore Canyon near the coast in the winter of 1869. Micheal and Barbara Laquet Pfeiffer were on their way to the south coast of Big Sur when they were forced to stop for the season in Sycamore Canyon. They liked the area so much they decided against moving south again the following spring. Their eight children married and lived in the area for several generations. The family established the Pfeiffer Ranch Resort at their home in 1910. An Esslen midden site is near their home.
