She moved to Marina Del Rey, California in 1969 and went into business for herself, providing cabin service crews for corporate jets and special charter flights.

In 1993 they bought the Del Mar Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where she drew upon her background to design and build the golf course.

[12] Upon Paulson's death in 2000, she and his children from his previous marriages disputed over the estate until 2003, at which time she was awarded in the settlement, among other assets, stock in the Country Club.

Not long after their marriage, the couple traveled to New Orleans to rescue pets stranded during the evacuation from Hurricane Katrina and flew them to California and Colorado on a chartered cargo jet.

[15] In 2007, Pickens paid $35 million for a home on the beach in Del Mar; in 2010 she sued the city for ordering her to prune plants that were obstructing her neighbors' view.

[10][12] In July 2016, Pickens, Jenny Craig, and Doug Manchester co-chaired a fundraiser for Donald Trump at the Del Mar Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe.

[24] After the settlement of Paulson's estate, Pickens no longer had colors to race,[8] although she was still part owner of Rock Hard Ten and a few broodmares.

[8] The slaughterhouses were closed due to Congress's prohibiting funds to pay inspectors in the year appropriations bills,[26] but the Pickens worked for a more permanent solution by lobbying Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), which passed in the United States House of Representatives,[27] but not in the Senate (in 2015, the AHSPA was folded into the proposed Safeguard American Food Exports Act).

[31] On November 21, 2008, Pickens was named Person of the Week by ABC News due to her announcement that she would adopt and maintain, with private funds, all 33,000 horses at the sanctuary.

"[34] Also in 2010, Pickens purchased property in Elko County in northeast Nevada; the 14,000 acre Spruce Ranch in the remote Goshute Valley for $2,570,000.

[35] Shortly afterwards, she purchased the Warm Creek Ranch[31] which is located about 25 miles south of Wells, Nevada[36] on Highway 93, adjacent to the northwest boundary of the 508,000 acre BLM Spruce Mountain grazing allotment.

[38] In August 2012, the BLM published the proposal in the Federal Register[39] but in June 2014 the evaluation stalled after scoping found issues that have yet to be resolved.

[44] However, on September 11, 2012, Pickens made reference to plans for a luxury resort called the Mustang Monument: Wild Horse Eco-Resort.

[46] On April 3, 2013, the Elko County Commission approved a liquor license for the venture,[47] and Pickens spent a million dollars on "Safari Tents" or Tee Pees for the guests.