Hang out with the wranglers - the stars of the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort

Hang out with the stars at Alisal Guest Ranch

If you follow my travel writing at Writing Horseback, you’ll know that I am a horse lover. One of my passions is riding horseback, be it on a Fjord horse in Norway or a Quarter Horse in Texas. I love hanging out with the wranglers and talking about great riding experiences. The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in Solvang, California has some wonderful wranglers. They are kind to their horses and fantastic with riders from 10 to 80 years old. As the Alisal is close to Los Angeles, the ranch sees its share of Hollywood celebrities.

When I asked one of the wranglers what it is like to ride with a celebrity, her response surprised me. “They are always pleasant to ride with because they are out of their element,” noted Wrangler Julia Testa. When you take a person, or horse, out of their comfort zone, they tend to pay more attention to the person who knows what they are doing. And these wranglers know what they are doing.

Cast a line in the 100 acre, spring-fed Alisal Lake or wait for an eagle to fly by

If the walls at Alisal Ranch could talk

If the walls of Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort could talk, you’d know that some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities have played backgammon here and gone horseback riding in the hills of the Santa Ynez valley. But the walls can’t talk and that’s a good thing.  At Alisal Guest Ranch, your privacy is respected. With plenty of activities to fit every fitness level, guests may fill their days with archery, golf, (two 18-hole championship courses), tennis and swimming or they might just lounge by the pool or cast a line in the 100-acred spring-fed Alisal Lake to see if a fish bites or wait for a Bald eagle to fly by.  It’s all in a days work at the ranch.

Family reunions at Alisal

From the Alisal Spa to the Alisal Barn Yard, toddlers to teens will be able to keep themselves entertained. One of the highlights of a stay at the Alisal is the Breakfast Ride on horseback (additional fee) to the Old Adobe. Riders from beginners to advanced will saddle up and ride with Alisal wranglers among sycamore trees heavy with Spanish Lace, and enjoy a Western breakfast buffet next to a crackling campfire.

Alisal Ranch specializes in repeat customers.  While waiting for my horse, I chatted with some teenagers who had grown up vacationing at the dude ranch. They were raring to go on this early morning breakfast ride!

Alisal Guest Ranch suites have family-friendly interconnecting rooms

Alisal guest ranch cottages

With 73 guest rooms and suites, decorated in  California ranch design, parents are able to have privacy, while kids bunk in the living room. Interconnecting rooms make Girlfriend Getaways and family reunions possible, while still offering a relaxing environment. In fact, the Alisal subtly creates an unplugged environment. Did I mention that there are no telephones or televisions in the guest cottages? Cell reception is limited at the Alisal. Don’t worry, the library offers big screen tv’s and there is complimentary internet throughout the property AND in the guest rooms for those who are unable to disconnect from the digital world.

Say Ahh to Alisal Spa

After a day of horseback riding, climbing the hills of Santa Barbara County, I was ready for a 60 minute deep tissue massage at The Alisal Spa, ($130.)  Opened in 2008, The 6,000 square foot Alisal Fitness Center and Spa features four treatment rooms, a cardio- weight room and fitness classes from Ab sculpting to Zumba – $15 additional charge for fitness classes.

Insider Tip: Verizon provides good coverage in the immediate vicinity of the Ranch.

Wood-burning fireplace for winter time romance

I stayed in a select suite ($650 per night during my visit, based on two people) that included a ranch breakfast and dinner. All rooms include a wood-burning fireplace, stocked with firewood and a fire starter. Do I really need to confess that I did not have success with my fire? I was even a Campfire girl in my youth! The rooms include daily housekeeping and turndown service, as well as in room coffee maker, refrigerator, iron and board, hair dryer and clock radio.

Check in time 4 p.m.  with noon check out.  Babysitting services available. No pets allowed. Check the website for package deals for the Angler, Cowgirl and Cowboy Boot Camps and Spa Escapes.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Alisal Guest Ranch  on Twitter @AlisalResort and like them on  Facebook.

If You Go:

Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort (805) 688-6411 or (800 ) 4-ALISAL

1054 Alisal Road

Solvang, CA 93463

I was a guest of Alisal Guest Ranch.

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Dine like a cowboy at Alisal Ranch

Things to See and Do in Solvang, CA

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Your international travel budget may be in sorry shape, but that doesn't mean crossing summer vacation plans off your list.  Look to your backyard for summer travel.  The USA has our own crown jewels in our national parks system.    

Think national parks this summer and give extra thought to packaged, all-inclusive, small group family tours that can save money, planning and logistics time and maximize sightseeing opportunities and experiences.

Specializing in family travel, Austin-Lehman Adventures notes that national parks offer both value and the stay-closer-to-home mantra of today’s economy.

"Now’s the time to start planning; early interest in U.S. programs has been surprisingly strong," says Dan Austin, ALA’s co-founder and director. His company was singled out as one of the top 13 outfitters in the world in National Geographic Adventure magazine’s annual "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth" issue.

Here are several national park trips for value-minded families:

Photo courtesy Austin-Lehman1) Yellowstone National Park:

Kids go crazy for: The mineral hot spring-fed pool at Chico Hot Springs Resort where they gather for their own private pizza party while parents have a romantic, adult-only candlelit dinner in the historic dining room.

Photo Courtesy National Park Service2) Yosemite National Park:

Kids go crazy for: Getting misted at Bridalveil Fall. Watching deer and coyotes go about their business in the park.

  Grand Canyon photo by Nancy D. Brown 

3) Grand Canyon National Park:

Kids go crazy for: The cascading waterfalls and Travertine limestone pools of Havasu Creek.

Horses by Nancy D. Brown4) Grand Teton National Park: 

Kids go crazy for: Spotting enormous Bull Moose under towering Tetons. Watching the bucking broncos at the Jackson Hole rodeo.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Cape Arago Lighthouse photo by Nancy D. BrownIt all started with a few innocent tweets on Twitter. Katherine Hoppe, director of promotion & conventions for the Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor Bureau got the beach ball rolling by asking about my interest in Oregon. Our Twitter conversation ended with an invite from Katherine to visit the Southern Oregon coastal community of Coos Bay. Here's what I shared with my Contra Costa Times What a Trip readers about my recent travels from Oregon to Southern California.

Oregon Bound

After leaving the San Francisco rain behind me, it was sunshine and seafood for three glorious days and nights in Oregon. From budget camping to water-side suites, this area of Oregon has something for every price range.

Hidden Gem on the Oregon Coast

The North Bend area has some of the best dune buggy riding in the state. Check out Spinreel Campground for cheap digs on the coast. If gambling and hot tubs with water views are more to your liking, the Mill Hotel has luxury suites, as well as RV parking. I recommend you order the restaurant's crab melt sandwich, you will not be disappointed.

From Golden Falls waterfall hikes to Charleston's Cape Arago Beach Loop drive, outdoor enthusiasts will experience a different coastline than we're used to in California. Bring home some crab and canned Albacore tuna, it's cheaper in Oregon.

Southern California Coastline

Avalon Harbor photo by Nancy D. BrownSpring break families may want to consider Catalina Island before the summer crowds officially arrive. The Catalina Express offer ferry service from Long Beach to the Avalon Island community with tickets available for purchase on-line. Adults will like exploring the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, while the kids will want to ride the golf carts.

A family-friendly suite is available at Aurora Hotel and Spa. Make your reservations now for Hermit Gulch Campground owned by the Santa Catalina Island Company. Keep your eyes peeled for bison. A Hollywood film crew brought over 14 bison for the filming of the "Vanishing American" and left the bison behind. Stop at the Nature Center to watch videos on the local wildlife; it's free.

Further down the coast, teens can experience a llittle bit of th OC in Laguna Beach, California. For tidepooling, check out Moss Point. Victoria Beach is within walking distance of Casa Laguna Inn and Spa if romance and relaxation is what you had in mind. Leave the kids and pets at home for this place. Besides, the innkeepers have a friendly Retriever who is waiting patiently for your attention. Like a seeing eye dog, he will lead you straight to the doggie cookie jar in the front entrance of the Inn where he will remain seated until you give in and reward him with a treat.

Green Hotel in the Napa Valley

Closer to home, the Gaia Hotel and Spa in American Canyon is a certified gren hotel with affordable rates. The March Manager's Special offered internet rates of $65 for Sunday- Thursday. While adults go wine tasting in the Napa Valley, older children can be dropped at nearby Six Flags in Vallejo. With the money you saved on lodging, go for the Ayurvedic Hot Stone massage.

San Francisco Bay the Zeppelin Way

For a truly unique way to experience the San Francisco Bay Area, Airship Ventures has brought the Zeppelin Eureka to the Oakland Airport. I'm the first to admit that this one hour voyage will set your pocketbook back to the tune of $495. If you can afford it, you'll be the first in your neighborhood to say that you have flown over the Golden Gate Bridge and sailed over Alcatraz from a bird's eye view.

Truth be told, I'm afraid of heights. I found this out after I had climbed to the top of Disneland's Swiss Family Robinson tree house (before its current incarnation as Tarzan's Treehouse.) Since my childhood days, I've glided above Napa Valley vineyards in a hot air balloon, taken a helicopter over Hawaii's Waimea Canyon and arrived via floatplane to fish Alaska's mighty rivers. None of these experiences touched off my fear of heights, including the Zeppelin ride. However, I'll not be zip lining in Costa Rica or bungee jumping in New Zealand anytime soon.

Finally, I'm happy to report that I did survive a week long mother/daughter road trip to Southern California to visit colleges during Spring Break. More on that trip later.