If you are like me, you spend your days running between work, school, basketball practice, gymnastics, and the grocery store, while hoping you will find time to squeeze in a workout for yourself. Maybe your daily details differ a bit, but I think many of us live our lives on the go. Trying to spend quality time as a family without the distractions of our hectic lives (and electronic devices that kids today seem to be glued to!) can seem nearly impossible.
The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, located in Solvang, California, has been helping families reconnect and make lasting memories for decades. Recently, my family and I were invited to experience what the Alisal is all about. Through decades of tradition, the Alisal is a place for families to slow down, reconnect, and maybe take a step back in time.
As we spent our time here, one thing became very clear. Both the people of the Alisal and the guests love this place. I think we may have been the only first-time guests while we were there. This is a place that people visit year after year - because they love it. The Alisal has taught people to disconnect to reconnect.
When we first arrived, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the property. The Santa Ynez region is beautiful and the resort has embraced all that it has to offer. Located on 10,000 acres, there’s plenty of room to explore, roam, and unwind. The Alisal is set up to offer you both organized activities that you can join when interested and self-sustaining activities that you can partake in at your leisure.
Since we were visiting during the spring, the resort had a moderate amount of scheduled activities happening to keep us “Spring Breakers” entertained. It was plenty to keep us busy, but in the summer months, the Alisal really ups the ante and increases the daily options for activities.
Being that it is a ranch, one “must-do” is horseback riding. There are many different rides to choose from throughout the week and they do a great job of catering to all riding levels, even offering a first time rider safety talk. In addition to traditional rides, be sure to sign up for the lunch ride. The lunch ride includes a ride to Alisal Lake where the staff prepares a delicious traditional BBQ feast. This was my daughter’s favorite part of our trip. Plus, the barn is home to more than just horses at the Alisal. We had a great time feeding and grooming the animals and watching the daily egg gathering.
One of my favorite events during our stay was the breakfast ride. You can choose to go by horse or by hay wagon and head out to the Old Adobe to enjoy a delicious breakfast cooked fresh on the ranch. While chowing down on yummy pancakes, we enjoyed live music, storytelling, and a campfire. Plus we watched the biggest pancake I have ever seen being made!
In addition to trail riding, the Alisal has pretty much everything you could imagine to create family fun - two golf courses, tennis courts, a swimming pool, basketball court, volleyball court, pool table, ping pong, arts and crafts room, bicycles for rent - and those are just a few! Try your hand at archery or firing an air rifle, fish at Alisal Lake or grab a boxed lunch and go for a hike on one of the many local trails.
Although things wind down in the evenings on the ranch, the Alisal activities team has a fun event planned for each night after dinner. We really enjoyed the magician who was not only talented but also pretty darn funny. Plan on enjoying an evening of s’mores, family bingo, movie nights, and of course, country line dancing while hanging out on the ranch.
There are many options regarding room choice with accommodations available for two to five people. Studios, which are like standard hotel rooms, are located throughout the property, as are the larger suites which are an excellent choice for families. The suites provide a two-room setup, giving families a bit more space and privacy. Some offer more than one bathroom, which can be a perk when traveling as a family.
While room pricing can seem expensive for some accommodations with certain packages, it is important to remember that the Alisal offers a modified American meal plan with all rooms. By doing so, breakfast and dinner (for two) are included in the rate. And don’t worry, these aren’t your average “continental breakfasts.” Each morning you can expect a full hot buffet and fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and more. If the buffet isn’t your thing, there is a full menu as well. Can’t decide? Don’t worry, you can choose the buffet and they will still bring you items off the menu if you are craving something that is not being offered at the buffet that day.
Dinners at the Alisal are a big part of the tradition that makes the Alisal what it is today. For decades it has been tradition to dress up for dinner, which is a fine dining experience. Men and boys over the age of 16 are required to wear a sport coat and women are asked to dress accordingly. Don’t worry if you forgot your sport coat at home -- they’ve got you covered!
These dinners are a great contrast to your day on the ranch. After a busy, sunny, and dusty day enjoying the activities, it is fun to get cleaned up and enjoy a nice meal (that someone else prepares!) as a family. Each family or group of guests is assigned their own table for the duration of their stay. This way you can come and go to dinner as you please. No need for reservations and no need to rush to dinner. It also gives you a chance to meet some of the families who are seated around you. In fact, seated next to us during our stay was a woman I had gone to high school with and hadn’t seen since graduation day!
Being a girl from the L.A. area, I’m not all that used to strangers socializing. Even while waiting for a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop, everyone has their eyes on their phone. No one really chats anymore. It was so refreshing to see everyone coming together and spending time together -- both with their own families and also as groups of guests on vacation. We met people from everywhere -- California, Texas, even Germany! I also loved seeing people’s passion for this place. Many of these families come back year after year. It’s an annual adventure that both adults and kids look forward to. Many families make this a multi-generational trip, and with so many options for activities, it’s a perfect destination for families of all ages.
