CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing these photos on a mobile device
At 7 a.m. on a typical Monday morning, I’m usually madly packing my kindergartner’s lunch and slamming down some coffee. But on this particular day, my decision making is centered around something quite different: boot branding, farm animal feeding and “jingling the horses.”
I’m at the Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang, a golf resort-meets-dude ranch that first opened in 1946. The historic property may have been doing this gig for quite some time, but it’s a perfect example of the rising experiential travel trend. These days, an increasing number of travelers want more than mimosas and pool time. They crave memorable experiences and the feeling of having learned something new — combined with luxe comfort.
There is plenty to learn and do at the Alisal. You can ride horses, play golf, hike, bike, or swim in the pool or lake. Gourmet meals are included along with the Pendleton-clad western-themed lodging. And the ranch offers several distinctive packages that deepen the dude ranch experience.
The Alisal’s biannual BBQ Bootcamp, for example, is led by grill master Frank Ostini, who focuses on Santa Maria-style barbecue with grilling tips, spice-blending workshops, wine pairing and, of course, lots of eating and drinking. The Angler’s Paradise package sends fishermen off with guides for fly-fishing sessions and boat trips at the property’s 100-acre spring-fed lake. You’ll learn about traditional spinning tackle and have a chance to catch a few northern strain largemouth bass.
We’ve opted for the Sip, Saddle and Spa, the perfect gateway experience for anyone looking for a mix of adventure, indulgence and regional exploration. A hands-on cattle and equestrian focus is the theme here, with the opportunity to take roping lessons, work a cattle drive or take any number of backcountry trail rides. Hence, the jingling — or round-up — of horses for the day.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, breakfast rides take guests to an old adobe, where the ranch breakfast of your dreams awaits, along with cowboy poetry and giant flapjacks. And there’s a day of complimentary wine tasting at any of the more than 100 local wineries — we made it to three — complete with a gourmet picnic lunch. Our favorite? The sauvignon blanc at Santa Maria’s Foxen Vineyard, where the original tasting room, known as “The Shack,” is housed in a blacksmith shop that dates back to the 1860s.
Down the coast in Orange County, you’ll find another wonderful experiential option tucked in a canyon near the ocean. The Ranch at Laguna Beach also has a golf course, as well as a spa and restaurant, and all sorts of extracurricular activities. What the Alisal is to high-end dude ranches, the Ranch at Laguna Beach is to high-end California ecolodges. It’s one of National Geographic’s top 50 unique lodges of the world.
A major renovation and new ownership in 2014 has focused attention on environmental awareness and sustainability. A biologist, for example, consults on all landscaping decisions, with an eye towards creek conservation, low water use and non-invasive species.
But the behind-the-scenes environmentalism is just icing on the cake.The self-styled “Orange County version of Yosemite” offers a bevy of activities as part of your stay. You can start your Saturday with a “Rise & Shine” stretch session at the pond pool, for example, then take in a birds of prey interactive presentation at the OC Birds of Prey Center. There are wellness programs, couples cooking classes and dolphin safaris. Pick up a map for the property’s hiking trails at the front desk, then head off on the Valido Trail with its spectacular sunrise views — if you can get yourself up there in time.
The whole family can drop in for a golf clinic at the pro shop. There’s a Junior Explorers program, too. Then end the day with guided stargazing or cozy up on the main porch for “Campfire & Cocktails.”
As for the actual Yosemite, book some time at Tenaya Lodge in the Sierra National Forest. It’s two miles from the National Park’s southern entrance, but with a spa, restaurants and 75-acre spread, Tenaya is a destination all on its own. There are multiple pools and hot tubs, guided nature hikes, archery grounds, a climbing wall and more than a dozen recreational possibilities.
It’s another cool spot, in other words, for family adventure and creature comforts, which is really what we all secretly desire. A cushy basecamp to rest and rejuvenate after a full day of fun.
If You Go
Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort: Rooms start at $354 per night. 1054 Alisal Road, Solvang; www.alisal.com
The Ranch at Laguna Beach: Rooms start at $328. 31106 Highway 1, Laguna Beach; www.ranchlb.com
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite: Rooms start at $304. 1122 Highway 41, Fish Camp; www.tenayalodge.com
Seven more options:
California: Marble Mountain Guest Ranch in Somes Bar; www.marblemountainranch.com/
Arizona: Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson; www.tanqueverderanch.com
Colorado: The Home Ranch, Clark; www.homeranch.com
Colorado: Dunton Hot Springs, Dunton; http://duntonhotsprings.com
Wyoming: Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga; www.brushcreekranch.com
Montana: The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg; www.theranchatrockcreek.com
Montana: Triple Creek Ranch, Darby; www.triplecreekranch.com