Our family trip to Alisal Ranch
A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to take a magical trip north for a weekend at the historic Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang, CA with our families. You probably saw our many instagrams (here, here, and here for example) during the weekend, but we wanted to share a few photos our resident photographer shot while we were enjoying ranch life for a few days.
The property is spectacular, stretching 10,000 acres across the hills and valleys of the Central Coast. Even with clouds and a bit of rain that weekend we were inspired and amazed by the land and the grounds of the resort.
A highlight was definitely the early morning wagon ride to a cowboy breakfast deep in the hills of the property. Our children are still young, but for families with kids 7 and older, you can instead opt for the horseback ride to breakfast which would be spectacular! We were pretty happy with the wagon and thrilled when we arrived to see 50 horses tethered up in front of the adobe kitchen in the middle of nowhere.
Leather fringe chaps? Check!
Biscuits & gravy? Check!
Old time tunes on the guitar? Check!
Completely thrilling to watch the riders come in off the trail. Moments before, we had spotted a bobcat running across the road from the wagon. It’s really pretty wild once you leave the immediate resort.
All of the boys LOVED riding Bullwinkle around the barnyard. And visiting the menagerie of animals kept in the barn. Goats and Brahman cows, and chickens, roosters, ducks, bunnies, bristley boars, giant tortises, and all sorts of other tame friends.
That’s a real tortoise egg! Never seen one before. Who knew they were round?
Again, the scenery was just beautiful. Even in January it was lovely, though it would have been nice to enjoy the pool. Next time!
There were so many amazing activities set up for families. A kid’s craft room, family bingo night, a rec room with all sorts of games, horseshoes (obviously!), animals, hikes, fishing, a lake, archery… the list really goes on. It would be SUCH a perfect place for a multi-generational vacation, Grandparents and Great-grandparents included. There is plenty to do for everyone, of all ages. Kind of like a really awesome summer camp for the whole family.
We would go back in a heartbeat! For information on the hotel and their many offerings, check out their website at Alisal.com.
Alisal Guest Ranch
1054 S. Alisal Rd.
Solvang, CA
(800) 4-ALISAL
All photos by Scott Clark Photo.
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