Alisal Ranch
Solvang, CA, United StatesA legendary guest ranch in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley
View All Photos Alisal Ranch
Nestled on 10,500 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, Alisal Ranch is a historic California guest ranch offering world-class golf, horseback riding, and a genuine Western experience. The ranch features two championship 18-hole courses — the River Course and the Ranch Course — winding through sycamore-shaded canyons and rolling hills.
- Two private 18-hole courses on a working 10,500-acre cattle ranch — the Ranch Course reserved exclusively for resort guests
- 100-acre private Alisal Lake stocked for bass and bluegill, with fly fishing, kayaking, and sailing off the dock
- 50+ miles of guided horseback trails threading oak woodland and canyon country
- All-inclusive 'American Plan' means meals, activities, and nightly entertainment are woven into the rate — no nickel-and-diming
- Six tennis and six pickleball courts set against the ranch backdrop, far from the resort-corridor aesthetic of comparable California properties
The Courses
- Ranch Course — 18 holes, par 72, designed by William F. Bell Jr.
- River Course — 18 holes, par 72
River Course · 17 (Par 3)
A deceptively straightforward 123-yard par-3 whose green is encircled by a wrap-around bunker and fronted by water — the kind of short hole that turns a good round into a memorable one, particularly as the Santa Ynez Mountains shift color behind you in the afternoon light.
Restaurants & Bars
- The Ranch Room
- River Grill
On Property
50+ Miles of Horseback Trails
100-Acre Private Lake
Fly Fishing- Kayaking
6 Tennis Courts
6 Pickleball Courts
Spa- Swimming Pool
Children's Programs
March – May, September – November
The Santa Ynez Valley's mild shoulder seasons deliver cool mornings ideal for riding and golf before the summer heat builds in the valley.
The Ranch Course is exclusive to resort guests — it's nearly impossible to play otherwise. Book an early morning horseback ride through the canyon before your round; the trail guides know every inch of the 10,500 acres.
Joining Alisal Ranch
Resort with loyalty/members club (Signature Club). Alisal Ranch is a dude-ranch resort that also operates a 'Signature Club' offering exclusive event access, private parking, culinary programs, and fitness perks to enrolled members. Fees and formal tiers are not publicly disclosed; the club functions alongside standard resort stays.
Membership Categories
- Signature Club
Member Benefits
- Access to exclusive private events (holiday dinners, culinary experiences, creative classes, workshops)
- Signature Club parking spots and decals
- Access to personal training at member rates
- Participation in BBQ Bootcamp, Ranch Cookouts, Winterlight, and other member-only programming
- Access to 2026 activity schedules and daily ranch programming
- Initiation: Not publicly listed
- Annual Dues: Not publicly listed
- How to Join: Inquire with membership office
Membership details → · reservations@alisal.com | (800) 425-4725
Alisal Ranch
Features &
Amenities
Alisal Ranch spans 10,500 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, operating two private 18-hole golf courses and a working cattle-and-horse ranch that guests can access directly from their cottages. The property runs as an all-inclusive resort with dining, riding, and wellness programs rooted in its 1946 founding.
Two Private Championship Golf Courses
The Ranch Course, a Billy Bell Jr. design from 1956, plays 6,550 yards at par 72 through tight fairways wrapped around a dramatic barranca and canopied by mature oaks and sycamores — exclusive to guests and members. The River Course (6,800 yards, par 72, opened 1992) runs along the Santa Ynez River with elevated tee boxes and large, moderately contoured greens, and is open to the public.
Working Ranch Activities
Daily guided two-hour horseback rides traverse the property's open range and oak woodland. Guests also have access to fishing and paddleboard yoga on Alisal Lake, UTV ranch tours across the backcountry, and an annual Rodeo program. The equestrian program operates year-round through Alisal's private stables.
Spa, Wellness, and California Wine Country Dining
The Alisal Ranch Spa offers facials, massage, and body treatments (ANDA Organic and Marine Ultimate Facials run 90 minutes at $245), alongside daily yoga, Pilates, and HIIT classes from the on-site fitness center. Executive Chef Erik Sandven, formerly of The Ritz-Carlton and Pelican Hill, leads a daily-changing seasonal menu across six dining venues, with Sunday complimentary wine tastings drawing from local Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara AVA producers.
Signature
Events
Alisal hosts a rotation of signature culinary and wellness retreats each year, anchored by its outdoor cooking series and the annual WILDWONDER women's retreat.
California Ranch Cookouts
A summer culinary series that brings guest chefs to the ranch for open-fire, outdoor cooking experiences. The 2026 lineup includes Chef Kat Turner (June), Chef Nana Thai (July), and Chefs Claudia Sandoval and Brad Kilgore (August). Dinners are held al fresco on the ranch grounds and are included for in-residence guests.
WILDWONDER Women's Retreat
A multi-day immersive retreat pairing Western ranch traditions with wellness, creative workshops, and guided outdoor programming. The 2026 edition runs September 27 through 30 in the Santa Ynez Valley. The event draws women from across the country and is capped at a limited group size for an intentional, small-group format.
Barbecue University
A hands-on, multi-day barbecue and live-fire cooking intensive led by expert pitmasters and culinary instructors on the ranch property. The 2026 program runs September 7 through 10 and covers technique, cuts, wood selection, and regional BBQ traditions.
One Membership.
Dozens of Destinations.
Your visit to Alisal Ranch is coordinated by the LXV concierge — preferred tee times, dining reservations, room upgrades, and personalized welcome amenities, arranged before you arrive. One of more than 55 properties in the LXV network.
Getting
Here
Alisal Ranch1054 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
Tel: +1 800-425-4725
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
Approximately 32 miles south, 40-minute drive up Highway 101 and through the Santa Ynez Valley. Car rental is the standard option; no scheduled shuttle service from the airport.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Approximately 109 miles south, under 2 hours 15 minutes by car via US-101 North. Practical option for guests connecting through larger hubs with nonstop international service.
Private aircraft can land at Santa Ynez Airport (IZA), roughly 5 miles from the ranch, with a 3,000-foot runway suitable for turboprops and small jets.