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.
73 rooms · 2 courses · North America
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
The Ranch Room · River Grill
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.
Resort with loyalty/members club (Signature Club)
Start the full applicationPrivate 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.
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