Archive for the ‘Alisal’ Category

Want to connect to your inner cowgirl? If you’ve dreamed of roaming the range but are a bit camp shy, we’ve got the perfect place for you. Say “howdy” to Alisal Ranch and Resort, a luxury dude ranch and resort in the heart of beautiful Santa Ynez. If “roughing it” means spa treatments, plush accommodations, a gorgeous setting and a bundle of first class amenities, then this is your spot. In fact, the working cattle ranch has been welcoming guests since 1946, providing city folk the romance and majesty of the “old west.”

Recommended Resort:  Alisal Ranch and Resort. There are 73 guest rooms at Alisal, from studios to spacious one bedrooms. The staff here wants you to let go of the daily grind, so there are no telephones and no TVs. Of course the reception area will host a needed phone call, but cell phone reception is limited at best here. Larger suites feature a wood burning fireplace, high-beamed ceilings, a wet bar, refrigerator and plenty of Western-themed art.

Check In:  1054 Alisal Road in Solvang. 800-4-ALISAL, alisal.com

Check Out:  The Fitness Center. The breathtaking Santa Ynez Valley will inspire deep, healthy breaths upon arrival, but why not kick the relaxation up a notch with a treatment at the Alisal spa. The ranch-style interior is surprisingly soothing and the treatments superior. One of our favorites is the Happy Hour, designed to satisfy the thirst of the driest skin. Enjoy a refreshing body scrub from their ancient Sea Bed mineral salt and oil blends; Margarita, Grapefruit, Daiquiri, Lavender Tangerine or Citrus Mint. The invigorating exfoliation is followed by a cleansing rinse. As you melt into peaceful relaxation, your treatment is completed with a back, neck and shoulder massage.

Don’t Miss:  The Activities. There’s so much to do at Alisal, you’ll have no trouble planning a full itinerary. At the top of the list is horseback riding, a journey that begins at dawn and takes you along the 50 miles of trails circling magnificent hills and sycamore groves. Golfers will enjoy two 18-hole championship golf courses—the par 72, 6,500-yard Ranch Course and the par 72, 6,800-yard River Course with four lakes—both with impeccably manicured fairways and greens with spectacular panoramic views of the Santa Ynez River and nearby Santa Ynez Mountains. There’s also bird watching, boating and fishing at the lake, and a charming barn full of goats, calves and sheep.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Alisal Ranch and Resort.

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