Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort

For many years I have wanted to experience Alisal Ranch, and this summer we finally had some free time to do so. Unfortunately, because of what I experienced, I have taken this wish off my list. Before making a reservation, I had some questions which I sent via their email system. After 3 days and no response, I finally called to get answers to my inquiries, at which time I was surprised by how unfriendly the people I spoke with were. It made me quickly realize that I am simply uncompromising when it comes to the ratio of expense to quality of hospitality. I expect them to certainly be equal if I am being charged such a premium as this ranch charges. I ended up finding a lovely cottage with better amenities in the same area, for far less money. Based on some of the reviews here, I think I made a wise decision.

For $ 700 per night:
1. No TV and wi-​fi that barely works.
2. Voices at night (not ghosts but the folks in the adjacent room)
3. A lumpy bed with bed sheets that barely qualify as linen (bring your own sleeping bag).
Not worth $ 700 per night. Maybe $ 200 at best.

Beautiful Place To Stay For A Getaway. Enjoyed Horseback Riding, Walks, & Wonderful Dinners. So Much To Do Here!

Beautiful Dude Ranch. Great for family. Great public spaces for families/​guests to mingle. All meals were delcious and up to par. The service at restaurant, bar, and spa were impeccable. Will be back next year and every year. Can’t wait to come back! The hayride to breakfast buffet on Saturday mornings is super fun for kids and all of the family so make sure to do it during your visit. Thanks Alisal Ranch, can’t wait for next year:)

What a truly amazing place! We had been trying to get a reservation for a weekend that worked with all of our schedules and finally it happened. We just returned home yesterday from a truly spectacular 3 day weekend at the ranch. Horseback riding, air rifles, lake activities, pool, crafts for kids, wide open spaces of just amazing countryside, great food and the best customer service we have had hands down to date. Thank you so much to the barn staff that helped us with all the horseback riding and making my young kids feel comfortable the entire time. A special shout out to Thomas and Katherine as well. We look forward to coming back very soon.

We used to go here every year as a large extended family. I can tell you the food was very good upscale resturant style, however they don’t provide any lunch so you end up overeating breakfast and diners, I would always gain whieght after comming here like eating 2 buffet meals every day your there. The activities are mostly for young children and there is no nightlife except a casino which is a car drive away from you. If you have a bunch of young kids and you don’t mind putting on a few extra ponds go for it. I would like to also mention the rooms are lacking very basic and the beds are crap no airconditioning only fans for thoose going in the summer be prepared it gets real hot there in August. For the cost of the rooms and food and activities I would say it is way overpriced. Many of the activities they charge extra for, over 500 a night in a dorm room like a college kid you would think they could include all activities for free

Spending perfect time here with my friends. Amazing place with peace and rest. Trails are great. 5 star from me !

We had heard about the Alisal Ranch for many years, but finally went up there to celebrate a good friend’s birthday who had gone there 6 previous times. Little did we know what we had been missing.
This is an absolutely fabulous resort from every perspective. Every staff member we met from Toni at reception, to Joanne and Judi at the fitness center, to the meal staff, horse back riding staff, landscapers and housekeeping all seemed to enjoy working there. This created such a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere which is just what we needed for those magical 5 days.
We signed up for the Round Up Vacation package which was one of the most comprehensive and amazing values we have experienced. It included breakfast and dinner (more to come on this), as well as all our favorite activities including unlimited golf at their two great courses, horseback riding including a fabulous breakfast ride, numerous activities including air rifle, archery, yoga, and on and on. There are terrific tennis courts, a basketball court, volleyball, shuffleboard, billiards and ping pong, and a very nice heated pool, as well as a playground area for the kids, and activity room and library. The Fitness Center is terrific.
This is the only resort that shows on its website when there are more children and families present vs. quieter adult times for visits which is a unique and very courteous touch. There are no TV’s or phones in the nicely appointed rooms and suites, so you can truly feel like you have escaped for some badly needed R&R.
Then there is the magnificent food. The breakfasts and dinners were absolutely delicious, and the selections thoughtful and diverse. The four of us agreed the Eggs Benedict were some of the best we’ve ever had with thick Canadian bacon, nice poached eggs and a perfect Hollandaise. The gravy on the biscuits and gravy were impossibly rich, and the other dishes of the highest quality.
Dinners were incredible with vegetarian selections, pristinely prepared seafood dishes including a delicious sea bass and on another night a red curry seafood vol au vent. We had excellent rib eye, skirt steak, lamb, and decadent desserts. One night I couldn’t decide between the savory duck and a seafood dish, so they served me Botha! Remember that breakfast and dinners are included in the RUV package. Cocktails, beer and wine are the only extras you need to pay extra for.
Then there is the horseback riding. We’ve never had such gentle horses. The breakfast ride is memorable, and our friends rode everyday. The staff is very respectful of your riding ability and helps you find the right horse. There is a petting zoo which has such cute animals that both children and adults will enjoy.
My wife and I now have the Alisal Ranch at the top of our list for repeat visits, and we now know why families and couples in the know have returned here year after year and even generation after generation.
We tip our Stetsons to the Alisal.

We have heard about this place for years, usually a «my family has been coming for decades» and were really excited to go. I’m afraid nostalgia may be clouding the judgment of the masses. We’ve stayed at embassy suites that are nicer and this place is 800 a night.
The mattress was at least 5 years old or felt that way, the pool was freezing, and the amenities were out of date. The activities were super fun and we went with a big group which made it enjoyable as we enjoy most anything. The right perspective going in here is important. You’re paying for nostalgia and activities with poor amenities. With that mindset, it’s enjoyable. That said, We will be passing on any return trips.
Ps. The magician they provided was a drunk who was inappropriate to the kids and pocketing beers. Poor form. I found it hilarious but we made sure our kids were nowhere near him.

Do NOT stay here!!! My fiancé and I have stayed at hotels all over the world and we were shocked to find out the rooms do not have air conditioning just plastic fans. The rooms look like motel six and the price to stay here is OUTRAGEOUS! It was $ 750.00 for ONE night. Horseback riding is $ 85.00 per person doesn’t even include it in the resort fee when the rooms look horrible. Also, there is no tv as well. The customer service was terrible. We will never stay here again, save your money. We checked out the next day and stayed at the Four Seasons Resort amazing place and same price! Do not stay here! I never write reviews but I felt that people need to know what this place is like before they spend a lot of money for nothing.

Ok… lot’s to say here. Best best thing, and the reason we booked our family vacation here, is that there are no televisions in the rooms and technology is not prevalent. It feels good to be there, take in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings, enjoy our family, and meet other families just spending time. The kids were active and engaged and delighted all day long, and it was a complete blessing that they had no technological distractions or handicaps.
We had a great time. Lots of outdoor activities. We did archery, air rifles, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, crafts, ping pong, billiards, line dancing, and more. We ate dinner sans kids in the dining room several nights which was nice. The resort has fun dinner plans for the kids most nights as an option (pool party, hay ride, s’mores, etc.). The food was good. They have the American meal plan which is breakfast and dinner included. Lunch on property was their Chuck Wagon café which was typical fare including milk shakes, burgers, sandwiches, and the like.
The kids had tons of activities to do to keep them occupied. Alisal staff planned lots of fun games for the kids — penny dive, scavenger hunt, water balloon toss, frisbee golf, tie dye, and more — which our children loved. Lots of other kids too. Our favorites was archery with Dale and the Rodeo. Bill was a great private riding instructor. One important note is that most activities are an extra charge above room and food plan. They do add up quickly.
The rooms were below expectations, especially given the price we paid. Rustic and campy in the rooms that have not been redecorated. It was centrally located which was nice, but they need upgrading to justify the cost in my mind. Also, we had to move rooms twice (big pain). The second room we had was updated but smaller, but nearly the same price as our first room (they charge a premium for upgraded rooms). They give returning guests their room and dining table so first timers are likely to be bounced around a bit.
All in all it was a great week of family time and activities, but was on the expensive end of vacations.

Our family took a mid-​week trip to solvang just to check this place out. We were not disappointed. Our room was cozy and comfortable, the service was great, the pool and jacuzzi were open even though it was raining. What an experience for my two young boys: riding a horse, petting area, feeding chickens and bunnies, dressing up for dinner. My husband and I will surely be coming back with the boys next year. We are looking forward to being part of the shy ride, rodeo, etc. can’t express how much fun and lovely this experience was.

I’ve been coming here since I was very young, around 7 years old and I love it!
I am a technology junkie, so you’d think I wouldn’t like the fact that there is bad cell service, and no TV in the room but its just the opposite. I love it! You can really spend quality time with your loved ones here.
The rooms are beautiful, as is the ranch and there’s tons of stuff to do. You can golf, ride horses, fish, go antique shopping in Solvang, play tennis, and more! They also have really great food, which is included in your price.
This place is great for families or for a romantic getaway. I can’t recommend it more!

I’ve been coming to Alisal Ranch since I was 2 years old and it gets better every year! This year specifically we arrived on a Friday and left on a Monday.
Day 1: Dinner and Bingo night (I won, woo hoo!)
Day 2: Breakfast Horseback ride (a must), pool time, golf, BBQ night, and Musical Chairs (the adult version gets pretty competitive)
Day 3: Gym, pool time, golf, dinner, no ranch event Sunday nights
Day 4: Breakfast and then we leave
There are many other activities that we didn’t participate in, fishing, rodeo night etc. Definitely a perfect family vacation. My only thing is that I wished there were more healthy food options (cooked sans butter, etc) but I guess splurging is part of being on a vacation.

I would have to say my family’s 7^th vacation at The Alisal was spectacular.
The last time we were there was two years ago and it was so nice to be back. There is something for everyone to do and my husband, son and I were all happy with everything.
Renovations in Process:
— They are working on renovating a lot of the rooms and while we didn’t get to stay in our favorite cabin out by the golf course we might get to reserve it next year. They added a sliding glass door and a deck off the back of the unit which will be great. It faces a secluded area covered by Sycamore trees and the tennis courts are nearby.
— They built a new covered seating area in the lawn near the pool. The chairs are plush and comfy and I could have taken a nap in them.
— They built a new covered stage near the Rodeo Arena and many, if not all of the picnic tables are new.
— They may be building a new dock at the lake. Hopefully, El Nino will help with all the water that has been lost due to the drought.
Our Favorite Activities:
— Air Rifles — My hubby has a great time at the range. Every year he builds and installs a new shooting gallery so the guests have new targets to shoot at. It is just air rifles and everyone goes through all the safety aspects before they are allowed to begin. This year he went up a day before to deliver the new shooting gallery and he brought home an older one that needed repairs. We delivered the repaired one the same day we all arrived. All the staff up at the lake are amazing.
— Barn — You will not find better horses to ride than at The Alisal and riding all over the ranch is my absolute favorite thing to do. I asked Katherine what horses were new to ranch that they recommended for advanced riders. Katherine gave me the following names: Pirate, who is a Mexican Ranch horse, Popeye, who was previously owned by a kid and Rango. I am not sure where Rango came from, but he was my favorite out of the three. No kicking is necessary with him and all of his gaits are so smooth. I don’t think I left the saddle as we loped up hills. I made the mistake of telling people about him and then he was in high demand. I decided I didn’t want to be a horse hog, so I just rode him once. One evening I signed up late for a breakfast ride the following day and Tony, the Head Wrangler, told me that all the horses for advanced riders were taken, but he told me I could ride one of the horses they use for barrel racing named Granite. He was amazing! I loved him so much I asked to be signed up for him again and Tony didn’t mind because he knew I would take care of him. Horse lovers know fellow horse lovers. I really hope I get to ride Granite again.
— Teen Activities — My son had a blast this time hanging out with the rest of the teenagers staying at the ranch. He has gotten to know most of them over the past eight years that we’ve been going there because once you reserve a week you are guaranteed that same slot for the following year. A lot of the people we know checked in the same day and we barely saw my son the whole time we were there. He was either riding horses with his friends, going to supervised activities with Ranch councelors or dining with them. Note: You normally get assigned a table in the dining room, but you can make special requests at the Lake BBQ, Rodeo BBQ or sometimes in the main dining rooms.
There are so many activities and I can guarantee you won’t be bored. You may have to split up from your family members like I do, but it’s really easy to meet others with similar interests. I have a group of ladies and a couple guys that love to ride and I usually end up riding with them.

Most relaxing place in the world! I can’t say enough great things about the service, view, activities, family-​friendly atmosphere and, well, everything.
5-​star luxury meets dude ranch. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Loved our family stay there this past weekend. I heard it was fully booked while we were there, but with the number of different activities or just to relax, it never felt crowded.
It may not be for all, but I really liked the simple quaintness of the rooms. Big enough to have your own privacy, but not trying to be too fancy.
Great kudos to the professional, friendly staff which really made our stay so much better. I can see why some people come back year after year. We will definitely be back.

Had the best weekend getaway with my husband here. We had a wonderful stay and had an above and beyond service and experience here. They even upgraded us to a 2 bedroom suite which was recently beautifully renovated. Thank you everyone for making our experience so marvelous and we are sure to be back many times in the future!

We stay here every year in the Fall, my entire family (25 – 30 people). We usually reserved the entire cottage row in the entry to the Ranch. We’ve been doing this vacation for as long as I can remember and couldn’t imagine not doing it each and every year!
They truly have something for everyone, golfing (2 courses), fishing, horseback riding, archery, pool & spa, fitness center and full service spa! The list goes on and on…
They’ve got a ton of menu items in the dining room each night and the food is usually pretty good. We usually bring our own wine because we are really geeky about our wine, but they do have a good selection of local wines too!
The breakfast is awesome too, but the breakfast hayride is even better! Don’t miss this, it’s really fun and you get the true ranch style breakfast ride.
I have so many great memories of this place and they still haven’t disappointed.
I will try to write a separate review about the golf course too!
MY GO-​TO DISH: California Omelette with extra salsa for breakfast and usually the steak or lamb for dinner

All of these reviews are upsetting to read. I have been coming to the Alisal for 15 years, and have grown to have an Alisal family that I absolutely love– that includes the families we’ve become close with, the wranglers like Tony, Kay and Wendy, and the wait staff like Vince who just got engaged! The staff here is incredible; the horse back riding is beautiful and taught by very trained people. The breakfast rides have these amazing circular pancakes, and the dinner is spectacular (I recommend the oatmeal pie for dessert!)
Yes, the décor is not great, but it is imitating a cowboy-​rustic feel. I have never had a problem with it– I have stayed in many fancy places and anything much fancier than what they have now would be weird. Some things could be updated, but I also like that it all stays the same, comforting, familiar and like home every year. Also, a few years ago they built a gym and spa! There is truly no reason to leave the ranch now, other than to go wine tasting or find some better lunch food (Chuckwagon Grill is the one part of the food service that is not spectacular)
So, I suppose there are a couple of cons but they have never detracted from my time at Alisal. I sit at dinner every night with my family and 4 other families– our Alisal family is much bigger than my own! The people, the activities, and the way Alisal always feels like this fun, active, incredible home makes the experience so worth it.
I love being here. I can’t wait to come here with my kids (I’m currently only 22) when I’m older, and I know the people of my week will come too because this is the sort of place you save up the cash to come to. It’s perfect for every age, and people do such a variety of things. Two friends of mine wake up at least 3 times a week to go fishing at 5am at the lake!!! Another barely ever comes to the pool and just sits on the porch near his house on the entrance drive, loving the view. Another friend who couldn’t be at Alisal this year posted a Facebook status a few weeks ago while we were all there saying how much he missed it and tagged over 20 people because that’s the kind of close place this is. This place is incredible, and a vacation I will hopefully never miss.