THE DUDE RANCH LIFE... is intertwined, in many travelers' minds, with the ideas of sunshine, easy days, warm afternoons in the saddle, and a host of activities that are best enjoyed outdoors. This can lead a person to think that dude-ranchery, as a concept, only powers on during the summertime, but once that same person considers how well-suited the Golden State's winters are to such sweet pastimes, the notion of calling upon a ranch when it is still winter takes on a ton of appeal. After all, winter is a bit cozier, with fireplaces and warm beverages come nighttime, but the day? Often brilliant, in the sun department, and only a lighter jacket or sweater is required. Proving this pleasurable point is the historic Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, which has several activities available for those who call upon the Solvang-close tuck-away before the weather fully warms up. Those include...
GROUP TRAIL RIDES, for horse enthusiasts looking to trot with family, friends, and a pro at the lead, and archery, too, that oh-so-classic dude ranch must-do. Another ranch must must come to mind, we'll guess, and if it involves capturing the flag, you'll be cheered: Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort offers this nostalgic game. Arts and crafts, creative beading, owl prowl, boot branding, a guided nature walk, candle making, a hay wagon, and, you betcha, s'mores, are some of the other activities on the wintertime roster at the expansive, room-to-stretch-out property. You can, in fact, invite a little summertime camp retro-style fun into your cooler months, if you feel as though daily life is far too rev'd up and a slower few days is just what your family is feeling at the moment. There is, of course, the fine-dining aspect to Alisal, too, and its spa-based joys, if that's where you're leaning. But for summery haps in the winter, like horse outings, beads, and s'mores? They're on, near Solvang, even in February.
