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A legendary luxury working ranch resort in Santa Barbara wine country, with food included, offering authentic western experiences with horseback riding, lake activities, and family entertainment.
Solvang, California, United States
1946
year opened
73
rooms
$
1000
starting rate
45 minutes
from airport
key features
Sleep
2-4 bedroom residences
Outside space
2+ restaurants on site
Meals included
Grass/lawn to play on
Golf
Outdoor pool
Hiking
Horseback riding
Racket sports
Lake, river, or pond
Kids eat free
Kids club (age 4+)
Playground
Kids club (age 5+)
Animal encounters
Bikes
Beach sports
Arcade / Game room
Water sports
Indoor playroom
Connecting rooms
Crib fits in closet or extra bathroom
Eat
2-4 bedroom residences
Outside space
2+ restaurants on site
Meals included
Grass/lawn to play on
Golf
Outdoor pool
Hiking
Horseback riding
Racket sports
Lake, river, or pond
Kids eat free
Kids club (age 4+)
Playground
Kids club (age 5+)
Animal encounters
Bikes
Beach sports
Arcade / Game room
Water sports
Indoor playroom
Connecting rooms
Crib fits in closet or extra bathroom
Play (on land)
2-4 bedroom residences
Outside space
2+ restaurants on site
Meals included
Grass/lawn to play on
Golf
Outdoor pool
Hiking
Horseback riding
Racket sports
Lake, river, or pond
Kids eat free
Kids club (age 4+)
Playground
Kids club (age 5+)
Animal encounters
Bikes
Beach sports
Arcade / Game room
Water sports
Indoor playroom
Connecting rooms
Crib fits in closet or extra bathroom
Play (in the water)
2-4 bedroom residences
Outside space
2+ restaurants on site
Meals included
Grass/lawn to play on
Golf
Outdoor pool
Hiking
Horseback riding
Racket sports
Lake, river, or pond
Kids eat free
Kids club (age 4+)
Playground
Kids club (age 5+)
Animal encounters
Bikes
Beach sports
Arcade / Game room
Water sports
Indoor playroom
Connecting rooms
Crib fits in closet or extra bathroom
Experience it
See what a stay really looks like with kids.
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sleep
- All 73 accommodations feature fireplaces, patios, and western décor with authentic ranch touches. Most have been recently updated.
- Mountain View and Superior Cottages are designed for families; they have a king bedroom, a queen sleeper sofa, murphy bunk beds, and an extra bathroom where you can stash a crib. Your kids will especially love the view of the horse pasture from the Mountain View cottages.
- Smaller families can book a Luxury Studio, Golf View Cottage, or Pete’s Cottage (includes a king bed and at least a twin).
- There are several three-bedroom ranch houses for larger families or multigenerational groups. The houses don’t have kitchens, but you’ll be too busy to cook anyway.
- Rooms intentionally lack TVs and phones — but they do have Wi-Fi.
- The mini-fridge in each room comes stocked with free beverages; if you need milk, they’ll make sure you have it.
- Kids under 6 are free (no increase in your nightly rate to cover them).
play
- Everyone raves about how helpful and friendly the staff is.
- The kids club takes age 4+ and also offers evening sessions; you must reserve in advance.
- Horseback riding is the signature activity, with over 50 miles of trails. Rides are split by skill level, so more experienced riders won’t be stuck walking the whole time.
- Age 4+ can do arena lessons; age 7+ can do trail rides.
- Kids under 7 can do pony rides (no extra charge).
- The petting barn is always a hit. You can also gather your own eggs.
- There’s a private lake with kayaks, paddle boats, and fishing. They’ll shuttle you there (you can’t walk or drive yourself).
- If you need a break from outside, there’s a drop-in arts and craft room (that also has sports equipment and books).
- The heated outdoor pool is open year-round. It's nothing fancy, but gets the job done.
- Other activities families love: nightly bingo, karaoke, lawn games, beach volleyball, movie night, ropes course, hiking... the list goes on.
- They have tennis and pickleball courts onsite; lessons are available for kids.
- Bikes (and helmets) are available to grab and use on the trails or to head into town, but they don’t have bikes for small kids (bring your own). Kids 4'1" and taller can also mountain bike with e-bikes (paid).
- Their concierge team will reach out to you about 45 days before your trip to schedule activities and dinner reservations; get moving once they reach out so you get your preferred times.
eat
- The food is delicious: a full gourmet breakfast buffet and fancy dinner is included in the nightly rate (along with all beverages).
- Breakfast opens at 7am; several days a week there's an option of taking a wagon or horse ride to an outdoor breakfast (a must-do with kids... just wait until they see the giant pancake).
- They are very accommodating of dietary restrictions and kid pickiness.
- Men are required to wear dinner jackets for evening dining in the main restaurant (this has been a ranch tradition since 1946).
- Three nights a week in the summer there’s an option for a more informal BBQ dinner:
- Monday nights: lakeside (must reserve).
- Wednesday nights: after the rodeo (must reserve). You won’t want to miss this night!
- Saturday nights: in the great lawn (don’t need to reserve — this is for all guests).
- If you’re hungry enough for lunch (you might not be), there are casual and sit-down options. Poolside dining is great with kids, or they’ll pack you lunch if you’re off on an adventure.
The details
What room setup does your family need, at minimum?
We're having you search by beds, rather than number and age of kids, because every family sleeps differently.
King/queen bed includes pullout sofas
Kid-size bed includes sofas (not pullout), twin beds, or rollaway beds
Results show rooms that meet or exceed your minimum.
If you move forward with booking, we'll make sure the hotel has an accurate guest count,
King/queen bed includes pullout sofas
Kid-size bed includes sofas (not pullout), twin beds, or rollaway beds
Results show rooms that meet or exceed your minimum.
If you move forward with booking, we'll make sure the hotel has an accurate guest count,
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Must haves
No items found.
Kids Club
Summer youth programs for ages 3-17 (seasonal only); arts and crafts room available year-round (children under 6 need adult supervision); barnyard activities where children help care for animals; no year-round structured kids club program
Pools
Available upon request; contact ranch concierge for arrangements; details on costs and booking requirements not specified in sources
Beach
Babysitting
Activities
Over 50 miles of horseback riding trails; 100-acre spring-fed lake for fishing and boating; two championship golf courses; six tennis courts; archery; mountain biking; hiking through Deer Canyon
Ranch Room formal dining (jackets required); Oak Room bar with cocktails and entertainment; Chuckwagon Grill and Waggin' Tongue Bar; breakfast rides to historic Adobe Camp for flapjacks and cowboy poetry
Travel & transportation
- 45 minutes from Santa Barbara Airport with rental car recommended for families.
- Ranch provides shuttle service to nearby Solvang for shopping and dining.
- Located 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara in Santa Ynez Valley wine country.
- Approximately 3 hours drive from Los Angeles area, 4 hours from San Francisco Bay Area.
- Bikes are provided, but they don't have bikes for young kids.
Leave it at home - they have it!
- Full-sized cribs and mini cribs
- Pack-n-plays
- Highchairs
- Board games
- Books
- Laundry detergent (they have two free laundry facilities)
Ready to Book Your Stay?
Book through us (no additional cost) for access to perks like resort credit, free breakfast, priority for upgrades, early check-in/late check-out (crucial for naps), and price drop tracking.
Stayed here with your kids?
Submit a review so we can share your insights with our community.
If you're a hotel employee and would like us to update any information on this property, email us at help@hotelswithkids.com