California Dude Ranches

Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort brings to life the spirit of the West in their rustic but upscale 10,000-acre working cattle ranch snuggled in California's beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.

Only half an hour’s drive from Santa Barbara, the resort is a world away from the modern fast-paced life with 50 miles of horseback riding trails, two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses, a 100-acre spring-fed lake, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a spa.

The rustic but luxurious accommodation includes wood-burning fireplaces, Western-style art and furnishings, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges.

There is a gourmet restaurant on site. Minutes away from the ranch, guests can visit over 75 renowned vineyards and wineries and the charming Danish village of Solvang.

1054 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463, Phone: 805-693-4208

The Bar SZ Ranch is perfect for those who would like to experience the life their ancestors lived hundreds of years ago. In this 660-acre real working family ranch only a few miles from Pinnacles National Park, guests get the opportunity to try roping cattle, feed animals in the morning and evening, and enjoy hayrides, archery, creek walking, and hiking. For those who enjoy more activities, there is horseback riding, skeet, and trap shooting. In the evening, when the sun goes down, just as any rancher would do, the guests sit around the campfire, enjoy grilling meat on the wood BBQ, watch a movie outdoors, spend some time stargazing or line dancing, and much more. The accommodation is rustic and facilities include two showers, a potty, a wash station, and a camp kitchen with stove, oven and, microwave.

1989 Old Hernandez Rd, Paicines, CA 95043, Phone: 831-201-2593

Circle Bar B Guest Ranch & Stables is a one-of-a-kind 1,100-acre dude ranch in Los Padres National Forest, less than a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles and 25 minutes from Santa Barbara and scenic Santa Ynez wine country. Surrounded by the majesty of California’s Central Coast, guests enjoy horseback riding, a full-service spa, true home-style dining, and much more. The rustic lodging includes Western-style rooms with wet bars with mini-fridges and a shared deck. Private cabins have their own porches and cozy wood-burning stoves. The rustic-chic cottages offer more space with a separate living area with hardwood floors and satellite TV. The ranch also has two-story houses with stone fireplaces. The guests enjoy complimentary meals and a well-stocked bar, a live dinner theatre, an outdoor pool, a games room, and a library. Horseback riding can be arranged for a surcharge.

1800 Refugio Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, Phone: 805-968-1113

Located on the banks of the Sacramento River, near Shasta Lake and north of Redding in Northern California, Coram Ranch is a 40-acre family ranch established in 1998. The charming guest ranch has five homes with large yards. It is a perfect rustic retreat for families with plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, or playing basketball, horseshoes, or bocce ball. There is also an indoor game room. There is a large kitchen and dining room where guests can prepare meals and dine together with the whole group or family. Some of the homes have private kitchens too. The ranch is a perfect place for family reunions, company retreats, and other group gatherings. Each group gets the entire ranch, no sharing with other guests. The ranch can sleep 46 people.

14251 Coram Rd, Redding, CA 96001, Phone: 530-275-5510

Greenhorn Ranch is a genuine 600-acre working dude ranch in California’s Lost Sierra. With 60 horses, riding and taking care of the horses are the main activities. The ranch provides its guests a true ranch experience, where cowboy living is still the way of life. They will work and eat together with wranglers and greenhorns, who will teach the guests how to ride a horse or improve the skills of those who are already comfortable in the saddle. The accommodation in rustic cabins and rooms is cozy and comfortable. Besides horseback riding on the miles of scenic trails, guests enjoy family-style dining, a fun saloon with line dancing in the evening, swimming in the heated pool, fishing, and hiking.

2116 Greenhorn Ranch Rd, Quincy, CA 95971, Phone: 530-283-0930

Hunewill Guest Ranch is a 26,000-acre historic ranch founded in 1861 and located on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains next to Yosemite National Park. Hunewill is a working cattle and guest ranch with 1,200 head of cattle, 190 horses, and an assortment of goats, llamas, and sheep. Horseback riding on their well-trained horses through scenic mountain trails surrounded by old forests and a vast expanse of lush green meadows provides life-long memories. The guest participate in all the activities of a traditional ranch in the American West. There are special cattle events featured during the year, such as the Big Fall Cattle Gather and the traditional fall cattle drive to their winter ranch in Nevada. The home-style meals are served in the dining room of the Victorian ranch house and the lodging is provided in rustic but comfortable cabins.

1110 Hunewill Ranch Rd, Bridgeport, CA 93517, Phone: 760-932-7710

Knob Hill Ranch is a dude ranch and serene desert retreat located about a mile and a half from Black Rock Canyon, at the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Horseback riding through the beautiful Yucca Valley, the Mojave Desert, and Joshua Tree Park on well-trained horses is the main activity on the ranch. They offer a range of trail rides of different lengths, to different destinations, and at different times depending on the season. Guests who want to stay overnight can rent their charming one-bedroom guest house with spectacular views of the mountains and the desert. The house has a queen-sized bed, living room with two sleeper couches, dining area, fully equipped kitchen, large bathroom with shower, and spacious outdoor patio with dining table and chairs.

57840 Cortez Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, Phone: 760-333-1771