COST: $$$$
<p>Open since 1946, this cattle ranch is just a half-hour north of Santa Barbara, in the dry, rolling wine country of the Santa Ynez Valley. The 73 cottages have wood-burning fireplaces, but no phones or TV's. Try to snag one with a porch.</p> <p><strong>COULD BE A CAREER PATH</strong> Kids can gather freshly laid eggs at the petting zoo and learn to groom a pony. The ranch has more than 100 horses and maintains 50 miles of trails, which wind among groves of oak and sycamore.</p> <p><strong>PREFER A TIN CUP TO A STIRRUP?</strong> There are two 18-hole golf courses (if you're lucky you'll spot Kevin Costner) as well as seven tennis courts, and fishing and boating on a 100-acre spring-fed lake.</p> <p><strong>EXCUSE TO BUY A STRING TIE </strong>Men must wear dinner jackets in the Ranch Room at night.</p> <p><strong>ANOTHER EXCUSE </strong>At the Wednesday rodeo, wranglers show off their calf-roping, quick-drawing, and barrel-racing expertise. Then there's a barbecue and peppy line dancing. </p>
AS FEATURED IN...
From Food & Wine , MAY 2004
Quarter horses, cattle and cowboys roam the grassy hills surrounding this working ranch. There's tennis and golf; the charming guest cottages have vaulted beamed ceilings, fireplaces and porches overlooking the wooded gardens, but no phones or TVs....MORE>>
Last updated May 2004





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