Alisal River and Ranch Golf Courses

Two championship 18 holes courses here, the Ranch and the River, just on the south side of Solvang along with an old classic California Resort Hotel and Spa. The Ranch was designed by William Bell in 1956 and is parkland style playing to 6,542 yards, 133 slope, 72.0 course rating from the tips. It's a traditional, old style parkland course with narrow fairways lined by stands of oaks, sycamores and eucalyptus trees with a barranca to play over and through most of the layout. The River is 6830 yards from the Gold tees, and opened in 1992. It was designed by the Hallsey Group, and is routed along the river with tree lined fairways, and a minimal amount of bunkering mostly around the greens with some near the landing areas. Nice setting in the river valley of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The River is a little easier, and wide open than the Ranch course at a 126 slope, and 73.1 course rating from the Gold tees. Both courses are well maintained, the setting is beautiful, isolated, and quiet, a bit on the expensive side for a couple days of golf, and staying at the Resort.