Dude Ranches in California – The Perfect Getaway

Whether you are looking to escape to wine country or cowboy country, the Dude Ranchers’ Association has 6 great dude ranch options to choose from in California! Keep reading to learn all about them.

Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort (Solvang, California)

A secluded jewel tucked into California’s famed Santa Ynez Valley; this 10,000-acre ranch melds the spirit of the Old West with the seductive charms of today’s most relaxing resorts. Drive 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara and you’ll find The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort’s 50 miles of riding trails, 100-acre spring-fed lake, two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, pool, spa, western-themed accommodations, fine dining, and endless ways to unplug and unwind. Just minutes away from the premier guest ranch are more than 75 renowned vineyards and wineries and the charming Danish village of Solvang. Whether it’s a romantic weekend getaway for two, a family reunion, or a corporate retreat, come discover the magic of Alisal. This is far more than just a dude ranch. With a temperate climate year-round and ever-changing seasonal activities, any time of year is the perfect time to visit.

group of people on horses going up a hill

Greenhorn Ranch (Quincy, California)

Greenhorn Ranch is a guest ranch in California’s Lost Sierra. Horseback riding takes center stage on the ranch. A home away from home, Greenhorn Ranch welcomes you as a family. Wranglers and Greenhorns break bread at the same table.

group of guests riding on a trail

Hunewill Circle H Ranch (Bridgeport, California)

Hunewill Guest Ranch is located north of Yosemite National Park in the green, mountainous Bridgeport Valley of California. The Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding is the featured attraction. You’ll love riding your horse through cool lush meadows bordered by timbered peaks.

people on horses crossing over a stream

Marble Mountain Ranch (Somes Bar, California)

The signature all-inclusive “saddle and paddle” or raft and ride vacation joins the superb dining experience and our youth buckaroo program to create the best and most complete family dude ranch vacation. Marble Mountain dude ranch vacations meet the diverse interests and needs of your entire family or group. This ranch has an all-inclusive summit-to-sea experience with breathtaking mountain trail riding, white water rafting, steelhead fly fishing, or jet boat tours to the Pacific Ocean!

white water rafting

Rankin Ranch (Caliente, California)

Rankin Ranch has been a working cattle ranch since 1863. During your stay you will be able to enjoy their tasty Rankin Ranch beef. The guest ranch has been welcoming visitors from around the world for over 55 years. Rankin Ranch is one of the oldest and largest family-owned ranches in California. Six generations of Rankins have lived and worked on our 31,000-acre cattle ranch.

group of guests on horses

V6 Ranch (Parkfield, California)

Nestled in the Cholame Valley, the V6 Ranch envelops 20,000 acres of the most diverse and alluring country in the heart of California. The V6 Ranch sits just down the road from the tiny town of Parkfield, population 18, and is conveniently located just a four-hour drive from Los Angeles and San Francisco. This working cattle ranch allows guests to experience the Cowboy Side of California with authentic Cattle Drives, Cowboy Academies, and spectacularly scenic trail riding.

cattle