What is the Difference Between a Wedding at the Ranch vs. Alisal River Terrace?

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort has had their decadent weddings featured in many national publications and highly-regarded wedding blogs.  It has also been the chosen destination wedding spot of many a celebrity over the years.  While there are many locations in Santa Barbara’s wine country that offer gorgeous backdrops for exchanging nuptials, Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort offers something unique:  a variety of location types, exclusivity (more on this in a moment) and the legendary service of a major resort and culinary skills of a world-renowned Executive Chef.  In some cases, Alisal Guest Ranch also offers guests the opportunity to stay at the same location – just steps from the wedding taking place.  Convenience can be such a necessary comfort.

Alisal River Terrace Offers Exceptional Value for the Wine Country Private Event

by Chelsea Elizabeth Photography

One of the biggest mistakes clients make when booking a wedding or private event venue is to  fall in love with the venue so deeply they are not paying attention to the site fee, according to local wedding and event planner Kerry Lee Dickey of Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events.   “What ends up happening later on in the planning process is that suddenly the event client realizes that due to the amount they spent on the site fee (which is often just the rental fee alone and does not include many other necessary items), they don’t have the proper budget for other essentials for the event,” Dickey says.  Items such as proper amount of heaters, in some remote locations, portable VIP restrooms, proper shading on hot days and much more, get neglected because there aren’t enough funds left after spending so much of the budget on the site fee. 

The New Networking: “Sweatworking”

The traditional way of networking has always been rather formal in

Photo from Victoria Freile

nature.  Entertain through hosting a meal, attending a community event, exchanging a business card .  While the traditional way still applies in many instances, a new trend has been emerging and Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is the prime destination spot for this new trend called  “sweatworking”. 

The idea is that groups do not gather for passive get-togethers such as drinks, but that they will bond and build relationships better over workouts, followed by snacks, which fosters more conversation post-workout.

No one knows this better than Certified Yoga Instructor Cori Lassahn of Vineyard Yoga Santa Ynez Valley, who began a concept of teaching yoga in beautiful, epic settings where attendees could relax, renew and reconnect with yoga and delicious wine and food samplings after.  Vineyard Yoga has become one of our area’s hottest activities and Lassahn has also brought this concept to Alisal.

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort provides prime networking and “sweatworking” opportunities: from the traditional (lunch or dinner at Alisal River Grill), to golfing, tennis, the ropes course and team workout games, to horseback riding for guests and group workouts that include yoga, the beautiful weight room or even a specially- designed dance fitness session custom-designed for your group.  Alisal specializes in maximizing the networking experience to provide you and your attendees maximum benefits through unique activities designed to inspire and build long-lasting relationships.

 

 

The Art of Doing “Nothing”: 4 Benefits Found at Alisal

While technology helps us and can bring critical information for progress, health and innovation at lightning speed, it also has another side.  Reports all over the media show how society is attached to their mobile devices and technology more than ever. And more than ever there appears to be a growing correlation between this technological attachment and stress, disease and ironically “detachment” from core values, which are what sustain us as a species to not just survive, but thrive.

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort has provided an environment that allows guests to unplug and thrive for generations.  While this was not its original intent, the gift is that what started off as a natural way of life at Alisal, has evolved into

Looking Back With Appreciation

Ms. Kamashian & Family

Our Alisal family is not just the staff -many of whom have been with us for several generations.  It is also made up of the guests who stay and make lifetime memories as well as the supply partners who help make events and the ranch as a whole roll.  All of these make up

The New Way to “Corporate Event”, Alisal Style

Beautiful weather year-round makes for the perfect backdrop for all types of events at the ranch

Throughout the years, Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort has played host to nation and world-wide leading companies, providing an ambiance  that is truly unique.  Whether it is an executive retreat, incentive program, team-building, or introduction of a new product to your own potential VIP customers, Alisal supports the efforts of corporate event planners with accommodations, events, food and beverage service, hospitality and unique, fun activities while helping to make sure all is on point with the spending plan.

Real Alisal Guest Stories: Fishing at Alisal

Photo Credit: Craig Townsend

Experienced Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort guests know that part of the legendary “Alisal Experience” are the stories with which they leave our property after staying.  More than just great “hospitality’, we realize that every interaction with a guest is a chance to create a memory that will last a lifetime.  That’s a lot of pressure (phew!), but when you

The Alisal Experience | Tennis

Tennis

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With six full-size tennis courts, Alisal provides players of all skill levels a beautiful setting in which to serve and volley. Our tennis pros are on hand to arrange for group or individual lessons, to match players up with other guests or members for practice or competition, and to schedule the occasional friendly tournament.

We offer special summer adult group classes starting in June, as well as introductory classes for children ages 6-14.

We have a full-service tennis shop adjacent to the courts, featuring HEAD racquets for sale or rent, clothing and shoes, racquet stringing and gripping, tennis balls and accessories.  Alisal logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and visors are also available.

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The Alisal Experience | Horseback Riding

Take a Ride Through the Heart of California

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Explore Alisal from an unforgettable vantage point. Ride horses through canyons, shaded hillsides, past grazing cattle and babbling brooks. Our string of 100 horses can accommodate first-time to advanced riders. Small groups are provided personal attention by our experienced wranglers. See below for the variety of rides we offer.

Interview with Head Golf Professional at the Ranch Course at Alisal Dave Hartley

Adored by all and feared by none,  Alisal Ranch Course Head Golf Professional Dave Hartley loves what he does and we are so glad he is on our team.  Have you met Dave?  Do you think you know him?  In this interview, he gets personal.   See how much you may not have known about Dave.