“For women who really love to ride!”

Welcome to Women of the Rancho at Alisal Ranch, located in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley. This horseback riding and wellness retreat is designed to help you connect with nature, horses, and like-minded women, all while practicing mindful living.

Led by Janet Solie, PA, MS, who has over seven years of experience leading wellness and riding retreats, Women of the Rancho offers a variety of activities including trail riding, nature viewing, horsemanship class, and an obstacle course. There are also opportunities for yoga, meditation, and spa treatments.

Our schedule is designed to provide downtime for relaxation between horse activities, with lunch on your own either at the ranch or in town. Each evening begins with a cocktail hour followed by a group dinner and a closing ceremony on the final night.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, we have trail rides for all levels, our retreat is structured to build lasting friendships and provide a much-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Join us for our opening ceremony where you can tell us about yourself and why you decided to join us. Over four days and three nights, we become a small herd protecting and looking out for each other. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Coaching & Wellness 

Women of the Rancho offers a unique offering with private wellness coaching from Janet prior to your arrival at the Alisal Ranch. About 30 days before the retreat, Janet, your wellness coach, will reach out to you to schedule a private wellness coaching session. She will send you a Duke University Wellness Assessment to complete, which will assess your wellness goals in seven different areas of your life. These areas include movement, exercise and rest, mind-body connection, physical environment, nutrition, personal and professional development, relationships and communication, and spirituality. The assessment usually takes around an hour to complete.

Once Janet receives your assessment, she will schedule a call with you to review your wellness goals and discuss how to begin making the changes you want. She may also send you additional resources or suggestions. During the call, you will also discuss your riding experience and your expectations for the Women of the Rancho wellness retreat.

Before your arrival, you will receive a welcome email, along with a suggested packing list and contact information for other attendees. Please note that this year’s retreat is limited to the first 15 women who sign up, and there will be a waiting list for any cancellations

Nightly rate includes breakfast, dinner, private coaching session prior to the retreat and all scheduled activities and horseback rides.

The 22 % Ranch Fee both helps offset the cost of various amenities made available to guests of the Alisal Ranch and funds additional compensation to the employees who provide service to our guests. The amenities provided include two branded water canteens, a bottle of wine in each room, Wi-Fi internet access, use of the fitness center, a shuttle to Solvang, bikes, scheduled and seasonal entertainment, tennis court use, fishing bait and tackle, and use of non-motorized boats at Alisal Lake. Part of the Ranch Fee is distributed to our service employees as additional compensation to eliminate the need for tipping at the Ranch.