Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort

River Course at Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort is the more forgiving sibling to its Ranch Course counterpart, yet offers a strategic test routed through the rolling hills of Solvang. Architect Billy Bell Jr.'s design, dating from the mid-1950s, presents a classic parkland experience. Gently contoured fairways unfold amidst mature oaks and sycamores. While lacking the dramatic elevation changes and vistas of its sister course, River boasts a more approachable layout. Shorter in overall length, the course still favors accuracy over sheer power, demanding thoughtful club selection and the ability to shape shots around strategically placed hazards. The par-5s are particularly memorable, rewarding risk-takers with the potential for eagle. Alisal's River Course, though not frequently mentioned among California's elite, offers a solid and enjoyable round that compliments the Ranch Course, ensuring a memorable golf experience for guests of this classic Santa Ynez Valley resort.