Alisal Ranch just outside Solvang is known for its dewy green hillsides, working ranch and exquisite dining. But the property also offers a wellness retreat, which invites guests to find their center in yoga and the center of a fresh-baked cinnamon roll at the daily breakfast spread. Three days of feeling good are planned out for visitors, who enjoy morning and evening yoga sessions, horseback riding, hiking, and acupuncture. Spa experiences like specialty massages and facials are also available. Many people are familiar with the coordinated stretching of yoga and the thin needles used to release tension through acupuncture, but a certain Chinese medicine practice was a new experience to many at the September retreat.

“Ear seeds are an ancient method of acupressure,” explained Sherrie Matthews, the licensed acupuncturist on hand for wellness retreat sessions. “These little 24 carrot gold ‘seeds’ are pressed against the desired pressure point to release stress.”

Sherrie used a diagram of an ear to demonstrate which areas correlated to health foci like anxiety, back pain, nausea and other ailments. With what looked like gold studded earrings adorning their lobes, the participants listened in while drinking their fresh-pressed green juices. 

“I have three kids, so it’s nice just to be in a quiet room,” said Makenzie, a Santa Barbara woman visiting with her sister. “My husband just did a boys’ trip so when I saw this come up, I said ‘my turn!’” 

Following the therapeutic experience of ear seeds, some chose to follow up with a guided hike through the ranch’s sprawling 10,500 acres of lush greenery and landscape views. “From this point, you can see that bald spot over there in the trees,” said Alisal Marketing and Communications Manager Lia Carhartt. “That was President Reagan’s helipad.” Couples paused at the lookout for a photo commemorating their 3-mile journey. 

A hike worked up an appetite for many, who flocked to the Ranch Room for a meal prepared by esteemed Executive Chef Erik Sandven and crew. The seasonal menu includes a rotating catch-of-the-day, wagyu burger, prime rib, pastas and farm-fresh salads and soup. A novel sized menu of wine, beer and cocktails is included in the experience. A stone fruit and burrata salad, corn chowder, stone crab pasta and seasonal orecchiette, and seasonal green pasta with fresh peas graced one table, where an apple and rhubarb cobbler topped with a scoop of ice cream was served for dessert. The Ranch sources ingredients locally from its own campus, as well as producers like Sea Stephanie Fish, Solvang Spice Market, Stepladder Creamery, Cattaneo Bros. and others familiar to San Luis Obispo County residents.

Those who opted for an early dinner may find themselves spending more time in child’s pose at the sunset yoga on the lawn. A refreshing session of revitalizing yoga commences on the lawn facing the golf course. The picturesque view is met with the soothing sounds of birds cawing and wind running through the branches of the trees overhead. After a full day of self-care, this is the final moment of release. “It’s about being honest with ourselves about what our bodies are feeling in this moment,” the instructor said to the group of yogis. “This is an opportunity to connect and reflect.”

A bottle of wine awaited each guest in the minifridge of their room, where they might opt to turn down early for a night of good sleep before yoga and breakfast in the morning. But a campfire was an alluring alternative for others, like Grant and Emma who were visiting from Los Angeles. “It’s just really nice to get away from the city,” said Grant. “It’s quiet here.”

Other wellness retreat dates are available on the Alisal Ranch website, as well as getaways like WildWonder for female artisans, the Unbridled Retreat for horse riding enthusiasts, and BBQ Bootcamp for those who come to eat.