Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort

Since 1946 this 10,000-acre ranch has been popular with celebrities and plain folk alike. The many activities here include horseback riding, tennis, golf, and archery, and you can boat and fish in the resort's 100-acre spring-fed lake. You can also just lounge by the pool or book a treatment at the day spa. The ranch-style rooms and suites come with garden views, covered porches, high-beam ceilings, and wood-burning fireplaces, and the decor incorporates Spanish-tile accents and fine Western art. A jacket is required at the nightly dinners, which are included in the room rate. The rooms have no phones or TVs, but the property has free Wi-Fi and good cell-phone connections.