It’s time again for the annual Getaway Gang Outing.Keeping with the California, Casino and Great Courses theme, it’s time to pack you beer stein and join us on a Golfing Getaway to the Santa Ynez Valley and Solvang. Solvang is a quaint Dutch town with windmills, shops and plenty of beer gardens. Also of note, for those of you who like to gamble or just relax at a nice resort, right next door in the little town of Santa Ynez is the Chumash Resort Casino and Hotel. In addition to all that, we will be playing two very nice golf courses. Both have been rated 4 stars by Golfweek and are challenging championship courses.

Golf Date: Sunday – April (TBD) Monday – April (TBD)Place: River Golf Course at Alisal Rancho San Marcos Golf CourseFirst Tee Time: 10:00 AM 10:00 AM

Danish ambience: If you take the U.S. 101 coast road south, and turn off at Buellton on to the CA 164, after a few miles you will reach Solvang, the biggest Danish settlement in the United States of America. It was given its name by the Danish-American Corporation in Chicago, who thought the Danish word "solvang" (sunny meadow) was a fitting description of the little town founded in 1911. Tourism flourishes in this little town with the Danish character on the edge of the Santa Ynez mountains. There are houses in the Danish style and four windmills, and visitors can enjoy cakes and pastries made in the Danish manner and sold in several bakeries and patisseries. In the restaurants you can order karbonader and blomkal and hakkelof med løg (egg). Most hotels in the area are decorated in the Danish style with Scandinavian furniture. Hotels on or near main street have such names as Kong Fredrik, Dannebrog, Hamlet, Kronborg and Royal København. A stroll through the little town makes a "velkommen" change.

The River Course at Alisal presents golfers with breathtaking panoramas of the brilliant hues of the foothills and the Santa Ynez Mountains and Valley. The River Course features four lakes and often follows the meandering path of the Santa Ynez River. Gentle mounds define the manicured fairways and bent grass greens are accented by mature live oaks, native sycamores and elderberry trees. At 6,830 yards, the par-72 course is challenging, but not punishing. The strategic placement of a variety of hazards rewards length and accuracy without severely penalizing casual and recreational golfers. The moderate California climate and meticulous maintenance provide excellent playing conditions. Even though it is tree lined, The River Course is not too tight, and is beautifully manicured. In fact, it is very fun course to play. The par-3s are memorable. Hole #9 is 172 yards downhill over a barranca and the 17th is only 123, but the green is almost entirely surrounded by sand. Miss-hit your ball just a little to the right and you will get wet.

Located just 14 miles southeast of Solvang is one of the best courses on the central coast called Rancho San Marcos, a par-71, 18-hole track that meanders through the Santa Ynez Mountains off of Highway154. Built on the San Marcos Ranch that was established in 1804, Rancho is steeped in history, donning 19th-century adobe structures and preserved areas of the Rancho San Marcos Stagecoach trail. One finds that the course is not the only thing traditional about this semi-private club. The service has a touch of that old-school cordiality, with exceptional treatment from the staff at the pro shop. Like any mountain course, there is ample elevation change, which provides for eye-satiating scenery. On the back nine - Rancho's signature side - there are four elevated tees, and in some situations, players are surrounded by dramatic drop offs on all sides. How about that for an interesting tee shot? Any miscue could lead to a double or one of those dreaded "others.“

Here is the plan. There has been another shift in the golf days. When we first started on these outings we used to play on Saturday & Sunday. The two most expensive days to play golf. So, to cut down the costs, I shifted our golf outings to play golf on Sunday and Monday. I have now found it to be significantly cheaper this way. In the case of this trip, each course is less on Monday-Thursday. Lodging is $50 less. So, we are going to try the following: Saturday most likely will be utilized as a travel day. The first day of golf has been scheduled for The River Course at Alisal, on Sunday, with our second day of golf taking place at the Rancho San Marcos Golf Club on Monday. Finally, Tuesday will probably be the return day for most of you.This is not a package deal, so feel free to make your own hotel reservations and stay were you would like.

This year as in the past, group dinners are planned. I have selected two options, The first dinner social will be at the Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Buellton (just a couple miles west of Solvang) on Sunday evening. The second dinner social will be Monday night at The Vineyard House in Santa Ynez (just a couple miles east of Solvang).

If you have any questions, feel free to inquire,Lad MeairsEmail: meairs2@comcast.net (home) or laddin.d.meairs@lmco.com (work)Phones: (925) 978-0170 (home) – (925) 829-8615 ext 330 (work) – (925) 813-2465 (cell)

If you are playing both courses, the total will be $170.00 Mail checks to: Lad Meairs

1254 Mokelumne Court Antioch, CA 94531

Website:

Since 1992, the River Course has been popular among golfers seeking new destinations for two or three-day golf getaways. In 2004, it was featured in the movie Sideways. The striking panorama of the Santa Ynez Mountains provides the backdrop for the River Course, where golfers can experience the majestic beauty and rustic elegance of California's Central Coast. The course maintains an atmosphere of quiet escape by immersing the player in a serene riverside. "Year-round sunshine, spectacular ocean, mountain and valley views and well designed courses make Santa Barbara one of America's best places to play golf." This par 72, 18-hole course is 6,830 yards from the gold tees. Built in 1992 as part of the Alisal Guest Ranch. Designed by Halsey Daray.Contrasting in style and setting from the Ranch Course, the River Course maintains an atmosphere of quiet escape by immersing the player in a serene riverside setting framed by the uninterrupted panorama of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Alisal presents golfers with breathtaking panoramas of the brilliant hues of the foothills, mountains and valley. The River Course features four lakes and often follows the meandering path of the Santa Ynez River. Gentle mounds define the manicured fairways and bent grass greens accented by mature live oaks, native sycamores and elderberry trees. Robert Scarpati, PGA Member at the River Course, describes the magnificent course as "extremely playable for all levels." The River course is challenging but not punishing. This strategic placement of a variety of hazards rewards length and accuracy without severely penalizing casual and recreational golfers. The moderate central California climate and meticulous maintenance provide excellent year-round playing conditions. The fairways appear wide but mounding along the sides requires accuracy to avoid side hill lies. Some of the tees are elevated offering sweeping vistas of the fairways below. The greens are large and have moderate undulations making them a delight to putt, and the club keeps them consistent and true. A most dramatic and demanding hole is the 438-yard, par-4 seventh that features a challenge everywhere you look. Hit a big fade off the tee, and your ball might wind up in a vineyard of Ken Plam's Mission Meadow Winery, which runs the length of the hole. If you hook your tee shot, it might catch the lake that runs all the way up to the green.

Place: Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort Date: Sunday – April (TBD)

Course: River Golf Course at Alisal Tee Time: 10:00 AM (first group)Location: Solvang, CA Price $80.00

http://www.rivercourse.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=505&page=26071

Place: Ranch San Marcos Golf Club Date: Monday – April (TBD)

Course: Rancho San Marcos Tee Time: 10:00 AM (first group)

Location: Santa Barbara, CA Price $90.00

Website:

Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is considered by many to be the premier golf experience in Southern California. Set in the mountains 12 miles outside of downtown Santa Barbara, Rancho San Marcos spectacularly captures the natural beauty and distinctiveness of its surroundings. Built on the site of the historic Rancho San Marcos, circa 1804, this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed gem gracefully saddles the natural topography meandering amidst a plethora of ancient oaks, and preserved traces of 19th century adobe structures and the rugged San Marcos Stagecoach trail. From the course, to the food, to the country club service you are sure to remember your visit to Rancho San Marcos Golf Course. What Santa Barbara may lack in quantity of golf courses, it certainly makes up for in quality. For seaside golf, few courses in California are bettered by Sandpiper. Heading inland, Rancho San Marcos is another gem. Built on the site of the historic Rancho San Marcos (c. 1804), this Robert Trent Jones Jr design occupies wonderfully undulating terrain in a stunningly beautiful area of hills, mountains, lakes and oak forests. Laid out alongside the rock-strewn Santa Ynez River, the gently undulating front-nine, at times open, at other times more tree-lined, introduces you to generally good-width fairways, sprawling greenside and fairway bunkers and occasional water hazards. The back-nine, with greater elevation changes, serves up many fabulous golf holes and no end of breathtaking vistas. From the par-3 13th tee you can look back down the stunning Santa Ynez Valley. Another par-3 at 14, and this time an impressive view over Lake Cachuma, most likely with eagles soaring overhead. The golf course continually exudes quality and challenge, as well as a perfect fit with its ruggedly beautiful and tranquil surroundings. There is no housing to be seen on or from the course, although a few historic items are occasionally in evidence; namely a few preserved 19th century adobe structures and the route of the San Marcos Stagecoach trail (in use until 1901), which runs alongside the par-4 17th. The service has a touch of that old-school cordiality, with exceptional treatment from the staff at the pro shop. The staff was not only friendly, but charismatic while informing golfers that the range on which they are about to hit balls is the same one Freddy Couples visits every once in a while. Like any mountain course, there is ample elevation changes, which provide for eye-satiating scenery. On the back nine - Rancho's signature side - there are four elevated tees, and in some situations, players are surrounded by dramatic drop offs on all sides. How about that for an interesting tee shot. Any miscue could lead to a double or one of those dreaded "others."

www.rsm1804.com

  

Chumash Casino & Resort 3400 East HWY 246

Santa Ynez, CA 93460 1.800.CHUMASH

Website:Website:

Room RatesSunday Night - $235Sunday Night - $235Monday Night - $175Monday Night - $175Tuesday Night - $175Tuesday Night - $175

http://www.chumashcasino.com/Home.aspxThe Chumash Casino Resort Hotel is a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award and features 106 spacious guest rooms, 17 luxury suites and all the amenities for a luxuriously comfortable stay. The Chumash Resort features spacious, elegantly appointed guest rooms overlooking the bucolic Santa Ynez Valley countryside. Most rooms offer a patio or balcony. Each luxurious room is distinctively designed to provide you with the best in comfort and convenience. Guest rooms range from our Premium Guest Room to the ultimate Master Suite, each with the amenities and features you would expect from a AAA Four Diamond hotel. Their Premium Guest Rooms feature one king or two queen size beds with a balcony, a small sitting area, 27" flat-screen television with cable, HBO and Pay Per View movies. Additional amenities include deep-seated bathtub and shower combination, complimentary turn-down service, luxury bath robes, in-room coffee and tea, iron and ironing board, in-room safe, complimentary bottled water, and hair dryer and vanity mirrors.Dining: The Willows - Comfortable elegance paired with fine dining at its best. The Willows specializes in mouthwatering prime steaks and seafood, while also featuring an extensive selection of local and imported wines, all served in an elegantly appointed setting.Creekside Buffet - Variety abounds at the all-you-can-eat Creekside Buffet.  Enjoy a selection of freshly prepared American and ethnic dishes and delicious desserts for lunch or dinner.  Chumash Cafe - Hearty, casual and open 24 hours a day, the Chumash Cafe is your place to refuel and enjoy on-the-go dining.  Choose from a selection of delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees.

The fabulous Chumash Casino offers gaming at its best, including the most popular slot machines and table games like Blackjack and Poker. Play Bingo in our smoke-free Samala Showroom. You can play 24/7 The Spa at the Chumash Casino Resort has been designed as an oasis from the excitement of the Casino floor. Here you can relax, reflect and rejuvenate with any number of health and beauty treatments. Pool - Take a break from the gaming floor in their pool and jacuzzi.  Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, the pool is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm.

SundaySunday Evening – Dinner Social –Evening – Dinner Social – April (TBD)April (TBD)

Monday Evening – Dinner Social - April (TBD)Monday Evening – Dinner Social - April (TBD)

A.J. Spurs350 East Highway 246

Buellton, CA 94327 (805) 686-1655

Can you rangle …The Gambler?It's their mouth watering 35oz top sirloin steak cooked over the oak pit BBQ. If you finish it by yourself, they will be so impressed that they’ll send you home with a T-shirt and braggin' rights to go with it!Over 20 Years of Old West Style Dining! A. J. Spurs promises to satisfy even the Heartiest of appetites.

Family Style Dining starts off every meal at AJ's with our Hearty Vaquero Soup, Tequila Beans, and Homemade Salsa. We recommend you mix them together for the perfect start! Your second course will feature a  crisp garden salad with your choice of several homemade dressings, including our Famous Chunky Blue Cheese and mouth watering Avocado Ranch. Hold on to your britches partner, cause we're just gettin' started! AJ's serves up a skillet of our crispy Cowboy Spuds with the main course!

Website: http://www.ajspurs.com/Dinner Menu: http://www.ajspurs.com/Menu.html

Firestone Walker Brewing Company

620 McMurray RoadBuellton, CA 94327

805-686-1557

Cheers and welcome to the Tap Room Restaurant—a full-service restaurant dedicated to the enjoyment of fine cuisine, beer and wine in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country.The Taproom celebrates the unique tastes of the Central Coast. Showcasing fresh ingredients from local sources, our menu reflects our passion for capturing a distinctive blend of regional cuisine, beer and wine. Extraordinary flavors, prepared simply by talented hands – that is our mission. Our Taproom Bar is richly appointed with oak tables and a brushed stainless steel bar. In addition to our regular ale lineup, taproom manager Mark Winford also serves taproom-only brews (such as our Unfiltered Double Barrel Ale and seasonal selections) on a rotating basis. The Taproom features our four award winning Firestone Walker beers in addition to eight alternating beers on tap. Patrons of the bar may enjoy 1/2 pints or imperial pints of our beers. We also feature special beers available only in the tasting room and a wide range of Firestone Walker merchandise. Call ahead for info on what special beers we are pouring!

Website: http://www.firestonebeer.com/Dinner Menu: http://www.firestonebeer.com/files/Taproom_menu_010711.pdf

With nearly 300 days of sunshine annually, any time of the year is the perfect time to visit Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley.  Shopping at 150 independent boutiques, stores and art galleries and culinary delights including a dozen wine tasting rooms all within walking distance. Hop aboard the Solvang Trolley for a tour--a historic wooden streetcar pulled by a pair of magnificent horses, or, on a surrey bicycle made for up to six at Wheel Fun Rentals. Year-round outdoor family fun and picnics are popular in Hans Christian Andersen Park, Sunny Fields Park and Solvang Park. Bicycle, golf, hike, fish and see wildlife. Tour a lavender farm, horse ranch or ostrich farm. Take a horseback ride or soar over it all in a glider. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a vineyard or waterside at Cachuma Lake or Nojoqui Falls parks. Refresh and rejuvenate at a day spa. Experience year-round 24/7/365 gaming and live entertainment at Chumash Casino Resort. At night, do some dancing, take in a live concert or see PCPA Theaterfest's professional summer performances under the stars.

The Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara County Wine Country produces some of the finest premium wines in the world.  There are currently over 18,000 acres of grapevines and over 60 wineries. The Santa Ynez Valley is known especially for its outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also produces fine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and many other varietals. http://www.santabarbara.com/winecountry/

Take a narrated tour on "Ride the Honen Streetcar“, one of the most popular ways of exploring Solvang is via a 20-minute tour aboard the Honen (Danish for little hen), a replica 1915 streetcar pulled by a handsome pair of Belgian draft horses. Located on Copenhagen Drive near Solvang Visitor Center.

Hans Christiam Andersen Museum established to foster public understanding of Hans Christian Andersen and his work. Located upstairs in The Book Loft Building, 1680 Mission Drive, Solvang. Open Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 805-688-2052

Elverhoj Museum of History and Art: Exhibits showcase Solvang's rich cultural history. The former residence of one of Solvang's most artistic families is now a community museum devoted to the history of Solvang, the Danish-American pioneer spirit, the colorful heritage of Denmark, and the arts.

The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum houses a collection of vintage and rare motorcycles as well as European race bikes. The motorcycles in the museum are from the private collection of Virgil Elings. The collection is quite broad: vintage motorcycle racing, both motocross and road racing bikes. Weekends 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and by appointment mid-week. 805-686-9522

For the energetic visitor, bicycle and four-wheeled "surrey cycle" rentals offer a pedal-powered way to see the sights. Try “Wheel Fun Rentals” 805-688-0091

Ostrich Land in Buellton - A 33-acre breeding farm with more than 100 birds including emus on property. A small store sells farm fresh ostrich eggs, meat , eggshell paintings, and other souvenirs. 

Hotels in Solvang, Buellton and Santa YnezHotels in Solvang, Buellton and Santa Ynez

Hotel Rating Rate (Avg per night)

Buellton AreaMarriott - Santa Ynez Valley **** $170Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn *** $120Days Inn Buellton ** $ 80Quality Inn – Santa Ynez Valley ** $ 80

Solvang AreaHadsten House Inn & Spa **** $150Petersen Village Inn *** $150The Solvang Gardens Inn *** $130Holiday Inn Express *** $120America’s Best Value Inn – Svendsgaards ** $110Wine Valley Inn *** $100Kronborg *** $100King Frederik Inn *** $100Solvang Inn & Cottages *** $ 90

Santa Ynez AreaSanta Ynez Inn *** $250

Here is a sampling of the Hotels in the Ynez Valley (during dates in April). This data was collected off the Travelocity site. Rate is an average for the three nights (Saturday will obviously be more expensive, with Sunday and Monday being cheaper)