Back before the Alisal Guest Ranch existed, even before the land was part of a Spanish land grant, the indigenous Native Americans considered nearby Nojoqui Falls, then part of the original grant, a sacred site. In 1843, the ranch became officially defined when the Mexican government granted the 13,000-acre Rancho Nojoqui to Raimundo Carrillo, who would later serve as mayor of Santa Barbara. Under Carrillo's ownership, which coincided with California's burgeoning beef industry, the ranch began a cattle operation that continues to thrive today.

New buyers added a profitable new business dimension to the Alisal with each consecutive sale, so that despite the droughts and floods that conquered three owners through the mid 1860's, it was an attractive piece of property when Charles Perkins Sr. bought it at auction in 1927.

A prior owner, H.W. Pierce, gave the Alisal (a word that means "sycamore grove" in Spanish) its name. He also used the Santa Ynez River to create an irrigation system, resulting in viable farmland. Perkins took the cattle and farming a step further, and brought racehorses to the Alisal. One of his prizewinners, Flying Ebony, was the 1933 Kentucky Derby winner.

By the time Charles "Pete" Jackson bought the ranch in 1943, the Alisal offered spacious accommodations for horses, cattle and people.

"My father was surprised at the number of buildings there actually were," says Palmer Jackson, his son, and current owner of the ranch. "That's what made him decide this would make a great dude ranch."

When the ranch opened in 1946, there were accommodations for 24 guests and they were quickly filled. The same beauty that mesmerized 18th century Chumash natives now attracted celebrity guests, from Groucho Marx to Gregory Peck.

The Alisal was Pete Jackson's first foray into the hospitality industry; "my father was a city slicker," says Jackson. "He grew up in Albany, New York, and became a banker briefly, but he had a great interest in agriculture and that's what took him out west. He was involved in several ranches in California and Nevada, and he bought the Alisal at auction, and opened up with 24 guests."

The original Alisal buildings were fewer and simpler than they are now but the esthetic has always been defined by the surrounding hills and oaks rather than the structures themselves. And that esthetic, which inspired Clark Gable to marry Lady Sylvia Ashley at the ranch in 1949, makes the ranch special.

"The characteristics of the land are what really make this ranch unique," says Jackson, who runs the property with two of his three sons, Jim and C.J. Jackson (a third son, Palmer Jr. works for a Santa Barbara internet company). "The landscape dictates whatever changes we make at the Alisal."

Today, the Alisal has 73 accommodations, all with woodburning fireplaces, refrigerators, and coffee makers. There are no phones, and the canyon blocks most cell phone reception. There is also no in-room television, though guests can watch programs in the library, in the Waggin' Tongue bar, and two other meeting rooms.

"There aren't really any demands for televisions in the rooms," says Jackson. No wonder. There are 100 horses and 50 miles of riding trails at the guests' disposal, as well as seven tennis courts, two golf courses (the private Ranch course and the public Alisal River Course), and a man-made lake for fishing and boating.

The Alisal has always made families a number one business priority; "we get business groups to fill in the winter spots, but basically we're a family resort," says Jackson. The most popular activities twenty and thirty years ago still rank high among the favorites today. Riding, particularly the breakfast and lunch rides to the Alisal's historic adobe back in the hills, and golfing are at the top. But hiking and biking have gained in popularity&emdash;mountain bikes are now available for guests, and dedicated hiking trails are in place.

The Alisal has always been child-friendly, with a strong kids program during high season. A petting zoo was added, giving kids a chance to get close to a pygmy goat or a pot bellied pig, or collect eggs, or bottle feed a baby lamb.

Square dancing, rodeos and sing-alongs were big draws in the late 40's and remain favorites today. The ranch still pays tribute to tradition while recognizing the needs created by an evolving culture and changing lifestyles. Teambuilding is a new activity. Targeted at both family and corporate groups, the Alisal's challenge ropes course, set up next to the Adobe camp, offers mental, physical and emotional challenges. Guests climb horizontal walls and swing from ropes, finding new confidence as they expand their physical prowess, bond with their inner athlete, and with each other.

The ranch also held its first Cowgirl Bootcamp last fall, giving women a chance to learn, or hone, branding, riding and roping skills.

Wine tastings and wine dinners are regular events, as a way to introduce guests to the many local vintners.

Rooms book up fast at the Alisal, but there are no plans for expansion anytime soon. "We've elected not to change on a rapid basis," says Jackson. "We've remained much the same over the years, developing only our recreational facilities." But while the ranch itself hasn't grown, its reputation has; not only from all parts of the world, but within a very small but important part of that world&emdash;the Santa Ynez Valley.

"In the old days," says Jackson, "we had a reputation of being a little snobbish, a little aloof," says Jackson. That was before the River Course and the Tennis Club opened to local members, and before the homeowners association allowed permanent "guests" to build homes on leased land.

"People didn't know us as well then. But today, more Valley people are involved with the ranch; they belong to the tennis or golf club, or they have a home here."

Jackson is a Santa Barbara resident, "so most of my social activities are on the other side of the mountain. But my son C.J. lives in the Valley, and I do a lot of business here. It's a great community. And I'm definitely a part of it."