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Ostrichland USA: Ostriches in the Santa Ynez Valley

I arrived in Solvang not knowing much about the area (Santa Ynez Valley).  I just knew about the Danish fame of the small town. Well, Solvang did not disappoint. I could have stayed there for days.  However, there was a nearby activity that caught my attention.

I grabbed a regional visitor’s guide in the hotel check-in area.  After flipping thru a few pages, I saw the ad. There was an ostrich farm 2 to 3 miles from town!!!!

I giggled uncontrollably for a couple of seconds.  I ran towards my husband and showed him the ad. While jumping with excitement, I said: “We have to go, we have to go”.

See, I get very girly girl (translation: ridiculous) when faced with the possibility of being in contact with animals.  My husband, on the other hand, can care less about this type of encounters. But, you know, I insisted and insisted (that is what wives do best) until we got into the car to ride the few miles separating us from the farm.

Ostrichland USA

But not everything is so sweet in Ostrichland USA.  What I am trying to say is that ostriches are not a friendly or cute as I wanted to believe.

 

I saw the first distressing sign when parking.  A big banner with a vicious looking ostrich was pointing to the farm.  Below the photo, the following words were written: “Feed this bad boy”.  As you can imagine, I ignored the “warning” since I was in an excited state (ostriches, yes!!!).

We entered, paid the admission fee ($4 for adults, $1 for kids), grabbed the food and headed straight to the ostrich area.

Tell me they don’t look cute.

 

Then, the moment of truth arrived: it was feeding time.  I started to freak out since there is a sign advising visitors the following: “Yes, we like to bite”.  I don’t really like when ostriches talk to you in the first person.

 

Then, the moment of truth arrived: it was feeding time.  I started to freak out since there is a sign advising visitors the following: “Yes, we like to bite”.  I don’t really like when ostriches talk to you in first person.

To make things worse, the feeding rules were kind of scary.  In summary, they told you how to feed the ostriches without losing a finger, an eye or another important part of your body (yes, they like to bite and they can cut one of your fingers).

The feeding utensil consisted of a small shovel with a plate glued to it. In that way, you can hold the shovel tightly by its handle and avoid having the plate taken by the ostriches.

 

I tried to clear my mind for a few minutes and headed to the pen.  Once the ostriches saw me with the food, they started to move towards me. I started to move the utensil close to them.

They started to grab the food like crazy.  In fact, they were reaching for the food so hard that I felt like they were going to break their beaks.  Some of the ostriches tried to grab the plate as forecasted by the instructions. It was not pleasant to see them in their feeding frenzy.

 

 

 

There is an opportunity to fee emus too.  They are smaller than ostriches but not less menacing.  They have creepy orange eyes and blue heads and necks.

 

 

Ok, it is confession time.  After feeding the ostriches and emus for the first time, I ran to get more food for another feeding round.  Well, I guess this activity can get addictive (even if it involves a certain degree of danger). There were other birds in the farm but I am not sure about the species.

 

 

I survived my first ostrich and emu feeding experience!!! I am kind of dramatic but you know I am not the bravest person in the world.

All things said, do I have to advise you to visit these movie stars? I’m not being sarcastic.  Almost forgot to say the ostriches were featured in the Oscar-winning movie Sideways.

So there you have it.  A cool idea to keep in mind in case you visit the Santa Inez Valley.

Interesting Ostrich Facts

  • Adult ostriches stand 8’ to 9’ tall and weight 250 to 350 pounds.
  • Ostriches mature at 2 to 3 years.
  • An ostrich can reach speeds of 45 m.p.h.
  • The ostrich is the only bird with two toes.
  • An ostrich egg weights 3 to 4 pounds.
  • A good hen lays 40 to 60 eggs a season.
  • Each ostrich produces 1.5 pounds of feathers per season.
  • An ostrich chick grows one foot taller each month.
  • Ostrich farming started in South Africa in 1857.
  • The ostrich is native to Africa.
  • Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand.

 

Details

Ostrichland USA

610 E Highway 246

Solvang, CA 93463

(805) 686 – 9696

An ample parking lot is located in front of the property.

Santa Ynez Valley Access

The ostrich farm is located about 35 miles from Santa Barbara, 70 miles from San Luis Obispo and 128 miles from Los Angeles.

By car,  it can be accessed through US-101 or CA-154. Both routes are scenic.

The closest airport and train station are located in Santa Barbara.  If you arrive in the area by one of those methods, you will need to reach the Santa Inez Valley by rental car, public transportation or guided tours.

Nearby Towns and Attractions

The Santa Ynez Valley is full of beautiful towns. Combining a visit to Ostrichland USA with other towns in the area is a good idea.

Solvang – the Danish capital of the USA! Tons of cute buildings, bakeries, restaurants, and museums.  I recommend you take a look at my detailed article on Things to Do in Solvang.

A few more recommendations if you are interested in visiting the town:

Solvang Pictures: The Danish Village of my Dreams

Solvang Images: A Piece of Denmark Close to Home

And, if you have a sweet tooth, do not miss the bakeries and shops recommended in this article:

Solvang Bakeries and Sweet Treats

Los Olivos – probably my favorite town in the valley.  Find wine tasting rooms, gardens, and nice restaurants.

Los Olivos: A Tiny Town with a Big Heart

Los Olivos in Photos

Santa Ynez – this is the cowboy town of the valley

Buellton – another small town with good restaurants and several tasting rooms

Lompoc – this town located 20 miles from Solvang is known for its flower fields, downtown murals, wine ghetto, and beaches.

Quicksilver Ranch – ranch breeding miniature horses.  The public is welcome to stop by to take a look at the horses for free

Chumash Casino Resort – this is a spot for those who enjoy gambling and buffets

Many, many vineyards – it is impossible to name every single vineyard located close to Solvang.  If you have something specific in mind, you can get recommendations at the visitors center or at the tasting rooms in town. Companies such as Grapeline, Stagecoach, and Artisan Excursion offer wine country tours.

More of Southern California

Find out how to spend one fun-filled day in Los Angeles

Get inspiration by reading my Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List

Ultimate San Diego Bucket List

150+ Places to Go in Orange County

 

Have you visited Ostrichland USA or fed an ostrich (somewhere else)? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Hike in Joshua Tree National Park By Julie from Family Travel Lifestyle While California is famous for National Parks like Yosemite and the Redwoods, one of our lesser-known parks, Joshua Tree, offers fantastic hiking in a unique desert environment. Located in southern California – just east of Palm Springs, and less than a 3-hour drive from San Diego – Joshua Tree offers numerous trails at every level of hiking. What I love about Joshua Tree is that it isn’t as crowded as many other parks and it’s smaller which means you can do a one-day visit and still get in some great hikes and really feel as though you saw the park. Also, this park offers a lot of loop trails, which I tend to prefer to the ‘out and back’ trails. One of the most popular and can’t-miss trails in Joshua Tree is the Skull Rock loop. It’s pretty easy, good for all levels including children, and you get to see the famous and giant Skull-shaped boulder. There’s a great kids’ nature walk called the Discovery Trail that’s less than a mile if you have really little ones. The bigger hikes offer a great variety of sights. There are several hikes up to different peaks, with outstanding views of the mountains and desert. You can hike out to a palm tree oasis or walk through the boulders and include a little scrambling on your hike. The one thing to watch out for is the heat – it’s no joke at Joshua Tree, so come prepared and enjoy! VIsit the Sunny Jim Sea Caves By April from SoCalFunFamily La Jolla is known for the locals who hang around the beach. And no, I am not talking about the hodads, you know, non-surfers, but the friendly seals lounging right there on the sand. It’s also known as an incredibly fun family area, for its good food, and having the coolest sea caves. However, there is only one cave you can explore without a kayak. And that cave is only accessible through Sunny Jim’s Cave Store. From the exterior it looks just like any other beach themed gift shop, but upon further review you might see the long dark tunnel leading what looks like directly into the ground. This is the access to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, which was dug out in 1902. To reach the bottom you will pay $5 for adults, and $3 for children, walk down 145 dark, narrow stairs and come out on a damp wooden platform to take in the waves and views from below. This hidden gem is a unique experience if you are in the area. But, make sure to mingle with the locals on the shore below and check out the free, smaller caves right there as well. Read More: One Day in San Diego Pedal Boat At Lake Murray By Martina from Stack Your Dollars One of the best and most relaxing things to do in sunny San Diego is to take a ride on the water at Lake Murray. On a hot day, getting on a pedal boat is a great way to get a nice breeze and cool off. You’ll also be putting those leg muscles to work and getting in some fun exercise! Lake Murray is a 171 acre reservoir with a 3.2 mile shoreline; it can be found on the border of San Diego, La Mesa, and Santee. To rent the pedal boat, you have to go into the concession stand by the parking lot. It costs about $15 to rent per hour, with an additional $15 for a deposit. The boat fits about 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. This low-cost activity is a great way to get out and have fun. It allowed my family to stick to our very frugal budget. If you would prefer, there are also kayaks, canoes, row boats, and motor boats. However, the pedal boat is my favorite because it also has a canopy to block the sun! Whale Watch in Newport Beach By Rebecca from KwaFare One of the most thrilling outdoor experiences you can have in California is to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on earth. Whale watching in Southern California can put you right in the migratory path of humpback, minke, fin and gray whales. Even orcas are spotted from time to time, as well as sperm whales and blue whales, the largest animal to have ever lived. An excellent spot for whale watching is Newport Beach, which is only about an hour from LAX airport or downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach is a cozy community where you’ll find Balboa Pier and Island and some great beaches. My go to whale watching company here is Davey’s Locker. And for good reason. First, they regularly have sales for their whale watching tours on Groupon. So, for about the price of a movie ticket you can take a front row seat to these magnificent creatures for over a couple of hours. But what I really enjoy is hearing the excitement of the crew every time we get to see a whale out at sea. This testifies to just how electrifying it is to witness these deep sea giants in their natural habitat. Despite how many times they get to see them, every time it’s a thrill. And the thrill is definitely contagious. You just never know what you are going to see when you get out on the boat. However, if you want to up your chances of sighting whales go out during their migration times. In general, winter and spring are great times to see gray whales, humpback and minke whales. And summer and fall are ideal for blue whales, finbacks, orcas and sperm whales. So whether you find yourself in the middle of a pod of hundreds of dolphins or next to an enormous blue whale, this is one of those things to do in California that is not to be missed! Visit the Center of the World By Theresa from The Local Tourist Just inside the border in the southeast corner of the state, you can put your toes on the officially designated Center of the World. Felicity, California, is home to the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World and is a destination worth a visit that's a whole lot less kitschy than it sounds. In 1985, Jacques-André wrote a children’s book titled “Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World.” Somehow, this Frenchman and Father of American Parachuting convinced the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Institut Géographique National, the French Mapping Agency, that property he owned in Imperial County should be declared the Center of the World. You can visit this town, population two, and not only make a wish inside a pyramid but also browse granite tablets etched with history. They're designed to last 4,000 years and the goal is that they'll preserve the entirety of humanity for millennia to come. It's a quirky destination with a noble promise, and should definitely be on any southern California itinerary. ATV in the Imperial Sand Dunes By Kay from The Awkard Traveler It isn't general knowledge, but California has sand dunes. Some of the best California sand dunes are found in Southern California. Specifically, the Imperial Sand Dunes State Park right near the border of Mexico. Winter is arguable a better season to visit, especially when summer temperatures can easily reach over 110F. But that also means winter is the most busy time to visit. So, pick your poison. From San Diego, the drive is about 2.5hours, 2 hours from Palm Springs, and 3 hours from Los Angeles, making the Imperial Sand Dunes an easy day trip if you do not want to stay nearby. However, there are camping and RV options at the state park! To enter the park, permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year. Permits are $35 per week in advance and $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150. America the Beautiful National Park pass also counts for this park. Once you are all settled into the park, you're ready to ride! But before you get into your off-highway vehicle (whether it is ATV or a bike, or other), make sure to remember the basics. Wear a protective helmet, pay attention to "closed to vehicle signs," and tall visible red flags are REQUIRED on your vehicle for visibility and safety! There you have it! Tons and tons of ideas on things to do in California. Hope you find this article useful when planning your next getaway! More of California Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles Ultimate San Diego Bucket List 150+ Places to Go in Orange County Places to Visit in Santa Barbara What are your favorite things to do in California? Let me know in the comments section below. Pin “Things to Do in California” for later!, Pigeon Point LighthouseThings to Do in California: Golden State Best

Comments

  1. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista says

    Your description of feeding the ostriches had me smiling! I agree they are pretty birds and I didn’t know they would bite. Loved that last picture of the ostrich running. Its very pretty!

    Next time you’re in the area, go out to Los Olivos to the miniature horse farm! Now those are really cute plus Los Olivos is wonderful.

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Debbie,
      I discovered the miniature horse farm to late. I just had a day in the area. I am planning to return because I wanto to visit Los Olivos (have heard is great), Buellton and Lompoc. Have to see the movie Sideways too.

      Reply

  4. Lindsay Hartfiel says

    Haha – that’s great! I’d probably be fascinated by an ostrich farm as well. I guess you can’t ride ’em like they did on the Swiss Family Robinson movie?!

    Reply

  5. Kiwi Mama says

    You sound like me! they look cute but I’d freak as soon as they looked at me licking their chops at the food haha. I’m keen to explore breeding these in the Pacific Islands on a small hobby farm. Any suggestions of whether the climate both hot and damp would be ok and whether Emu’s are a better choice as far as friendliness is concerned. Don’t want them taking out the grand-babies eyes. I’m looking at farming them for meat mainly. I have cows on the land at present so depends on whether it’s worth the investment. Not sure about quarantine laws yet or how many I need for a start but keen to explore. Any help would be appreciated. Kiwi Mama.

    Reply

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