California
At This California Dude Ranch, A Horse Girl’s Dream Comes True
With a stable of over 100 horses and more than 50 miles of trails on 10,000-plus acres, Alisal Ranch … [+]
If you’ve never sat on a horse, that first moment in the saddle can feel a little awkward, even intimidating. But for one young wannabe cowpoke, it was more like a dream come true. My college-age son’s girlfriend, Lana, has loved horses forever. But she never had the opportunity to ride one. Over winter break this year, she unlocked that new level at Alisal Ranch.
Tucked away in the sun-kissed hills of California’s Santa Ynez Valley near Solvang, the 10,500-acre family-owned property is an old-fashioned place to stargaze, fish and canoe on a 100-acre lake, and shoot arrows at decoy elk and boar. It’s also home to a stable with over a hundred magnificent horses.
Jack is a sweet, chestnut-colored stallion with a touch of grey between his gentle eyes. When Lana first swung her leg over and carefully set her feet into the stirrups, Jack looked back with a kindly, “You’re doing just fine, girl” kind of nod. Alisal has more than 50 miles of trails for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders age seven and up, and the ranch gets even first-timers out on two-hour starter rides. That might sound like daunting for a newbie, but Ben, the genial wrangler, made it a manageable introduction, and definitely one to remember. Out on the trails, you get to see wild turkeys, coyotes, eagles, foxes and more than a few adorable cows, which makes even a greenhorn feel like an extra in an old Western.
The network of trails at Alisal lets riders take in sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains (and … [+]
If Lana was anxious, it was hard to tell. The giant smile on her face told a different story as Jack clip-clopped up a golden slope past ancient sycamores to take in the epic view (you can spot the Reagan Ranch — once known as The Western White House — on a hilltop across from the property.).
Alisal meets riders wherever they are in their ability. Kids as young as four can take 30-minute riding lessons in the controlled environment of the corral. There’s a one-hour starter ride for those who aren’t quite ready to commit to a longer outing, a three-hour picnic ride with lunch carried in your saddlebags, and a new three-hour distance ride, for those craving higher views or to see more wildlife. Horsemanship 101, for any level of rider, pairs you with senior wranglers to improve your individual riding skills in an arena setting (there’s even an obstacle course if you’re willing).
One of the most popular offerings is the morning breakfast ride, 45-minute to one-hour horseback ride each way with breakfast in the middle. Think of it as flapjacks on horseback, an outing that lasts approximately three hours, and is open to non-riders, too, who can take a hay wagon ride to brekkie instead of a horse.
Family owned and family friendly, Alisal Ranch has been around longer than California’s been … [+]
Alisal’s been around longer than California’s been California, but opened as a luxury working ranch in 1946 and owned by the Jackson family ever since. Today, it’s a stylish dude ranch with benefits: 18-hole golf, tennis and pickle ball courts, axe throwing, mountain biking and a spa. The accommodations are too rarefied to call “glamping”—especially the more recently remodeled estate houses lining the front driveway. For example, the 1,620-foot wood and stone Turner House, with Ralph Lauren fabrics and Pendleton accessories, sleeps ten and has claw-footed bathtubs and wood-burning fireplaces.
The Turner House is one of the more recently renovated estate homes on property. With Ralph Lauren … [+]
Meanwhile, up on the trails, Lana found herself bonding with Jack while also gaining confidence in herself after tackling an adventure she’d put off for too long. It’s one thing to read about horses or to play with those adorable little Schleich collectibles. It’s quite another to be on the trail in a place like Alisal Ranch and let out a great big ‘yee-haw!”
California traveled to Louisville, Ky., in search of a statement win against the No. 14 Louisville Cardinals (7-2, 4-2 ACC), and the Golden Bears (6-4, 3-3 ACC) pulled out all the stops Saturday evening to earn the upset, 29-26, in overtime.
On the first play of the game, California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a lateral to his slot receiver, Jacob de Jesus, who then connected with Trond Grizzell on a deep 27-yard pass. While the Golden Bears would not score on the drive, their fast and aggressive play early on silenced much of the 51,381 in attendance.
California out-gained Louisville in total yards and offensive plays throughout the entire game. The Golden Bears never once trailed the nationally ranked Cardinals by more than one score, despite entering the game as three-score underdogs, according to many sportsbooks’ odds.
Sagapolutele earned the game-winning touchdown in overtime with a nail-biting throw on fourth down. California’s first-year signal-caller found his favorite target of the evening, de Jesus, who brought in the three-yard reception to close out the game.
De Jesus had a game-high 157 receiving yards and hauled in 16 of 23 passes in which he was targeted. His 16 receptions tie Geoff McArthur’s school record for receptions by a receiver in a single game.
In his post-game press conference, Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm praised de Jesus, calling him California’s “best player.”
“… Even at the end, to allow their best player to be one-on-one for an easy throw in the corner… you know, we need to coach better; we need to play better,” Coach Brohm said.
Sagapolutele completed 30 out of 47 passes attempted and racked up 323 passing yards—both career highs. In addition to the game-decider, the quarterback threw his first touchdown of the game in the first quarter, a 20-yard bomb to tight end Landon Morris.
The last time California beat a nationally ranked, top-25 team was on Dec. 5, 2020, when the Golden Bears upset the No. 20 Oregon Ducks, 21-17, for their first win in the 2020 college football season.
With the win, California is now eligible for a post-season bowl bid.
CALIFORNIA (AZFamily) — The mother of a missing California girl has been arrested on charges unrelated to her daughter’s disappearance, but the child still has yet to be found.
FBI Los Angeles announced that 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody on Friday. However, the whereabouts of her daughter, 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, remain unknown.
Melodee and Ashlee reportedly went on a road trip as far as Nebraska in a rental white Chevrolet Malibu last month, detectives say. Federal authorities say Melodee and her mother may have passed through Interstate 15 in Littlefield, Arizona while on the drive.
Detectives say Ashlee was arrested for a recent incident where she allegedly prevented a victim from leaving against their will. Authorities say this crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee.
“Although this arrest occurred during the course of the missing person investigation, it is not directly related to Melodee’s disappearance. Sheriff’s detectives remain fully focused on locating Melodee and confirming her safety,” FBI Los Angeles said in a statement.
Ashlee was booked for a felony charge of false imprisonment. She is being held at a jail in Santa Maria, California, with bail set at $100,000.
Melodee was photographed at a rental car agency on Oct. 7, wearing a wig and a hoodie.
The young girl has brown eyes and brown, curly hair that may be straightened or covered with a dark wig. She is between four and four-and-a-half feet tall, weighing between 60 and 100 pounds.
Anyone with information about Melodee is asked to contact detectives at (805) 681-4150 or submit an anonymous tip at (805) 681-4171.
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California
Home Ronald and Nancy Reagan commissioned as California Governor’s Mansion hits the market
A Carmichael home that was originally designed to be California’s official Governor’s Mansion is now up for sale.
The mid-century modern home, located at 2300 California Avenue, was built in 1975 after being commissioned by Ronald and Nancy Reagan to replace the aging governor’s mansion at 16th and H streets in Sacramento.
By the time construction was finished, Reagan had already left office. His successor, Jerry Brown, declined to move in – famously dismissing the Carmichael residence as the “Taj Mahal.”
No California governor ever called the mansion home, with the property being sold to a private citizen in 1983.
A time capsule installed at the property recognizes the home’s history. The capsule is scheduled to be opened on July 4, 2076.
Now, as of Oct. 16, the Carmichael home has hit the market with a list price of $7.5 million. The property spans 4.3 acres that overlook the American River, with the home featuring a total of 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and 2 half bathrooms.
“You can really feel the history here,” said realtor Hattie Coleman in a statement.
The Carmichael home last sold in 2004 for $4.1 million.
The East Sacramento home Reagan lived in for much of his time as California governor was designated as a historic landmark in 2024.
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