Saddle up, cowgirls! These dude ranches offer the perfect wellness escapes

Perched high atop a dappled-colored horse at Alisal Ranch, I stroked the equine’s coarse hair in an effort to bond before sauntering off to an authentic cowboy breakfast. I was with a group of like-minded women in search of a wellness weekend — but we chose to trade our spa robes for cowgirl hats and forgo mani-pedis for dusty trail rides. This was not a typical “dude ranch” experience. It seamlessly blended nurturing self-care, enriching workshops, nourishing meals, and fostering friendships.