Michael Barajas / Shutterstock
The highways between NorCal and SoCal are dotted with plenty of fun roadside attractions that we all know and love. But there’s one remarkably unique Central Coast attraction that makes even born-and-raised Californians do a double-take: OstrichLand USA, a very unique ranch in Buellton (near Solvang) where over 100 ostriches and emus are living their best lives.
“Feed this bad boy!” reads the bright green OstrichLand sign, below a painting of an (irate? cheerful?) ostrich flapping its massive wings, beak agape in a (menacing?) smile.
You can buy a pail of ostrich feed for a dollar and offer it to the peckish birds—just watch your fingers!
Photo by Brian on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
A South African couple founded OstrichLand in the 1990s, but the ranch is now operated by owner Trudy Brown and a small team of caretakers. The ostriches here are not raised for meat; rather, the ranch is primarily operated as a zoo for the public. That said, you can buy fresh ostrich eggs from the ranch’s gift shop alongside other fun souvenirs.
We know that birds evolved from dinosaurs, but that’s never been more apparent than coming face-to-face with an eight-foot-tall ostrich. In California, it’s not often that you’ll find so many of these birds roaming about in our local plains, which bear some resemblance to their native African savannas and grasslands. Whether you find the fascinating animals to be gorgeous, unsettling, friendly, or bizarre, you’d be hard-pressed not to spend a fun hour here.
Photo by Jannis Tobias Werner on Shutterstock Visiting OstrichLand USA
OstrichLand is an entertaining road trip stop made even better by its affordable pricing. While somewhere like Hearst Castle might run you upwards of 40 bucks, OstrichLand costs just $7 general admission, $5 for military, and $3 for kids 12 and under. You can also purchase ostrich feed there for $1.
You can reserve a spot to visit OstrichLand USA ahead of time, but it’s not required unless you’re coming with a large group.
📍 Location: 610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, CA, 93463. Find it off of Highway 246, on the lefthand side if you’re driving west from Solvang.
🕝 Hours: OstrichLand USA is open from 9am to 6pm daily.
🌐 Reservations: OstrichLand USA