The highways between NorCal and SoCal are dotted with plenty of fun roadside attractions that we all know and love. If you’ve made the drive more than a couple of times, then you’ll be familiar with Hearst Castle, the Madonna Inn, Bruce Munro’s glowing meadow in Paso Robles, the elephant seals in San Simeon, Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur, and plenty more iconic road trip stops. 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!
It’s undeniably enjoyable to see these fascinating birds up close, feed them, and perhaps even spot an ostrich chick in the summer months. OstrichLand asserts that locals often bring their guests to meet “Buellton’s favorite pets,” but many visitors simply spot the attraction from the road on the way back from the charming, nearby Dutch town of Solvang.
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 before 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.
How much does OstrichLand cost?
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.
Visiting OstrichLand USA
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