Rancho Palomino, Santa Barbara

If it weren't for the fact that Santa Barbara is just a short drive away and that the horses all have pronounced California accents, you could be forgiven for mistaking Rancho Palomino for a farm in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Here, the agriculture is sustainable, the stables are busy, and the dining options aren't just farm-to-table, they're farm-to-table-at-that-same-farm. The little, old-fashioned ranch makes the best possible use of its stunning surroundings by hosting a variety of activities designed to bring people together and enrich their lives. After-school programs, for example, introduce youngsters to horseback riding, woodworking, and archery, while before-school programs offer real-world opportunities to be woken by a rooster.