Ostrichland USA in Solvang, CA

610 E. Highway 246, Solvang, CA (805) 686-9696 ostrichlandusa.com

Solvang, CA -- Ostrichland USA is a road stop that's become a tradition for many travelers driving along I-101 on the Central California Coast. The beautiful scenery provides grounds enough for a pit stop. Solvang (and adjacent Buellton) have many wonderful places to grab a bite and hotels to maybe spend the night.

But the highlight for many of us is Ostrichland USA. The famous birds that live on the ranch the public is invited to visit are famous in a sense. They appeared in the movie, Sideways.

Ostrichland USA makes its living primarily by selling ostrich meat and products, souvenirs ostrich eggs and other such items like feather dusters, emu oil and ostrich jerky snacks. However, the owners clarify that they do not sell the meat from their own birds the public visits and can feed for a small fee. They obtain their ostrich meat from other meat growers.

So never fear that when you pet one of these beautiful birds with the big eyelashes that you're getting friendly with your next meal. It doesn't happen on this farm that honors its ostriches.

Considered the ultimate, environmentally friendly bird, there's so much about the ostrich to admire. They don't fly, but are the 2nd fastest animal on the planet, so they can run away from nearly every predator. They can run 45 miles per hour for up to 30 minutes! Not endangered at all, there are over 2 million ostriches, and these survivors have been dated to over 120 million years, seen through skeletal remains!

Ostriches as food:

With the best feed to weight ratio gain of any land animal in the world, ostrich meat has become a popular product. Not generally requiring chemicals to maintain its health, the fully grown an ostrich has one of the most advanced immune systems in the world.

If eating an ostrich in a meal isn't your thing, just visit and feed the pretty birds that live in the land of sunshine on the Central Coast. It will brighten your day, and if you have kids, they'll be talking about it afterwards.

Other things to see & do in Solvang include downtown Solvang, Mission Santa Ines, Mission La Purisima, and the Carriage Museum in Santa Ynez.