Buellton, California - Ostrich Land

On the way to Solvang on Highway 246 we stopped a roadside shack with a big sign saying "Ostrich Land." Surrounding the parking lot were fenced emus and ostriches which you can feed through the fence. Hint: the feed comes from a $.25 gumball machine. After you put your money in and turn the handle, as soon as some feed comes out, stop turning the handle and shake the machine. Anyway the owner is a blonde guy in his 30s that looks like he meditates alot. In the shack he sells the feathers, decorated egg shells ($12),eggs ($20, but they sell fast.) and ostrich jerky ($4 a bag which I bought, taste like chicken). Worth the stop, if only to feed the birds. [Carl Ambrose, 07/04/2001]

Ostrich Land! We brought our rental car to a screeching halt and were richly rewarded for making the stop. This is a "roadside must," home to not only 200 ostriches, but also a dozen emus. Jackpot!

Visitors can come within ten feet of the ostriches, who come right up to the fence to check out their observers. Bonus: ostrich urination and defecation is a fascinating and disgusting sight to behold. Double Bonus: in the gift shop, you can purchase ostrich eggs and ostrich jerky. Blecch! [Pinky, 09/15/1998]