When a group of investors acquired Flying Flags RV Resort seven years ago, they initially planned to demolish the property and replace it with single family homes.
Market conditions quickly changed, however, and the investors realized they might be better off simply improving the resort, which is less than five minutes away from the Danish-themed village of Solvang, Calif.
“Their strategy paid off,” said Daniel Bauman, general manager of Flying Flags, which has increased its gross revenues by nearly 7 percent each year since 2005 when the investor group acquired the resort.
The investors have spent about $1.5 million on improvements under the management of Horizon RV Resorts, a Westlake Village-based company with expertise in improving the profitability of RV parks and resorts. The improvements include new landscaping with attractive trees, shrubs and flowers and new big-rig friendly pull-through sites throughout the park, all of which are equipped with 50 amp electrical service.
Visitors to the renovated Flying Flags RV Resort can now enjoy Friday night barbecues and Saturday ice cream socials.
The investors also purchased five 400-square foot park model cottages, which have become so popular they book up months in advance.
“We use them to accommodate travelers who don’t have tents or RVs as well as Santa Ynez Valley residents who need overflow space for visiting family and friends,” Bauman said.
Flying Flags has also developed an activities program that includes Friday night Tri-Tip barbecues, Saturday night ice cream socials, dive-in movies under the stars, which guests can watch while enjoying the park’s swimming pool and Jacuzzi, as well as Sunday breakfast in bed delivery service. Golf and wine tasting packages are also available. The park also offers wine tasting events, featuring local wineries that come to the RV resort on weekends.
“The wine tasting events are particularly popular with families because it enables the parents to sample local wines while their children enjoy our swimming pool or other park activities,” Bauman said.
Randall Hendrickson, president and CEO of Horizon RV Resorts, said the investments in Flying Flags’ improvements, cottages and activities have also changed the demographics of the resort.
“Before we took over management of this park it was primarily frequented by retirees.” Hendrickson said, “Today, however, families account for about 80 percent of our guests.”
Flying Flags RV Resort is affiliated with the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. For more information on Flying Flags, contact Randall Hendrickson at (805) 253-1562 and visit www.flyingflags.com.
