9 Top Places to Go Horseback Riding in California

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The Golden State is where you will find an infinite number of outdoor activities to do. And that comes as no surprise, as nature in California is quite alluring, displaying various types of environments in different regions of the state. Going outside and exploring is something that will never get boring when you are here. 

Horseback riding in California is quite a popular activity, as it is one of the most fun ways to soak in the magic of nature. With so many options, which experiences should you try first? Here are some of the best horseback riding spots throughout the state you will want to check out.

1. Los Angeles Horseback Riding 

Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Entrance fee: $100-150 per person      

There’s a reason why Los Angeles Horseback Riding is so popular. Horseback riding in Los Angeles is easy to find, but only some of them know how to enhance the activity. Los Angeles Horseback Riding offers you beautiful trots through the Santa Monica Backbone Trail, where scenic panoramas of the mountains and the coast abound. Moonlight Rides are one of the most famous rides, as you will be able to ride your horses underneath the sheen of a full moon. There are also rides available at sunset that will simply take your breath away, a perfect outdoor date idea in Los Angeles.

2. Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures 

Location: South of Oak Fire 
Entrance fee: $70 per person

Yosemite National Park is full of wonders and beauty, a testament to how enchanting Northern California’s nature can be. Equestrians will be thrilled to know that horseback riding in Yosemite is very much possible and the park even welcomes it. The Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures is one of the best trail-riding stables in the area, providing you with the greatest experience possible. 

Embark on your equestrian journey, on a trail to the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest sequoias in the world. A truly wonderful way to soak in the magic of Yosemite Valley. For people with no previous history in riding, this family-run business makes sure to keep things beginner-friendly so everyone has a good time.

3. Ricochet Ridge Ranch  

Location: Fort Bragg
Entrance fee: $65-235 per person 

How about some horseback riding on the beach? There are plenty of horse-friendly beaches in California, and Ten Mile Beach happens to be one of the best. Meet up at Ricochet Ridge Ranch for a trot across the beautiful Mendocino Coast. Ricochet Ridge Ranch employs and promotes sustainable eco-responsible practices to minimize environmental impact and support conservation. 

There are multiple bundles and offers available on their website, some of which include all-day private beach rides, 4-hour forest rides, 2 hour coastal rides, and a bunch more. Horseback riding in California on the beach is a unique experience you won’t be able to have anywhere else, so saddle up!

4. Malibu Riders

Location: Los Angeles 
Entrance fee: $100-150 per person 

Los Angeles is home to a multitude of natural gems that are easily accessible to anybody, so why not take advantage of it? Malibu Riders will help you discover these stunning places with their amazing trail rides. One of their most popular rides is the one through Zuma Canyon, where views of the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains await your arrival. There are also rides that take you through Malibu Creek State Park at Agoura Hills, once a 20th Century Fox Ranch where movies like Planet of the Apes and M.A.S.H. were filmed. Horseback riding in Malibu has never been more fun.

5. Grant Grove Stables 

Location: Sequoia & King Canyon National Park 
Entrance fee: $60-100 per person 

Imagine the awe-inspiring majesty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, one of the prettiest mountain ranges in California, as they gone into view. That might sound like something straight out of a movie, but it is a wondrous reality you can experience at Grant Grove Stables. Perfect for groups of friends and family, Grant Grove Stables offers many guided trails. Professional equestrians also have the option of bringing their own horses into both parks, where handy maps can be given to start your exciting adventure. 

6. Country Rails & Riding School  

Location: Irvine Regional Park
Entrance fee: $80-160 per person 

Welcome to one of the few equestrian facilities in Orange County to offer guided trails. Let the folks over at this stable guide you and show you the joys of riding a horse out in the open. If you are interested in horseback riding in Orange County, you have come to the right place. The trails will take you through historic groves of massive coastal live oaks, California sycamores, vast protected lands, and various types of wildlife. 

There are also riding lessons available here, aimed at the casual equestrians who wish to improve their skills at their own pace. 

7. Five Brooks Ranch 

Location: Olema, Marin County
Entrance fee: $60-320 per person 

Point Reyes National Seashore is an amazing place to visit, with so many things to see and do there is never a dull moment. One of the activities available here is horseback riding, and Five Brooks Ranch is ideal for it. Provides visitors with guided trail rides throughout the many areas in the region, the Fir Loop trail being one of their most popular rides. This stable also offers your youngsters a chance to experience the joys of horseback riding with guided pony rides, where safety and fun produce a memorable childhood experience. 

8. Redwood Creek Buckarettes Horseback Rides

Location: Orick, Redwood National and State Parks
Entrance fee: $100- 255 per person 

California Redwoods have always been able to grab people’s attention, and with good reason, these graceful giants are extremely captivating. Join the Redwood Creek Buckarettes for amazing horse rides throughout the Redwood National and State Parks. Go on the many trail options available, such as the Goose Pen Tour, Majestic Tour, and Picnic Tour, all of which have their own aspects to them. The full horseback riding in California experience cannot be complete without some Redwoods in the mix!

9. Mar Vista Stables 

Location: Olympic Way, Daly City
Entrance Fee: $70

Continuing the 100-year legacy of horseback riding, Mar Vista Stables is one of the best stables in the area. Horseback riding in San Francisco is one of the most entertaining ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the city, with views of the Pacific Coast all around. Trot through Thornton Beach State Park and Fort Funston National Park. Riders of all skill levels are welcome at Mar Vista Stables, where good times are guaranteed. It’s not every day that you get to ride a horse on a Northern California beach, so take advantage of this awesome opportunity.