Hideaway Ranch is a horse boarding ranch that also offers the horse owners riding trails, arenas and pens. In addition to boarding services, the ranch also offers horsemanship training lessons for people of all ages and skill levels. Be sure to view the website, or call, for more information.
Dana Smith Show Team provides training and lessons for horses and horse owners. The facility includes a riding area, grooming facility and more. Its staff is not only professional, but everything is fairly priced. Longtime and new horse owners are welcome. Parking is located near the horse stalls.
Horsequarters is a ranch based company located on County Road 96. This equestrian company offers boarding for horses and has a variety of equestrian resources. There are trails for horses and owners to ride on, lightened indoor and outdoor arenas and obstacle courses. There also is a jump course, trailer parking and round pen.
Right off Highway One and just a little out of town, The Sea Horse and Friendly Acres ranches offer one of the biggest tourist draws of the area. In business since 1963 (coming under new management in 1989), these ranches give quality horseback riding tours from experienced guides. You will ride on one of the most scenic stretches of land in the world. Along the beach or on a trail, the ocean is always in view. Many riders have a chance to see wildlife swimming in its natural habitat (seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales).
A lunch can be provided for the ride and during the summer a horsemanship camp is given in weekly sessions. Check their website for rates and availability (rides can fill up in advance).
The Portuguese Bend Riding Club offers riding lessons, as well as boarding and horse training. Students from age five and up can learn English or Western riding – even jumping. The Club uses riding rings, but has access to 500 acres of wilderness trails.
The Club does not accept credit cards, and no discounts are offered.
~Dr. Leslie
The Morning Sun Ranch, located in the Watsonville Hills, offers a horse smarts program to all ages and levels. Since 1988, the school has offered riding lessons in English or Western style and also has a "free lesson" deal for new comers. Other services include full care boarding, as well as horse training and clinics.
Sunset Ranch is located on Beachwood Drive, high up in the Hollywood Hills, under the iconic Hollywood sign. It consists of 52 miles of horseback riding trails in Griffith Park. Services include hourly horse rentals, lunch and dinner rides, lessons and sales. Discount cards for $2 off per hour are available. A single discount card is valid for an entire party. All riders must be at least eight years old and less than 240 pounds. Sunset is also a full boarding facility.
The Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center is located in one of the most pristine valleys in the San Juan Capistrano area. It is also conveniently located not far from the downtown area and Interstate 5. It is a clean and safe equestrian environment and home to more than 1000 horses that train and are housed here. It recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary.
Owned and operated by local resident Patty Harris, the center also is home to a satellite shop for Mary's Tack and Feed, a popular horse supply store located in Del Mar.
The center has training courses and jumping trails for horses and their riders.
DeVito Equestrian Center specializes in boarding and English riding lessons for students of all ages. This family-owned ranch has been located in the Mt. Diablo foothills since 1969. Throughout the year, DeVito provides a safe place for students to learn to ride horses and take care of their needs. They also offer week-long summer day camp sessions in July. DeVito's provides a variety of boarding choices for horses, including box stalls, stalls with attached paddocks and protected pastures.