With wind whipped hair flying, the smell of sea salt tickles your nose. Beach-goers stop and wave as you ride by on horseback. Here are five places to ride on the beach for sea horse lovers.
Bolinas residents may not want you to find their coastal community, going so far as to take down directional signs, but next door neighbor, Olema rolls out the welcome mat for day-tripping visitors. Only 30 miles from San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore offers 120 miles of trails for bikers and hikers, yet the scenic area may also be explored by horseback. Five Brooks Ranch, in partnership with the National Park Service, offers a unique way to tour Point Reyes. 8001 State Route 1, Olema
Down south, on California’s central coast, you’ll find a cowboy from Down Under. Owner Mike Harper runs a Cambria-based riding company with beach rides available in Cayucos and wagon rides offered on Moonstone Beach. The Australian native comes from a long line of cowboys and has an excellent safety record. As such, the Cayucos beach rides are for small groups (4 guests) with prior riding experience required due to the open nature of beach riding. Select days are available year round. Trotting and cantering are permitted for advanced riders at the guide’s discretion. Call for current riding schedule.
Pebble Beach Equestrian Center
When you think of Pebble Beach, you think of…horses? Golf yes, polo ponies maybe, horseback rides, not so much. During your 75 minute trail ride through Del Monte Forest and down scenic 17-Mile Drive, you will pass by the requisite golf course and have a chance to stop for the ultimate selfie with the ocean across the street. You can’t actually ride on the beach; afterall, this is Pebble Beach. Group rides, private rides, and pony rides are all offered. 3300 Portola Rd, Pebble Beach
Located a short, but scenic drive north from the rugged bluffs of Mendocino, Ricochet Ridge Ranch in Fort Bragg has got plenty to brag about—offering both beach and forest riding in the same day. The ranch is owned by equestrian and endurance rider Lari Shea. Her horses are conditioned superbly and offer high-end performance well beyond a mustang convertible, more like a Maserati sports car. But enough talk about horse-power. Let’s talk about the ride: Guests may opt for a trek through a redwood forest or along Ten Mile Beach ride (that’s the name of the beach, not the length of the ride.) Several 1.5-hour beach rides are offered throughout the day under both English and western saddle. For the “can’t get enough time in the saddle” riders, Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers multi-day riding vacations on the Mendocino coast. 24201 North Highway One, Fort Bragg
Half Moon Bay, off California’s Pacific Coast Highway, might be known for gnarly waves and home to Pillar Point and Mavericks surf spot, but you’ll find sea horses there, too. No, these aren’t the type of sea horses that swim in the ocean. Instead, they take riders down by the seashore. Driving south on Highway 1 you’ll find them resting under the shade of Eucalyptus trees, sand under their hooves. From ponies to draft horses, these bomb-proof horses (meaning they won’t spook at flying kites or barking dogs running on the beach) are available seven days a week for rides on Poplar Beach. Rides range from one hour beach/ocean view for the “first time” or “nervous” rider to two hour trail and beach rides (you must call for reservations before you ride). 1828 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay