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    Chaparral Ranch

    4.0 (167 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    Thalia F.

    I found Chaparral Ranch long ago when I wanted to do a trail ride at their Milpitas location. With that, I was added to their email newsletters. We moved down from San Francisco to Redwood City and was inspired to take up riding lessons. I'd always wanted to be around horses and understand how to work with them. I've now been riding almost weekly for more than a year and I'm so grateful for everyone (horses included) at Chaparral Ranch. The horses are loved for their individual personalities/needs and paired wonderfully with a rider's skill level. I've had my challenges along the way, but the instructors have been by my side helping me to better understand where I can improve. The instructors have been nothing but patient and kind. Both the employees and other people I ride around have been so encouraging. They are truly invested in your growth. I'm forever grateful for this experience and as soon as I get off my horse, I am already looking forward to my next chance to get back on.

    Trail ride at Wunderlich Park
    Terri M.

    I have been riding with Shawn and his team for about 5 years now. I started with a horsemanship class, then trail rides and some beach rides and 4 years ago I started taking Master your Trot lessons on a weekly basis. I might add I was 57 when I started which is not as easy as starting as a child. I have learned a lot from Shawn and his team of assistants. I have learned to build a relationship with a horse, navigate the unplanned responses of a horse, lead with my body and words and less with the rein, and get back on the horse after an unplanned exit. I want to go to some of their other sites but so far have stayed at the Woodside location so far. I have been on every trail at Wunderlich Park and it feeds my soul. I want to add that this is a small business of laid back horsemen and women. They are friendly and helpful but dont have a big staff so you need be patient when you need more help to get started on your ride. It is the same with any other horse ranch. You will get your full time on the horse but maybe you'll start 15 minutes late and end 15 minutes late. I hope to be riding for many years to come.

    Shannen R.

    Chaparral Ranch offers horseback riding in San Francisco, Woodside, and Milpitas. My review is based on their Milpitas location. Booking with Chaparral Ranch is all done online. Their website is straightforward so it's easy peasy to sign up! They are currently not offering last minute walk-ins due to Covid-19. Reservations are booked out 2 weeks sometimes, so book ahead! We booked a 1 hour ride, $60/each. Chaparral Ranch - Milpitas hosts its rides at Ed Levin County Park. The scenery is beautiful but finding parking isn't fun. Make sure to arrive 30 min prior just to find parking alone. Bf and I checked-in with a lady and all we had to do was sign a waiver. We waited about 20 minutes (we came early) for the previous group to come back and was set up for a horse right after. There was 5 of us in a group (including the leader). We had a quick 5 minute rundown on how to steer a horse, stop, and ultimately was told not to let them eat the grass, lol. After that, off we went. The ride was mellow and slow. One hour will get your about 2 miles. We went on trails, dirt, and the road. The scenery was pretty nice and the instructor was interactive. My horse started getting a little feisty when we came back. The instructor was telling me to pull him/her back but she wasn't listening lol. He ultimately had to pull her in. One of the other horses started acting up as well and the instructor ended up hitting her/him with the reigns. The condition of the horses are questionable...seriously. Bf told me that my horse had a bad back leg and honestly, they looked pretty sad. I get it, they have probably done this ride many times. I'd get pretty irritable too. Anywho, $60/1 hour is worth it. You pay for the mellow ride and the views. Bf and I liked it. Unfortunately, not enough to come back but the experience was awesome. Thanks Chaparral Ranch!

    This is one of their lesson horses. He's a rack of bones.

    I wish I could give them zero stars. I took my kids to the San Francisco location. It was disgusting. The horses stand around, fully saddled and tied to rails. They're skinny and look awful. I went to the place where they live. I wouldn't put my worst enemy in that small of an area. The "instructors" did not know what they were doing. They could barely drag the poor horses at a walk. Had no idea how to actually teach. My kids didn't ride for 2 reasons. We didn't have a reservation. I had tried many times to get one, but nobody ever calls back. When I said this to the office girl, she rolled her eyes and said yeah, they never call anyone back. Second, we couldn't stand what the horses looked like. There's a Facebook page called Bad Trainers, and they're on it. I can see why!!! I've read multiple complaints from animal control, one of which was a video of a horse who couldn't even get up, but nobody helped him. This place needs to be shut down. Chaparral needs to be out of business. I find your response laughable. I am the parent of one of the students at Bear creek stables. During the public meeting, more than 300 positive responses to the current management of Bear Creek were read into the record and/or submitted. Mine included. You had ZERO! So to say that you're trying to improve Bear Creek is ludicrous. That is, in fact, one of your horses at Bear Creek. Even you are too embarrassed to admit it.

    Our horses, Warlock and Jack. Jack was really gentle and calm, I'd recommend him
    Chyna C.

    We went riding at Monterey Bay and it was an amazing experience! We also got some horseback riding tips.

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    11 months ago

    Great place for a first riding lesson for kids. Summer camp options seem great too. The horses are well trained and the trails are easy

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    3 years ago

    Very friendly people! Our boy had a great time. It I was so nice to be able to get the ride before the last day of spring break.

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    Review Highlights - Chaparral Ranch

    She was so knowledgeable, attentive, and helped me gain confidence in getting a the horse to follow my commands.

    Mentioned in 74 reviews

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    Seven Oaks Farm

    Seven Oaks Farm

    4.7(23 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    I've been riding with Pam and her crew for almost 4 years now and can definitely recommend it. She…read morereally cares about her horses' welfare as well as safety for all. Even though I don't take private lessons, her attention to detail in group settings has improved my riding more in a one year than it had over several years with other instructors. Her assistant instructors are timely, excellent riders and instructors who are patient and respectful. Frankly, all of them have been provided better instruction in individual or group settings that I have gotten almost 95% of the time in the past 20 years of riding from lead instructors, no joking. She'll also never over-mount you or put you on a horse that you need to tune up for the program so she can make money off the horse before it's actually ready to be a program horse. Also if you do package lessons or lease, she'll help you squeeze in extra rides if she has horses that need to be ridden. This helps your riding and also helps fit in make-ups if you are, sick, traveling or lessons were rained-out. Pam is also incredibly ethical; she's the most ethical person I know in any line of business. This means she's not putting her interest in making money over yours: she won't try to sell you a horse, push you into a lease or lesson packages you can't afford or won't benefit from. If you're nor interested in any of these options; she'll treat you just as fairly and equally as any other rider. Regardless of whether you ride once a month, once a week, or 6 times a week, she treats all student the same: with respect, patience, fairness and diplomacy. The final part is that it is a relaxed barn atmosphere. Safety is upmost: but no one cares what attire and equipment you wear as long as it is functional and meets current standards. Horses are kept tidy, but there are no full time grooms handing you fully groomed, impeccably trimmed and polished horses. The upside is there are no high-maintenance people, nor is there pressure to show, or pressure to fit into a certain mold in terms of fashion, dress, or brands of attire.

    Seven Oaks was recommended to me when we moved to the bay area. I have been riding for over 20…read moreyears and have found that these ladies really know their stuff! I've been riding with them for the past 4 years. All of the instructors teach Carrie Coe's and Pamela Miller's carefully thought out training program, so you never need to worry about who is teaching you because they all follow the same methodology. Also, they have been working with my horse and have helped us go from training level to third level while keeping my horse happy all along our dressage journey. I would recommend Seven Oaks for anyone interested in dressage. Not only is it a fun, friendly environment, but if you are interested in competing, they can help you reach any goal you set for yourself.

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    Chaparral Ranch - horsebackriding - Updated May 2026

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