To my travel crew's either excitement or dismay, I always insist on a horseback ride while on vacation. I understand it can be challenging for trail groups when there's a mixed group like ours - one advanced, some intermediate, and the rest beginners - but Five Brooks made it so every single one of us had an enjoyable time! We chose the Salmon Creek 1.5 hour ride and had a blast with our guide, Jay. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get that close to the creek as I thought we would from other reviews and the description on the website, but maybe it was due to our group size (7 + guide) or our mixed levels of experience. We did get a few opportunities to trot, and the sights were gorgeous. I may have fallen in love with my horse, Cody, a beautiful palomino (which is saying something because I have a palomino of my own at home) but he was so responsive that I really enjoyed riding him. I have family in the area, so I'm already trying to plan my next trip so I can go ride with this group again! read more

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Located just off coastal highway 1, Chanslor Ranch is 378 acres of open space with miles of hiking and horseback riding trails as a Sonoma County Regional Park maintained for erosion and wildlife protection. Five Brooks is the riding stables that provides a variety of group or private guided horseback rides, with a view of the ocean and includes rides along Salmon Creek or on the beach ! We choose the Picnic private ride along Salmon Creek which included a up hill majestic overlook ride where hawks and Ospreys were, and a duck pond where Herons and Egrets were seen, all beautiful and natural landscapes. We lucked out as it was a cloudless day with 7 mph winds as this area can be more windy and foggy. Andrea our guide was super helpful, friendly, accommodating and so easy to ride with, explaining the personalities of our horses. They help you mount and dismount, fit you to the saddle and encourage you to pet and talk to your horse. We rode up hill and down and the horses were very fit and in good health and eager to trot up the hill! I weigh 207 lbs and my horse Cody was not lazy underneath me a they have horses that will accommodate larger people. The views were spectacular and the trotting was fun. After our ride we came back to the ranch stables for a picnic on a park like table in a meadow that was tasty deli sandwiches, chips, Gatorade and some Snickerdoodle cookies, we brought our own wine which is allowed. It was a great ride, nice pace and the horses were fantastic, easy to ride, steer, and very easy going but energetic and not tired as they can be in public riding stables. Next time I go back I want to do the beach ride! Everything went well overall, the only minor hick up was my triple E width boots were too wide for the stir ups but they just moved them to a sideways position and adjusted the length and was fine. Leave earlier than GPS says as it takes longer on rural roads to give yourself time and there are speed bumps on the entrance road to the Ranch, so it's a slow approach. Cowboy Up! read more

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it was an amazing trail ride!! my boyfriend and i did a private ride with Jay, and he was a great guide. we rode Cody and Piper and they were super well behaved. 10/10, would be recommend to friends and would come again!! read more

Five Brooks - piper (left), cody (right) on the salmon creek trail - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

What lovely customer service! Experience the magic of Bodega Bay at Five Brooks Horse Ranch, where stunning horses and exceptional customer service create unforgettable memories. Can't wait to visit again soon! read more

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We had a great horseback riding experience! Things went pretty smoothly with booking (we called to reserve), parking, and even adjusting when we were running late. My partner and I did a private Eagle View ride, and on our horseback riding hike, a couple of the staff members chatted with us while guiding us along the trail. My partner was hoping that they'd share a little more about horses or the trail, but I didn't mind so much. The staff also helped us take photos. When we got back, the staff let us hang out with the other horses past our hour, and I think we stayed for another 20 minutes brushing horse manes and taking pictures. read more

Honestly the best guided horseback riding I've ever experienced. JAY was amazing. Such an awesome experience. We did the trail ride and it was beautiful. We were overlooking the beach from the trail and could see all the beautiful hills. Jay was knowledgeable about the horses and made the experience one of the best. Definitely recommend this place with Jay! Thank you Jay! read more

Staff was very nice. Definitely recommend. We went on a ride on the beach and it was beautiful.

It was a spur of the moment booking and a first time experience for my girlfriend and I. Initially we were nervous but Ace, the Cowboy, made us feel safe and the beautiful horses were gentle as can be. On a personal note; after the horseback ride, a flood of emotions hit me like a ton of bricks, and I cried like I have been repressing unprocessed pain for years. Thank you, Five Brooks, for the amazing experience! read more

Five Brooks - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

The eagle ride with Scott was amazing! He was fun and so enthusiastic! Thank you for a unique and fun experience! We will be back !! read more

Five Brooks - We had an amazing experience with Scott ! The eagle ride was so fun ! We will return for sure ! Thank you for a fun & unique experience - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Saturday, June 15, 2024, Reservations made for a group of 9 people, most all beginners. We all arrived at the ranch, " T, was there to greet us. We then followed T and her helper to the horse loading/ unloading area. T announced to each of us, what horse we would be riding, and then each of us assisted unto the horse. My horse, " Hanna," beautiful horse ! We all saddled up, we were placed in line and then we took off with T being the head horse. T was awesome...horse trivia during the ride, great time on the trail. Beautiful ride, riding on the beach was awesome, the horses - all beautiful! Our ride was approximately 2 hours. I would highly recommend, " Five Brooks," if your checking horse back riding in Bodega Bay ! Great Experience! read more

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This place is hands down the best place I have ever taken a trail ride with... "T" our guide was amazing and her team also at the Stables were super helpful with last minute booking and instructions etcetera. My wife and I had such a great time and the Vistas during the ride were breathtaking. I recommend them highly from Beginner to Advanced riders. We will definitely be back to enjoy the Ranch again. Great job to the whole team there. read more

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T was an amazing guide. She coached us on how to ride very clearly and by the end we were completely comfortable on our horses. She knows their different personalities and took us on a beautiful coastal ride. Will definitely be back read more

Five Brooks - They take fantastic care of the horses - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

My daughter and I went on a beach ride with Scott and Kendra yesterday. We had a wonderful experience riding (walking and trotting) to and along the beach! Scott and Kendra were super friendly and engaging, as were the other staff members back at the ranch. I highly recommend this ride! I'll be back! read more

This was the best trail ride ever for me, the group right in front of us even came across a cow on their ride. My boyfriend booked us the private salmon creek trail, Dee our guide was so awesome and sweet! We galloped so fast my hat flew off and we all loved it (horses included). I was impressed by Guines size so afterwards Dee kindly showed us an even bigger horse! Such an amazing experience as a newbie horse rider and a fun experience for a couple. Don't forget to bring cash to tip your guide! read more

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My husband and I went on the Salmon Creek ride and it was a blast! It was his first time riding a horse, and Alexis did a great job helping him feel comfortable. I rode on Piper and my husband rode on Jack - both really friendly and Alexis shared a lot about the horses and their personalities. As nobody else was in our group, we got to have a private ride and even got to trot a few times! As we were trotting on the horses, my husband accidentally dropped his phone, but T and Alexis were super, super helpful and helped us retrace our steps to find his phone afterwards. We will definitely be back! read more

Our guide T was amazing!! As beginners, she made us feel beyond comfortable. Our experience was everything and more! read more

Five Brooks - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Thank you T. We had a terrific experience with you and the horses on our beach ride My wife was on Jake and I ride Cody. And thank you for educating us on many things horse related. Never knew their hearing skills were so finite. We recommended Five Brooks to our friends so hope they and others get to enjoy the experience. read more

We enjoyed a trail ride with T as our guide. She was super fun, funny and very knowledgeable about horses. We had so much fun and would absolutely recommend booking a ride! read more

Five Brooks - The view overlooking the beach! So beautiful - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

This was SO much fun! 10/10 would come back just to hang with Henna . Thank you T so much for the incredible views and the ride. read more

Five Brooks - Henna and Duke - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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Amazing experience horseback riding with "T". We were a group of 5 beginners and we all want to go back and do it again. Beautiful location and nice horses. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to go horseback riding!! read more

Five Brooks - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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Fantastic experience going on the gorgeous beach ride with "T" and the team here at Five Brooks. Everyone was welcoming, helpful and friendly. "T" entertained us with all sorts of interesting tidbits about horses while we enjoyed the stunning scenery. My family of four thoroughly enjoyed the ride and can't wait to return! read more

We had an amazing experience with T! She was so friendly, knowledgeable, fun and just overall an AWESOME person! We were with a group of 5 beginners. We came out from Hawaii for my sisters birthday. For 4 of us, this was our first time riding horses. I rode Piper, she was so beautiful and sweet. Thank you for making my experience great! read more

Not good. Wrote a review on chancellor ranch. Same as five brooks. Not a good experience to say the least. Horses are depressed and the ride was boring because you had to ride in single file even on the open beach. Lady drives the trailer with the horses in it like a bat outta hell. Condescending attitude. Never going back. read more

Had an awesome time on our horseback beach ride. We were first-time riders. Romero was a great guide and prepared us well. He was patient with us and super cool, addressing all our questions. Romero took some awesome photos as well. Highly recommend. Would like to try a sunset ride next time I'm in the area. read more

Five Brooks - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

My lovely bride Lori loves horses and horseback rides. We went out to Bodega Bay and I set her up with a ride along the beach. The staff was friendly, funny and quite knowledgeable. The animals are healthy and happy. Lori had an amazing time and loved the ride. She said her horse was a sweetheart and the scenery was beautiful. We will return within the next couple of weeks. read more

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We (4of us) did the beach ride on a Sunday. We reserved a time two days before and the person I spoke with was lovely & accommodating. Have a rating of a 4 just because of the wait time. We didn't get on our horses until much later. It was quite ok for us but imagine if you have scheduled plans afterwards it would cause frustration. Guide was very nice and responsive. My friends a new to horseback riding, so guide was helpful in determining what horse is best for them and to support them as needed. I really enjoyed my horse Dr. Pepper Notes: *they mentioned it's better to call to make an appointment. *If it's a cloudy/foggy day / do not do the "eagle ride" *Be flexible with your time due to low number of staff *You can only "run" if the rest of the group wants to, no solo galloping read more

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Great ride with Renee as our guide. She did an excellent job in preparing us for the ride and even better at leading us through the hills. Everything was perfect about the experience. Angie was also great at checking us in and even volunteered to take pictures at the end. If you're thinking about ride this is definitely the best Place anywhere along the north coast. Beautiful views with a great staff. Thank you so much... read more

Five Brooks - Getting ready for the ride. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

My two friends and I decided to do the 1 and a half hour Salmon Creek trail ride and it was my best horseback riding experience yet! You can tell that these animals are very well loved and cared for. The trail was stunning with views of meadows, the ocean, a river, and rolling hills in the background. Scott was a great leader and fun to talk to. I rode Duke, and he was a great listener and super cute. We even got to trot a bit on the horses, which was the most fun part and made it stand out from other trail rides I've done. read more

Our group ride was awesome! T was knowledgeable, funny and an amazing host! I highly recommend this ranch and T. Request her for your next group outing! read more

I had some time off planned so decided to visit Bodega Bay and do some activities while here so I booked the 1 hour Eagle View Ride group ride for my boyfriend and myself on a whim. Never been on a horse before and I'm just a skittish person in general so large majestic animals scare me haha. We ended up being the only guests for the 11am Weds timeslot so basically it was a private ride! Our guide Cheyenne (sp?) was amazing, explaining everything to us and answering all our questions thoroughly. I did a lot of research prior to booking (reviews from different sites to gauge animal welfare, ethical to ride horse?, etc). These horses are well fed and taken care of. Devon (owner?) paired me with Danny and my boyfriend with Daisy. I think it was perfect pairing, Danny went nice and slow so I felt totally comfortable. Every horse has a different personality :) The ride was wonderful, it's not a totally flat trail so there's elevation change. Overall an amazing experience, would come back again!! read more

Five Brooks - Eagle View Ride - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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T@Chanslor was the best guide for short trail ride along Bodega Beach! She was knowledgeable, fun, informative and helpful. Best time our 'ladies' group has had in awhile. read more

Five Brooks - Bodega bay dunes - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Such a beautiful ride! Angie helped check me in quickly. Provided great customer service. Very informative and accommodating. Izzy, my guide, was knowledgeable and with ease. Provided a great riding experience. The best trail ride I've ever had. Henna, my trail horse, was well trained and cared for. The horses are all incredibly healthy. Thank you! read more

Five Brooks - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Our tour guide T was amazing! She was so kind and helpful. On multiple occasions she's asked if we had any questions just in case as well as checking up on us periodically. T DEFINITELY NEEDS A RAISE!!! GIVE T A RAISE!!!! Will have to come again!!! read more

Went here for a quick getaway and had an amazing time. Scott was very knowledgeable and picked out the perfect horses for our experience. Izzy was our trail guide and slowed down at the right moments to get breathtaking views. read more

Five Brooks - Trail ride. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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A really nice experience and a must do if you're in Bodega Bay! Didn't really expect much when we went to pull into the parking lot but we were immediately greeted by really nice staff. We were assigned to horses based on our size and personalities which was a nice touch! I got assigned "E.T.", who was a fun adventurous horse that needed some steering but was a pleasure to ride with! We did the one hour group ride which became a private ride since it was a not busy Friday morning. We had two tour guides, Jamie and Sara, both of which were extremely funny, supportive, and accommodating. We took the Salmon Creek trail which brought us along a trail that had alpacas and llamas and a beautiful 360 View. Overall, would recommend! It I was super relaxing and we were all beginners but it was a great experience for my family. read more

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AMAZING!!!!, great horses (duke) and great photo views but most importantly, the customer service from T was GREAT she definitely deserves a raise, she gave us fun facts asked if we wanted a trot from the horses let us feed the horses and groom them. AMAZING EXPERIENCE. Must try read more

We had a wonderful ride. Taylor was our guide and she was full of life and energy. Sure did enjoy the beach adventure she took us on. My husband and I have done the salmon creek and the beach rides. Both so lovely. The horses are fantastic. Just love being in their presence. We had Serg, Piper, Duke (Dukey) & Guinness. My husband has had Guinness twice and at the end of this ride he snuggled up to him to say Thank you, So sweet. Book your ride and have a wonderful time. read more

I came by just with the intention of feeding the horses some carrots.... but inspired by a friend, and after bonding with a couple of the horses and Tina, the owner, I wanted to ride! It was such a cool experience! Annabelle was my instructor and she was very well-informed and kept instruction simple. Even got to lightly gallop on the beach!! My horse was Holly aka Hollywood. She's a rescue horse with SO much zest for life! I couldn't have asked for a better ride. It's obvious they treat these animals with great care and I can't wait to come back here again. read more

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Had the most amazing beach ride thanks to Chanslor Stables. I was paired with the handsome Duke and it was match made in heaven. My guide was Cheyenne, she was kind, informative, and caring. I cannot say enough good things about her. She made it a wonderful ride. I HIGHLY recommend Chanslor Stables for their horseback riding experiences. I'll be a return customer for sure! read more

Five Brooks - Selfie with the horse. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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They fit us in, same day. Our guide, Emery, was terrific. She not only gave us riding tips, but she pointed out the names of flora and fauna, what was edible and what could be used medicinally. My daughter and I each had the perfect horse for us; she was on Sarge, slow and careful, and I had Dr. Pepper, energetic and sweet. Emery let me stay back a bit a few times so Dr. Pepper could canter (but, he is so well trained, he never passed the lead horse). Salmon Creek in April is stunningly beautiful. The creek, flowers, butterflies, hanging moss...just idyllic. The ranch seems organized and on tops things. Highly recommend. read more

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