had a great experience at Ocean View Stables. There were many beautiful horses, and everything felt…read morewell-organized. We went there for horseback riding, and it was really enjoyable. The price was very reasonable--about $20 per person for three rounds, which I think is quite fair. Overall, it was a fun and pleasant experience, and I would definitely recommend it to others!

Went horseback riding here recently and overall had a great experience…read more The location is beautiful and not overly built up, which makes it feel really peaceful. It was the get away I was looking for. There are a lot of trails, and while we didn't spend a ton of time right along the ocean, the hillside views were still really nice. We had a great guide. The setup is cute, and I loved that they let you interact with the horses beforehand -- they seem to take good care of them while still making it enjoyable for guests. On our ride, we were paired with a couple who has been taking lessons there and they had nothing but great things to say, which was really reassuring. Only downsides: the website is pretty confusing and pricing for certain things wasn't very clear. It is a bit pricey, though. That said, I'd definitely go back -- and if I lived closer, I'd even consider lessons. But it is just too far for me to make the commitment.

Beautiful place n Wonderful people…read more Especial thanks to Miss 'T' For making our trip memorable Great person n Best horses

Located just off coastal highway 1, Chanslor Ranch is 378 acres of open space with miles of hiking…read moreand 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!

Kim replied quickly to my text, and we were able to set up the ride that same afternoon. The ranch…read moreis tucked into a small valley with quick access to the highway and Moss Beach, so it was easy to find but felt quiet and peaceful once we arrived. We were paired with two beautiful horses, including an enormous draft horse named Buck. Kim, the trainer, was warm, welcoming, and clearly loves her horses. She guided us through the foothills and into cool forest trails, where we even stopped to visit other horses along the way. Ashley the 2nd trainer joined us on the ride, and she was kind, supportive, and helped make the experience even more enjoyable. The entire afternoon far exceeded my expectations. From the breathtaking scenery to the comfort and confidence we felt with the horses, it was unforgettable. I highly recommend Moss Beach Ranch if you're looking for a truly unique and memorable riding adventure.

Had a great trail ride with Kim and Ashley! My wife and I hadn't ridden in a decade, and they put…read moreus right at ease with their friendliness and expertise. We had a very nice time riding into the hills, through wildflowers and past very nice vistas of Half Moon Bay. Our horses were great, the easy-going coaching of Kim and Ashley was appreciated- such a wonderful afternoon!

My trainer Vivian in my private lessons is by far the best and most qualified instructor I have…read moreexperienced in learning how to ride horses. She is patient, kind, supportive, and understands horse behavior. She truly cares about her clients and takes her job very seriously, working hard to make each lesson a fun, positive, and rewarding experience. I had a bad experience falling off a horse at another place and getting a small concussion. Vivian helped rebuild my confidence and appropriately guide me to where I am today. I'm very thankful for her expertise and feel Garrod Farms is lucky to have such a valuable member in their team! Garrod also has excellent horses and one in particular has touched my heart and doesn't even hurt my bulging disc in my back when I trot or canter like before.

I want to give this farm a 2.6/5 since the scenery was nice even though my trail ride got cut short…read moredue to the rain. The horses are on the older side for the trail rides, fyi. One of the horses, Elmo (20yo), does walk a little funny. I rode Ben who was a nice horse, snacked a lot, but overall a little silly horse. One of the guides told me to pull on the reins harder to get him to stop grazing, but I didnt know if he had a bit or not. I didn't want to hurt him. Elmo did try to bite Ben, but the guide brushed it off as horseplay. I didn't think it was since he kept trying to create distance between them. Upon mounting and adjusting the stirrups, I noticed that the saddle kept leaning to the left. I asked the guide if the saddle was okay and not ready to slide completely to the left, but she told me that it was just uneven ground. During the whole ride, I had to overexert my left leg to distribute my weight and not fall off. We stopped to double-check the stirrups halfway, but the guide only checked my right stirrup. I tried speaking up, but she ignored me. The guide's horse also got angry with another horse which a child was on. He looked about 10 years old and he seemed scared. The guide's horse did try to kick the other one. One of the ponies had a muzzle on due to biting. He did try to bite a teenage girl's leg. I couldn't tell if she worked there or not, but she seemed pretty young. A 7 year old was mounted on the pony and he did not like it. He kept reversing and shaking his head. The next day, I felt really sore in my left leg. I thought it was because of the bumpy ride, but the soreness kept getting worse. I couldn't (still can't) walk properly, lay down, or bear weight on it without being in pain. I talked to my friend who does dressage and she told me it was because of the left stirrup and saddle was set incorrectly. I wish there was an adult guide alongside the ones who looked about my age (17-18) because it would make others feel safe (especially ones with little kids) to know that there's another adult who has a lot of experience. I'm not saying that the teens are inexperienced, but based on what I've seen and been through... it seems like the best option.

T was an incredible guide, my wife and I booked the private sunset tour for our Honeymoon and we…read morecould not have had more fun. The horses were great, I had Guinness who was super calm and sweet. The ranch property was beautiful and we got to see the sunset at our picnic spot. I could not recommend this place enough!

LOVED this place. We did the Glenn Trail ride and it was such a fun, peaceful experience…read more The horses were super well cared for and had great temperaments--you can tell they're handled with care (huge green flag for me as a horse owner). The staff was really friendly and made everything easy and comfortable from the start. The trail was beautiful and relaxing with amazing views. It was the perfect way to just unplug and enjoy the ride. Definitely recommend and I'll 100% be back!

I had excellent experience with the summer camps for children, oudoors with the horses. Kids…read moreloved it. Also, other group activities. The camp was from 9 to 3pm, a good schedule. There's no cell signal in Ed Levin, which may also be good to keep kids away from the screen. The park bathrooms are used. The first day, take kids there and make them familiar as they aren't the same as at home! Tip: pack a hand sanitizer .

Done a few hikes through wunderlich park but haven't ridden a horse. Took the trail ride with…read morechaparral. It was fun and relaxing and serene to ride the horses through the woods. They have lessons for those who want to master horseback riding. Been a few times already and their horses are great. They're docile and understand command. Great ride.

We had family friends visiting and wanted to give them a unique experience. It was hard to find a…read morehorseback riding company that would respond back or have a phone number to reach them. I texted EquiFabula and Beany responded right back. She was very nice and accommodating for our request of a private horseback riding lesson. The lesson was for our family friend that is a 10 year old girl who had never been on a horse before. Beany asked her height and weight and experience and let me know she had the perfect horse. We arranged a time and date. Before our appointment Beany confirmed and sent us some paperwork and waivers to sign. This was great so that we could spend more time with the animals when we arrived. When we arrived, we were greeted by a beautiful property nestled in the Castro valley hills. The property is big and well kept. Beany let us through the gate and we parked by the stables. Beany asked if we would like to see some of the animals on the property. We had a wonderful time meeting 2 week old bunnies, chickens, a baby possum, chinchilla, and guinea pigs. It was a wonderful surprise that we didn't expect. After we finished seeing the various animals for half an hour we met Mona the unicorn! Our family friend learned how to brush Mona and take care of her. She was then fitted with riding gear and started her lesson. Beany walked with them the entire way and was a wonderful teacher. She learned how to trot with the horse, steer, and all about the basics of riding a horse. This experience couldn't have been better and Beany was a 5 star teacher. You can tell she loves what she does, has an immense passion for animals, and is very good with kids. She is able to ignite a passion for horses within kids and it's a sight to behold. We would definitely go back!

I've been consistently impressed by Beany's knowledge of horsemanship and the thoughtful…read moreinstruction she gives to students. I highly recommend her for anyone wanting to grow as a horse-person.

I grew up riding horses in the Oakland Hills next to Joaquin Miller Park and close to Skyline…read moreRanch. Back in the day, the area was affectionately known as "horse country." The reason for this is that over the years, more and more open space around Joaquin Miller Park in the hills was preserved and protected, creating a giant, beautiful expanse of protected and accessible land. The vast trail system networking these parks were created in large part because of the support of the local horse community. Over time, a bunch of horse facilities were established in this area, drawn by the amazing trail network and the proximity to hundreds of square miles of California ranch land east of the ridge line. Among the local stables, the truly iconic Skyline Ranch and its sister facility, the historic Piedmont Stables, stand out as two of the oldest and most enduring. To me, they are a wonderful reminder of the East Bay's deep-rooted horse culture and an important part of Oakland's "horse country" tradition. Skyline Ranch is a community-oriented full-service operation that blends superb boarding facilities and high-quality instruction with smooth, professional, safe, secure operations. Both barns provide direct and immediate access to the amazing network of Oakland Hills trails. Some of the reviews I've read have had issues with communications. The reason for this is that there's no office staff here waiting to take calls - everyone is digging in, hands-on, teaching, and working with horses and owners!  So, the best way to learn more is simply to come VISIT. Inside the main barn, you'll find large whiteboards with contact numbers. The most effective way to reach someone about lessons or boarding is to TEXT JUDI Martin, the owner and head trainer. She is almost always nearby, either giving a lesson or working with a horse, raking the arena, helping students and boarders, or pitching in wherever she's needed (she's a hands-on, engaged, busy but very friendly lady). When in doubt, just ask anyone around the barn and we'll connect you with her. The instruction is great. Although the primary focus at this barn, and most barns in the area nowadays is English riding, I ride Western (I think I'm the only one here).  I train with Judi personally, and I take private lessons in both Western and English. She has a deep understanding of general horsemanship, and is a natural fantastic teacher, patient and insightful, and she truly understands how to get the best out of each horse and rider. You have to work hard during her lessons, but I appreciate that she's trying to improve my competence and therefore making me a safer rider.  My progress has been tremendous, and my enjoyment of the hobby has improved dramatically as a result.  The other trainers at Skyline, including Jackie, Jerry, and Tracy, are also excellent. Whether you're just starting out or riding at a high level, there's real depth, experience and teaching ability here that can help you achieve you or your child's goals.  There are many little kids and adult beginners and they all get a great start based on the teaching team's decades of experience, love of horses, and genuine caring engagement with students. They have many experienced solid, well trained, safe school horses. Depending on your needs, Summer Camps, workshops, group lessons, horse first-aid classes, and many other learning opportunities are also available. The barn itself is very well run and thoughtfully maintained. Boarders have access to indoor stalls that are kept clean daily, comfortable with plenty of bedding, and protected with active surveillance, alarm systems, and human security patrol.  Horses are turned out daily and fed (good quality hay and alfalfa) three times a day. There's a strong support system in place, including regular visits from farriers, several vets who are frequently on-site, and a knowledgeable staff that truly cares about and looks after the horses. Parking is easy, security is active, and Judi and her team are always willing to share their expertise when it comes to horse health, exercise, feeding, training, access to resources, or anything else you might need help with. I keep two horses here and they are both very happy. Pricing for boarding and training is consistent with the market and very reasonable. More than that, you get much better value here compared to other barns in the area. What makes Skyline Ranch truly special is the completeness of the ecosystem. It is not just a barn with horses and an arena. It is a well-maintained, fully integrated environment where everything and everyone works together in support of the horses and the riders.

Wonderful facilities and excellent instruction, very close to Oakland and freeways but backing up…read moreonto magnificent trails

Sent a message, left a voicemail, and haven't heard from…read morethem after days. Disappointing to see discrimination against customers in California. UPDATE: As you can see below, the owner reached out 6 months after my review, claiming that they didn't receive my message. I still have their 2450 number recorded on my phone. What a disappointing series of decisions in customer relations.

My son has great time at the summer camp. They teach the kid how to prep and ride the horse…read moreproperly. It also give them some education about horse. Annika was great with kid. There are some art and craft. (paint the horseshoe and drawing of horse) The location was nice with cover arena. It is nice at the summer. It is good introductory for young kid to get into horseback riding.

My 2 daughters have been with Horizons East for over 3 years. They had gone from riding academy to…read morecompetitive training riders, and each of them has grown beautifully as a rider as well as a person. Here is why.. First, the coaches are skillful and caring. Not only their priority is always safety, but also encouraging riders to properly care for the horses. They pay attention to each individual rider's skill and help them progress. This sport is physically and mentally challenging. My girls have had their struggles, but the coaches have been patient, guiding them through, and gone above and beyond to help them succeed. My girls have grown their confidence and learned their ways to cope and push through their challenges. I truly appreciate and respect them. Thanks to Sam, Barbara, Dacota, Nikki, Shannon, Tiffany, Heather, Rena, and Terri! Second, HZE has different levels of horses that fit the riders' skill, from a beginner to advanced rider who want to lease or own a horse. The horses are in good care and Sam is very knowledgeable and attentive when it comes to horses' well being. They also have IEA team, and are very experience at horse shows. Last, but not least, HZE has a very friendly and relaxed environment. My girls enjoy spending time with their friends at the barn and help out with what they can. Advanced riders are always willing to help, so are their parents. They have flexible schedule, no weekly fixed schedule required, and very accommodating to reasonable changes.

I had a lesson with Coach Heather and learned the basics of caring for a horse as well as riding…read more The riding school horses are very gentle and well-behaved. I rode with Tajma, who was taller than my head when we stood next to each other. Coach Heather did an amazing job reassuring me when mounting and dismounting. The introductory lesson included turning, stopping, going, posturing, and various balancing exercises. By the end of the hour, I was already comfortable on horseback. It would be ideal to extend the actual horseback training to an hour, with prep and cleanup being additional time. However, I understand that this could be strenuous for the animals.