I have just started boarding at PBR, but I am so thrilled to be here. My horse Beau arrived on…read moreSunday and everyone here has been so helpful. I'm a total noob and all the boarders and the owner Michelle do everything they can to show me the ropes. Michelle is one of the most friendly and accommodating people I've ever met. Her cheerful attitude makes my day. I'm still letting Beau settle in so I haven't ridden him yet, but everyone raves about the trails. PBR is backed up to Indian Valley and Ignacio Valley preserves and has direct entrances from the ranch. No trailering needed! Good for someone like me with a Hyundai. I'm happy with my portion of the tack room, and Michelle offered to put up another saddle rack for me. She also offered to fix the mats in Beau's stall, as they're wonky and make it difficult to clean. This is not a show barn, so the atmosphere is very relaxed. There are not trainers on site, so you would need to arrange for one to travel to PBR. I've been told there is a dressage trainer down the street, but I'm not sure if they travel for lessons. There is a large arena and large round pen for turn out. No pastures.

Pencil Belly, from Stall to open space in less than 4 minutes. Happy horses, happy people, not…read morecrowded. Way to be Pencil Belly!!

This stables is a special place. I have grown up riding, working and boarding at many boarding…read morestables since I was 7 years old across the country. Marin Stables is lovely! The management, people and community are wonderful and caring. I have experienced polite, caring, people from everyone at this stables. The trails are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen with many different types of trails and views. The horses are very well cared for at this facility and that is the #1 in my book. I find the rules are basic safety, common sense and curtesy and this is a public facility that hikers come through the trail head and there are bikes on the fire road and multi-purpose trails and most of the horses are trained to deal with the bikes and most hikers, runners, bikers are considerate and follow the "Slow-and-Hello" suggested public safety approach. Come and see for yourself how quiet and pleasant it is to be in this magical place, while walking by on the trail to the trail head of the Canyon Trail.

Hoo boy. I haven't been here in a year now and slowly have begun to unpack the extent of how messed…read moreup my experience boarding here for almost 2 years was. I knew many things I experienced were wrong but didn't grok the magnitude because this was the first barn I've ever boarded at with the first horse I've ever owned myself as an adult. Additionally I am both a survivor of severe childhood emotional abuse and a person with Asperger's Syndrome. I present as very shy and malleable and have a tendency to apologize for things that are not my fault in order to keep peace and not rock the boat. I was 35 when I boarded here and the next youngest people were in their early 50s, with everyone else being older. So I was conspicuously different and an easy target. One particular person who now runs this barn noted these traits in me and took advantage of them by essentially bullying me. I fully acknowledge that my horse was young, difficult, and above my skill level. I tried my hardest to reach out for help from people with more experience. When I first arrived this person acted as if she were trying to help me but really just wanted to dominate, manipulate, and gather information on me. Finally I politely told her I did not want her to "help" me anymore. When she took over running the barn she was constantly trying to find things she could harass me about that were "against the rules". Rules that were not documented anywhere and I had no idea about, like using slow feeders as example. Funnily enough a lot of those rules didn't apply to her or to many of the oldtimers she liked. In the pursuit of leveling up my skills to be able to match my horse's level I took group lessons some mornings with the resident trainer. Everything was going okay until one day when my horse had a meltdown over some deer that spooked him on the hill. This trainer fought with my horse for an hour on a lunge line and when he wouldn't submit told me he needed someone super dominating to be able to retrain him, and that if I didn't do that he was dangerous and useless. She also said he reminded her of the horse in the film "Buck". You know, the one they put down because he was too "crazy" and untamable. Speaking of the deer on the hill, the layout of this barn is probably the worst and most dangerous I have ever seen. It sits in a forest canyon and the arena has steep wooded hills on all sides where deer like to graze and pop out of nowhere. It is next to a public hiking trail where people emerge from a blind corner and scare the horses all. The. Time. Most of the people at this barn are OBSESSED with "safety" and put the responsibility of being safe onto individuals, seemingly not realizing or daring to admit to themselves that the environment itself (the aforementioned insane arena + the highly trafficked Mt Tam trails with mountain bikes whizzing by + horses being cooped up in small stall/paddocks) is a primary contributor to accidents and the lack of safety. There are a handful of cool people here who agree with much of what I said above and continue to board here because the location and trail access works for their lifestyle. These are strong enough people to ignore, withstand, and push back on the resident tyrant as they see fit. I am so grateful for those people and their help during my time at Marin Stables. You know who you are! The only really good thing that happened as a result of boarding here was that during the last 9 months of my time at Marin Stables (while I was recovering from a major surgery) I was able to work with another boarder, Heidi Craig, who is an experienced and humane horse trainer. She really understood my difficult horse and was different from almost everyone else there. Instead of a constant onslaught of domination she listened to my horse and knew how to engage with him and get him to work with her without a fight. She was the role model I needed who helped me see another way and I so wholeheartedly recommend her as a trainer or person to take lessons from. This negative review has nothing to do with her! If you're considering boarding here just know the dynamic you are walking into. Somehow this horse facility has more drama than the dressing room of a strip club! If you're looking for a peaceful place in Marin to board your horse and ride the trails I recommend Creekside. I was planning to move my horse there but then my husband and I decided to buy some land and keep my horse at our new home instead. I feel so grateful we were able to do this and the changes in my horse since he's had a larger paddock to move around in, access to 24/7 hay in a slow feeder, and shielded from the presence of people who criticize and condemn him as "crazy", "useless", etc. has been incredible to watch. I'm so glad I didn't listen to the advice of many here to sell my horse. I actually almost did. They made it seem like I had no other option. It's so sad and I am not the first it's happened to at Marin Stables.

I don't have a horse but my daughter takes riding lessons from Denise Montoya, and it's been a…read morewonderful experience for my daughter. She's been taking lessons from Denise for a little over a year now and is quite good! She can now canter and is very confident on her lesson horse Stormy. Denise is very knowledgeable and patient. She is really big on safety of both the rider and the horse. She really care about both, which in my book, makes a lot of sense. From my observations and hearing her explain things to my 11 year old, she is top notch! I highly recommend her for lessons! Best way to contact her: 1-650-534-6626.

Awesome ride for my daughters 7th bday my wife and girls loved it! Beautiful ride down to the beach…read morewith amazing views! Great staff and very helpful for all level of riders and being a first time rider it went Great!

Unreal slice of Heaven nestled in the valley of marin headlands. We hiked from Tennessee Valley to…read moreMuir Beach and decided to hike through the valley on our way back instead of an out and back. What an incredible stumble upon in the midst of our hike. Pictures don't do this beautiful spot justice. It felt unreal when we walked up to the garden then through the zen center. We merely wandered through the grounds, we didn't take advantage of any services so I can't attest to what is available on the grounds besides the incredible gardens. Our round trip hike was almost 10 miles and worth every step taken. Beach, redwoods, valley rolling hills, gardens filled to capacity with beautiful blooms, veggies, and lovingly sculpted grounds. Truly an incredible experience and what a treat to allow it to be open to the public.

I just returned from a weekend yoga retreat at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. It was my second…read moreretreat here and henceforth second time going here. I was on a digital sabbatical so no photos from my smartphone and no laptop. In retrospect from being there would say it was a lovely experience. It was great to unplug and get out of the city aka San Francisco for a weekend. The farm itself is about 30 acres. Green Gulch Farm Zen Center is affiliated with the San Francisco Zen Center in the City and Tassajara. All three is in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi from the Zen lineage from Japan. Suzuki Roshi wrote Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind and other works. I was primarily with my group here doing our own retreat yet did sit on one talk by a senior Zen teacher which I enjoyed. The talk was followed by an insightful question and answer Satsang aka philosophical discussion and tea. The hiking here is wonderful. They have been an organic farm since 1972 supplying the famous Greens Restaurant in San Francisco. The food here was quite alright. Many vegan options. One improvement would be to simply label the food items vegan or not instead they have symbols donating if the item has dairy or eggs yet majority of the food was vegan anyways. It was tasty and fresh as much of the ingredients are grown on site. The accommodation was comfortable. It was about a mile hike to the ocean to Muir Beach and explored the Tennessee Valley trail for a more challenging hike with amazing vista views of the ocean. I also saw two deer while here. If you get a chance to go to the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. Go! Recommended!

Good water for horses. Fairly flat and well drained pastures & small arena to ride in. New owners…read morehave planted a lot of trees

I boarded a horse here and I can tell you from experience, You and your horse will be happy here…read more The owner gives special attention to each horse. The horse will be safe and cared for with pride. The price is excellent (includes twice a day feeding ) and the grounds are beautiful. Wonderful views of the hills and rolling grass. The barn and facilities are well kept and very clean! The interactions with owners and boarders are excellent, creating friendships and an outstanding experience.

We held the Numi Tea annual retreat at Hawkwood Hill and could not have asked for a better…read moreexperience. First off the property was absolutely gorgeous. We took full advantage of the area next to their lake for both the retreat and then later fun with kayak's and SUPs. We used their beautiful manicured garden by the milk house for our evening dinner. Nicki and Evan were simply amazing. They recommended vendors and then worked with them on our behalf. Then, the day of the event they coordinated so much, even picking up our lunch! They couldn't have made it easier! I highly recommend this venue for any event!

This is a wonderful place. Nan, the manager, is extremely intuitive and develops a unique…read morerelationship with each horse. That says, she can tell when even the slightest thing is off with them. Tons of trail access a huge plus.

I am so lucky to have landed at MSR! Nan is truly wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and a crazy…read moreawesome cook too! Lots of trails to ride, good friends to ride with and peace of mind knowing my two boys are well cared for, are just a few of the many reasons I love it here!!

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.

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 absolutely recommend Cloverleaf Ranch to any family considering horseback lessons for themselves…read moreor their children. We've been at their ranch since September 2024, and every single staff member we've encountered (including office, groundskeeping, and instructional staff) has presented themselves with the utmost professionalism, kindness, and enthusiasm. They've taught our boys how to ride and care for horses in a safe and skilled manner, all while exhibiting patience, dignity, and grace. They are friendly and welcoming at all times, and I feel no hesitation to trust our instructors with the safety of my children. The safety of their students and horses are of primary concern here--as it should be. I must offer an extra special thank you to Mia and Izzy, who have always made it their goal to teach my kids everything they possibly can about riding and equestrian care. It has been a blessing and a joy to work with them, and we love them both dearly! Thank you, ladies, for your dedicated work, and for always bringing upbeat smiles, wisdom, and positive attitudes to your students. I'd be remiss if I didn't also give honorable mention to Carley, who is not our instructor, but who is often on the training grounds during our appointment time. She makes us feel welcome, and goes out of her way to be friendly and encouraging while we are there. Thank you, Cloverleaf. Your pursuit of excellence in your craft has been of great benefit to our family. Keep up the good work!

Everyone here was so nice. Cassie was an awesome instructor for the lesson and trail ride for my…read moredaughter. She also took some nice photos from me and sent them along right after. Really great place and people!