We had a great horseback riding experience! Things went pretty smoothly with booking (we called to…read morereserve), 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.

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

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!

What more can be said about Garrod Farms that hasn't already been felt by so many? For countless…read moreriders, this is the place where we first sat on a horse, felt the excitement of riding, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Garrod Farms is more than a barn--it is a place filled with joy, friendship, and an unmistakable sense of community. From the moment you arrive, you can feel the positive energy that surrounds the property. It truly feels like a place from a dream. One of my greatest fears is the thought of this special place ever disappearing, because it has become home to so many families, riders, and horse lovers. The Garrod family deserves tremendous recognition for everything they do. This is a true family-owned and operated business, built through hard work, dedication, and genuine passion. There is always someone on the property working on improvements, maintaining the grounds, or finding ways to make the experience even better for everyone. The amount of effort required to care for such a large facility is extraordinary, and their commitment never goes unnoticed. The farm offers some of the best arena footing in the area, beautiful indoor and outdoor arenas, and direct access to miles of scenic trails where riders can relax and enjoy time with their horses. It is a safe and welcoming environment that has been serving children, families, and equestrians for generations. Their horseback riding lessons, whether private or group, are exceptional and suitable for riders of all experience levels. They also offer some of the best vaulting lessons in the area, giving students a unique opportunity to develop balance, confidence, athleticism, and horsemanship in a fun and supportive environment. The horse camps are among the best around, and the only complaint anyone seems to have is that they fill up too quickly. The local horse shows provide riders with valuable opportunities and motivation, while the boarding program offers quality care at a reasonable price. Special events for boarders create an even stronger sense of community and make being part of Garrod Farms feel truly special. Beyond the horses, the winery adds another layer of charm. Great music, beautiful scenery, and wonderful people make it a place where memories are created and shared. There is always a sense of warmth and happiness in the air. Garrod Farms is more than a facility--it is home. It is a place where friendships are formed, confidence is built, and dreams begin. God bless Jan, Vicky, Cory, and the entire Garrod family for everything they do. Their dedication has touched the lives of so many people, and their contributions to the community deserve recognition and support every single day.

My friend from Germany wanted to ride a horse while visiting the states, so I very last minute…read morecalled Garrod to see if they had any availability. I was easily able to book a private guided ride with just the two of us and an expert rider. Our guide was so nice and equipped us with everything we needed to have a safe, but fun trip. You can tell the horses are very well taken care of and loved by the staff at the stables. The tour itself had beautiful views overseeing Los Gatos. It was a reasonably priced experience and absolutely worth it!

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!

My friend Leslie and I enjoyed a one hour trail ride with Romero yesterday. We loved every step!…read more Romero was very informative on many topics. I'm a beginner, so he instructed me on correct hand positions and signals for my horse, "Dixie". Leslie is a more experienced rider and she handled her horse "Cookie" beautifully. Romero pointed out everything to view along the trail: a sweet cormorant in a pond, an osprey nest way up high in a tree and a mother quail with her tiny babies who were scurrying around in the underbrush. What a peaceful way to spend a Friday morning. Thank you Romero and thank you Five Brooks Ranch. We look forward to our next ride!

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.

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

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.

This is a review of both the ranch and one of the trainers, Jerry. I've taken three lessons over a…read moreperiod of about s month and these are first impressions. The horses are well kept and the barn very tidy. There are excellent outdoor paddocks for the horses, and everyone seems to pitch in and keep the tacking area clean. I don't own a horse currently but did twenty years ago and I would be very comfortable keeping a horse here from what I've seen so far. Speaking of getting into horses after a twenty year break? Jerry has been a top notch instructor. He is patient, insightful and challenging in a rigorous yet empathetic way. I was nervous to be riding again after so long. Mostly because I didn't want to be condescended to and because I knew I'd not be very good at first on some things and ok at others. I needed a challenge but I didn't want to waste time. Jerry handled this complicated situation with ease. I would effortlessly and highly recommend him for older students coming back or first time riders. He easily analyzed and assessed where I was at within the first lesson, graduated me to more challenging exercises the second lesson. But in my second lesson I exceeded my comfort zone and he could tell without me even asking. We went back to a simpler way to ride that was just perfect reset of where I should be, giving me confidence in myself and his instruction. But he's not just a beginner instructor, as he has mentioned in passing his expertise with 4 ft plus jumping. One last thing. The barn is owned by the parks department. It's a working person's barn. No snooty bullshit. Solid riding areas. I highly recommend Jerry and Skyline ranch.

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.