Saddle Up With These Beautiful Places to Ride Horseback in Northern California

The winter months can be a beautiful time to enjoy outdoor adventures in the Golden State, and many aren’t limited to skiing and snowboarding. When the air is cool and crisp on the coast, why not bundle up and enjoy a gorgeous ride seaside on horseback? 7×7 featured a few of their favorite rides in Northern California, and we’re all in for the sandy saunter. Here are a couple highlights:

Sea Horse Ranch

“Half Moon Bay, off California’s Pacific Coast Highway, might be known for gnarly waves and home to Pillar Point and Mavericks surf spot, but you’ll find sea horses there, too. No, these aren’t the type of seahorses that swim in the ocean. Instead, they take riders down by the seashore. Driving south on Highway 1 you’ll find them resting under the shade of eucalyptus trees, sand under their hooves. These bomb-proof horses (meaning they won’t spook at flying kites or barking dogs running on the beach) are available seven days a week for rides on Poplar Beach. Rides range from one-hour beach/ocean view to two-hour trail and beach rides.”

1828 Cabrillo Hwy N. in Half Moon Bay, seahorseranch.org

Five Brooks Ranch

“Bolinas residents may not want you to find their coastal community, going so far as to take down directional signs, but next-door neighbor Olema rolls out the welcome mat for day-tripping visitors. Only 30 miles from San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore offers 120 miles of trails for bikers and hikers, and the scenic area may also be explored by horseback. Five Brooks Ranch offers a unique way to tour Wildcat Beach and Alamere Falls.”

8001 Highway 1 in Olema, fivebrooks.com

Get the complete list here.