Guided Horseback Riding in Sonoma County
Whether cantering swiftly on a beach at sunset with waves crashing alongside, stepping through a thick forest comfortably astride a gentle horse, or riding alongside neat rows of lush grapevines – whatever your horseback riding dream may be, you’ll find it in Sonoma County. Mostly, horseback riding can be done all year in Sonoma County. Though winter can be a bit muddier, sunshine often comes along, even in the middle of January and February, to help dry the trails.
Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
Here’s an alphabetically arranged list of companies offering guided horseback riding in Sonoma County:
Chanslor Stables
Chanslor Stables, a working western horse ranch, offers guided horseback trail rides with breathtaking ocean views. Follow miles of trails to lofty mountaintops, grassy meadows, coastal dunes, or the beach. Private rides are available, including a private picnic ride.
Horse ‘n Around Trail Rides
Horse ‘n Around Trail Rides offers a 60-minute ride through scenic sand dunes with panoramic views of the Bodega Bay harbor and Sonoma Coastline. There’s also a 90-minute beach ride with views of the dunes and harbor, plus riding along a long stretch of beach. Or choose a trail ride on the Hagemann Ranch Trout Farm, an incredible family-owned ranch with gorgeous views of the rolling coastal hills.
The Ranch at Lake Sonoma Horseback Riding
The Ranch at Lake Sonoma offers guided horseback rides with stunning views overlooking the Dry Creek Valley, Lake Sonoma, and the rugged Rockpile wine region. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Healdsburg, The Ranch offers a wilderness experience on horseback, wandering through Sonoma County’s largest 17,000-acre park. A variety of trail rides are available, from those suited for more timid or first-time riders to more challenging treks for thrill seekers.
Rollin F Ranch
Rollin F Ranch outside of Sebastopol offers a one-hour scenic horseback tour of a private working ranch in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. Owned by the Fiddler family for more than 100 years and four generations, Rollin F Ranch grows Pinot Noir and Petite Sirah wine grapes, organic Gravenstein apples, and wild blackberries, with vegetable and flower gardens scattered around. Enjoy views of the local mountain ranges as you ride through vineyards, huge oak groves, and woodlands.
Sonoma Valley Trail Rides
Explore a beautiful winery by riding through the vines on seasoned, gentle horses with the help of an experienced, friendly guide from Sonoma Valley Trail Rides. As an option, after your ride, you can enjoy a world-class wine tasting and/or picnic designed especially for you. Rides are available at winery venues or at an art and nature preserve, with horses suitable for riders of all experience levels. Riders must be 12 years or older; weight limit is 225 pounds. Trail rides are offered year-round.
Triple Creek Horse Outfit
Triple Creek Horse Outfit, located in Sonoma Valley’s Glen Ellen, offers guided Wine Country rides at Jack London State Historic Park, where the celebrated author lived and maintained his Beauty Ranch along 20+ miles of trails. This state park boasts some of the finest riding trails in the world, past acres of premium wine-producing vineyards through open oak woodlands and shady groves of tall redwoods.
Riding On Your Own
If you have your own horse, these state and county parks offer equestrian trails:
Sonoma County Parks
- Cloverdale River Park
- Crane Creek Regional Park
- Doran Regional Park
- Foothill Regional Park
- Helen Putnam Regional Park
- Hood Mountain Regional Park
- North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park
- Ragle Ranch Regional Park
- Riverfront Regional Park
- Shiloh Ranch Regional Park
- Sonoma Valley Regional Park
- Spring Lake Regional Park
- Taylor Mountain Regional Park
- Tolay Lake Regional Park
California State Parks
- Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
- Austin Creek State Recreation Area
- Jack London State Historic Park
- Salt Point State Park
- Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
- Trione-Annadel State Park
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez
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