horse rides to camp, to fishing the lakes, to sight see alpine country
There are so many gorgeous mountains and high deserts in California, that just choosing a perfect horseback ride destination can actually be fun. Browse this extensive list of all local providers. City folks need to consider the colder weather at the higher elevations: bring jackets, hats and warmer clothing.
SoCal areas for horseback are Big Bear, Idyllwild, and San Diego. Horse riding Central Coast regions could consider these places Big Sur, Carmel and Paso Robles. NorCal Coast has the Sea Ranch, Mendocino; but the Sierra Nevada and Gold Country are prime destinations with wildflower creek beds and oak foothills all they way up to the high country alpine granite splendor. Horseback rides in CA
Overnight horseback riding
Also called pack trips, or pack trains, these are trained animals (horsea, donkeys, mules, or llamas) that carry your heavy load up the mountain, while you hike solo nearby. Or you can ride the horse, and have another horse carry the gear. Many high elevation back-country can be reached this way – in the warmer months, after the snow has melted. Sierra lake fishing trips by horseback are very popular tours. Find outfitters in Cali for horses, or check out the Llama Trips.
see also – Horse Drawn Carriage Rental
Here is a list of some of California’s most horse friendly towns, some of which have limited winter access:
- BIG BEAR CITY
- BISHOP
- DARDANELLE
- GOLD LAKE
- IDYLLWILD
- JULIAN
- JUNE LAKE
- KENNEDY MEADOWS
- KERNVILLE
- KINGS CANYON
- LAKE TAHOE
- PINE MOUNTAIN
- PIONEERTOWN
- RAMONA
- RANDSBURG
- SEQUOIA
- SIERRA CITY
- TRUCKEE
- YOSEMITE
