Heaven on a Horseback

Monterey Adventure Getaways

Take a steady steed through rugged mountain terrain, or ride gently along soft sandy beaches – Monterey has a fairly large and diverse set of equestrian trails for you to take your favorite stallion or perhaps just rent a gentle mare.

Molera Horseback Tours:
831-625-5486
Open weather permitting, usually April through December
Molera Horseback Tours is located in Andrew Molera State Park 22 miles south of Carmel on Hwy 1. These accompanied group tours on the beach last one to two hours and cost $25 to $60 (per person, horse included). You can also rent a horse for a private ride and novices are welcome.

Pebble Beach Trail Rides:
831-624-2756
Full Service Equestrian Center, open year round, seven days a week
Family forest rides and group beach rides leave four times a day, seven days a week. Enjoy wildflowers, stunning views, and add a gentle rolling pace to your day. Group tours are about an hour and cost approximately $50 per person. Private tours are slightly longer and cost $70 to $110. For the wee set (ages 3 to 6) pony rides on the grounds are also available.

Holman Ranch
831-659-6054
Open all year round, seven days a week
The Holman Ranch is a 392-acre country estate in Carmel Valley, California (about 12.5 miles from Carmel). Trail rides are $60 per person for one hour; $90 for two hours. Escorted pony rides are also available.

Monterey Bay Equestrian Center
(831) 663-5712
Open all year round, seven days a week
Day camps, horse and buggy rentals, beach rides. Beach rides range from $65 per person for one hour, to $110 for two hours. Reservations are necessary for the beach rides, as the horses are brought to the beach specifically for your ride.

Reservations should be made for your horseback riding adventure. Some rides fill up quickly and need as much as a week’s advance notice; others can be made that day or a day or two in advance.

If you have your own horse, Garland Park, Toro Park, Zmudowski State Beach, and Jacks Peak County Park have equestrian trails.