CALIFORNIA
Claims to Fame: Riding clubs are a California tradition. And though some might contend that the Southern Coast, Central Valley, or even Norco (the self-styled “Horsetown USA” southeast of
Los Angeles) attract more horse folk, the Central Coast is teeming with riding stables. Perhaps the best known of these is the venerable Pebble Beach Equestrian Center (pebblebeach.com/equestriancenter) on the scenic Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County. Among its most popular offerings: guided trail rides and more than 27 miles of equestrian trails through the Del Monte Forest, as well as along the Pacific coastline.
When it comes to show facilities, the Salinas Sports Complex is known for hosting the popular California Rodeo Salinas (carodeo.com) and related events. Paso Robles, considered the birthplace of reined cow horse competitions, recently became home to the National Reined Cow Horse Association-affiliated Mid State Cow Horse Association, offering schooling shows and NRCHA-sanctioned shows at the Triple R Ranch (facebook.com/pasorobleshorses). In addition, the Hearst Equestrian Center at the Paso Robles Event Center (midstatefair.com), which once hosted the NRCHA Derby, is scheduled to continue the big-money reined cow horse tradition with the $70,000-added Paso Robles Spring Classic in April.
Long-distance trail and endurance riding are also big in this region, too. And of course, there are the restaurants, beaches, and proximity to California’s celebrated wine country. If you like to combine your love of riding with wine country, Cass Winery offers rides that allow you to experience the vineyards from the back of a horse. Be sure to check out the hilltop sunset ride to really take in the grandness of the entire property (cctrailrides.com).
Give Me Land, Lots of Land: Welcome to what some call the “big little farm” culture. According to realtor David Norwood, there are 16 cities on the Central Coast with enough land to support horses or larger acreage lots. These include warmer inland locations like Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Creston, and Santa Margarita; cooler inland towns like San Luis Obispo (SLO), Arroyo Grande, and Nipomo; and communities on or near the ocean (Harmony, San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Avila Beach, and Pismo Beach).
Why We Love It: “‘Horse heaven’ describes life on California's Central Coast,” says Sharon Jantzen. “Horseback riders can easily ride every day of the year. Equestrian trails meander through a variety of terrain throughout California’s Central Coast, but truly the icing on the cake is the ability to catch a beautiful beach sunset from the best vantage point—the back of a horse. It’s simply paradise.”