Socal Horse Adventures
Private rides on endurance horses
Private rides on endurance horses
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BEFORE YOU BOOK
To book this ride with us you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You did a lesson or a ride with us in the past 90 days and we told you that you can book this ride. If we did not talk about it, reach out.
- OR You took at least 20 riding lesson in the past 12 months, you are comfortable trotting and cantering in an english saddle AND you are able and willing to provide references/ contact details of your instructor
- OR In the past 6 months you competed in one of the following:
- Show jumping or hunter jumpers with at least 2'6" fences,
- Level 3 or higher dressage,
- Level 2 or higher working equitation
- Successfully completed an AERC sanctioned 25 miles plus endurance ride
- Or You are a full time horse trainer or riding instructor.
If you do not meet at least one of the above criteria, you must book a lesson with us first. Absolutely no exceptions.
Our rides are the most fun horseback riding experience that you will ever have. We are very protective of our horses because they are amazing athletes who deserve the best. These rides are not for riders trying to build their confidence. These are rides for confident riders who can take care of our horses and have fun doing it. Thank you for your understanding!
About the rides
This is the best trail riding experience you can possibly find in California. We will come to your location of choice with our trailer, and we will bring the best trained and conditioned horses that you ever rode. These rides are private- it's just one guide, you, and our horses. Our rides are endurance styles- expect to cover 5-8 miles every hour, mainly in trot. Our rides are expensive, because we take immaculate care for our horses. It takes years to condition them for this kind of rides. They are all relaxed, love their job, and want to be on trails.
These rides are not for beginners- you have to be very comfortable in trot and canter for extended periods. You have to have a great light seat, and very soft hands. We absolutely do not take beginners on trail rides. These are not confidence-building rides. You already have to be an amazing and confident rider before you book. We offer lessons if you want to learn.
How does it work?
- Pick your spot
- Email us about availability. We typically get completely booked about a month in advance. But we can sometimes accommodate shorter notice bookings.We generally do not do rides on the weekends- because all trails get packed with hikers, dogs, and bicycles. But we may be able to make an exception. We only do one ride per day. But you can choose whether its a morning or an evening ride
- We will chat a bit about your experience and expectations and we will tailor the ride to you
- We meet you at the location with our best horses. It's the only thing us and our horses will do that day. We will be fresh, and excited.
- We go and ride at your pace. Our horses are extremely fit and capable of doing more than 50 fast paced miles a day. All of the horses that we bring to these rides have actual endurance competition experience
- Yes, we will trot, canter and even gallop- as long as you're skilled enough to do so safely. Absolutely no bouncing in the saddle allowed. If you do not meet our standards, we will ask you to dismount and walk back to the parking lot.
- We take up to 2 riders with us on our rides. We do not have an interest in making bigger rides happen. We strongly recommend coming on your own. And if you insist on coming with a friend make sure it's someone who have ridden with you before and that you feel confident about them.
- Hydration backpacks are mandatory. If you show up without one, you will not be allowed to ride. We don't want you to get dehydrated on trails and for most people drinking from a bottle while riding in the mountains is too challenging, so we don't make exceptions on this rule.. Bring snacks to get you through the day. Sunglasses and bandanas recommended for dust. Wear hiking or trail running boots' shoes. Dressage boots are great for the arena, but not for trails.
The locations
1. Lake LA Desert
Ride style: Very flat desert landscape with stretches of deep sand. Safe and easy, but keep in mind — on flat rides the horses don’t tire as quickly, so your own stamina will be tested more than on hilly rides.
Distance from ranch: 30 minutes
Price: $400 (1 rider) | $650 (2 riders)
2. Sylmar
Ride style: Beautiful park with open flats, gradual inclines, and scenic views. We start from a parking lot about a mile from the park and reach the trail through a well-groomed path alongside the road.
Price: $550 (1 rider) | $800 (2 riders)
3. Norco — Horse Town USA
Ride style: One of the best rides around. We begin on a riverbed with long, flat stretches perfect for extended trots and canters. Optionally, we’ll ride into town where every sidewalk is horse-friendly and restaurants have tie-downs for lunch. It’s a true Wild West experience — but with traffic, dogs, and city life, so riding skill requirements are stricter than other rides.
Price: $800 (1 rider) | $1,050 (2 riders)
4. Mojave Desert
Ride style: Feels like riding on Mars. Endless flat desert stretches, sandy washes perfect for gallops, and some moderate hills with breathtaking views. Weather can be extreme, so summer rides depend on conditions.
Price: $500 (1 rider) | $750 (2 riders)
5. Simi Valley
Ride style: A challenging, scenic hill climb into the valley’s mountains. Expect steep rocky ascents and a summit view worth the effort. This ride has fewer open, flatter spots but offers a fast-paced endurance feel with lots of trotting and some cantering. For confident riders only.
Price: $650 (1 rider) | $900 (2 riders)
6. Palmdale
Ride style: A safe but big climb into the hills overlooking Antelope Valley. The 12-mile mountain loop offers diverse terrain and beautiful scenery. For an added thrill, we can extend with a 6–8 mile gallop ride across perfectly footed desert roads.
Price: $400 (1 rider) | $650 (2 riders)
Optional add-on: +$150 per person for extended desert gallop
7. Burbank — Hollywood Ride
Ride style: Possibly the most iconic ride in the world. A challenging 18-mile loop with hills and flat stretches, taking you to views of the Hollywood Sign and all of Los Angeles from the city’s highest peak. Usually 3.5–5 hours.
Price: $700 (1 rider) | $950 (2 riders)
8. Glacier Lakes
Ride style: Our personal favorite. About 3 hours north into the high mountains. Starts at 9,500 ft elevation and climbs over 12,000 ft. The trail winds through water crossings, steep rocky climbs, and untouched wilderness where only hikers and horses can go. Stunning, but challenging.
Price: $1,050 (1 rider) | $1,300 (2 riders)
Optional: Available as a multi-day camping trip
9. Wrightwood
Ride style: A dramatic mountain climb to over 9,000 ft elevation, covering parts of the Pacific Crest Trail. The 16-mile loop is tough, usually taking 6+ hours, but the views are unforgettable. Best for riders who don’t mind heights and love true mountain adventures.
Price: $800 (1 rider) | $1,050 (2 riders)
If you want to know more about the locations, ask us. We can send you pictures and recommendations.
The rules
We have a few rules, that are very important to keeping everyone safe.
- Keep your distance- we make sure to keep at least 6 feet between the horses
- No bouncing on horses- we love riding fast, but never at the expense of our horses. If you are not able to be soft on the horses back, we will not allow you to trot or canter. If you're unsure- come for a lesson first
- Soft hands- our horses are very fine tuned and responsive. Please do not hurt them by riding with constant pressure
- Guided riding- we do not rent horses out. Our guide will be riding with you at all rimes
- Helmets are required- most people bring their own but we have some available as well.
- Please, let us know in advance if one of your group members cannot make it. We cannot leave a horse behind. If one of the people in the party do not show up, the ride will be cancelled without a refund. If you give us a few hours heads up- this won't be a problem. We will just leave the extra horse at the ranch.
- Consider coming on your own if you are not sure if your friends can keep up- you can bring them next time.
- Bring your hiking boots and tons of water. Dress to protect yourself from the sun. We may have to hike besides horses for considerable distance if trail conditions are not great. Check the weather beforehand and if you think it may be too hot/ cold/ rainy etc. reach out to reschedule.
- We will be riding in a remote area with potentially difficult access to medical services. Be ready for that.
- Horses safety is our priority. We never had an injury on a trail. But if we did, we would jump off and walk the horses back to the trailer.
- 220 lbs weight limit and you have to be able to mount a 16 hands horse from the ground without help or a mounting block. We will be in remote areas and you may have to get off during the ride.
- Have fun- we hope that this will be the best ride of your life.
Payment terms: 30% deposit required to book. The rest is due 48 hours before the ride. Our system will automatically cancel the ride if you don't make your full payment and we won't chase you for it.




