Do you have a bucket list with things that you want to do? I try to cross a least one thing off my bucket list every year. So far I have crossed off a nice variety of things like go sky diving, hot air ballooning and traveling to Europe. Horseback riding on the beach has been on my bucket list for a very long time. When I was fifteen I was too young to go horseback riding on the beach on one of the islands we visited. Now that I am back in California and not too far from the beach I started doing my research to find out what cities offered this type of experience. I found a company in San Diego that offers beach rides but their prices are very high and they had quite a few rules. Last week my Mom and I went on a trip to Monterey, CA and she looked up horseback riding on the beach there before we left.
For some odd reason it had never occurred to me that we might be able to do this in the Monterey area. As it would turn out the Monterey Bay Equestrian Center offers beach rides in Castroville for much better prices than the places in San Diego. It is $80 for a one hour beach ride which was perfect because I would have been way too sore for 90 minutes on a horse. Someone from the center will meet you at the beach where you will pay and sign some paperwork. They will need a credit card to reserve your spot but you can pay with a different card in person if you would like to. Be sure to know the height and weight of all members of your party so that they can be prepared with the right horses. Bridget was who we met in the parking lot and she was so kind and helpful. My Mom and I ended up being the only two riders so we ended up with a private experience that made us feel like VIPs. The beach that we rode on had less than 10 people on it so the experience could not have been more relaxing.
My Mom gave Bridget her phone so that she could take pictures for us and she did a great job. We were shocked to find over 100 pictures on her phone which was fantastic. It was so hard to narrow down the pictures for this blog post as she took some great ones for us. Everything about this experience was such a blessing for me. I was so happy to get to share this experience with my Mom who is the best adventure buddy. I had expected it to be a little cool that day but I was so pleased that the weather was perfect and I didn’t even need a jacket. They offer rides at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. I chose 2pm because I wanted to increase my chances of the sky not being overcast. It was a beautiful day which only added to the incredible experience.
Our guide Bridget was on a horse as well but she rode off to the side so that she could take these great pictures for us. We were in the water off and on but never deep enough to get wet. Not only was the view stunning but I was just so thrilled that I was finally getting to do something I had dreamed about for years. I ended up having this incredible adventure 12 miles away from a college I attended. I love finding new experiences and adventures in places that I had been to before and this is one that I would highly recommend. You do not need to be an experienced rider to be able to enjoy this. Horseback riding on the beach is a family friendly activity that I think all ages would enjoy.
Both my Mom and I were sore from the ride for the next few days but it was not too bad. If you ever have the opportunity to go horseback riding on the beach I highly encourage you to do it. In addition to checking out a company’s website I would also recommend checking them out on yelp or trip advisor as well. After having such a friendly guide who was more than happy to take pictures for us I would be disappointed to do this somewhere else and not receive the same type of treatment.
Would you like to go horseback riding on the beach?
I have always wanted to do this! My best friend did this and she loved it!! Looks like so much fun!
Looks like you had a blast!!! I went horseback riding on the beach as a kid, but I would love to take my horses to the coast sometime! That is definitely on my bucket list! Loved the photos by the way!
Horseback riding is on my bucket list! My bucket list is quite long – so many places to see!
Wow what a beautiful experience! I would love to horseride on the beach! I rode one once when I was little.. horses scare me a tad…and they know it..so not a good combo..ha! Monterey is gorgeous..I went there often in my college days in Stockton, CA
Thanks for sharing..!
Valerie
Wow! What a beautiful, fabulous day in Monterey! I’m a California girl too and I had no idea that in Monterey there was horseback riding on the beach. Thanks for sharing this great info. I’d love to experience this wonderful beach activity with both of my daughters on an upcoming visit. :-)
I have always wanted to do this but I’m too scared. Even though I have had riding lessons for 5 years I’m too chicken to ride on the beach. Look amazing though xx Manon
So fun!! This has been on my bucket list forever. I’m hoping to cross it off during my honeymoon!
This is so beautiful! It looks like you had an amazing time! Thanks for sharing :)
kristinacamille.com
This is such a great activity for everyone to enjoy, looks like so much fun… Your mum is so cool! :)
Yes! This is definitely on my bucket list! This looks amazing!
xo Ashley
This is something I have dreamt to do for years, but I don’t have a companionship. You are so lucky! The photos and the views are breathtaking.
http://www.siniciliya.com
This looks like a dream and a must do!! AMAZING!! xo
This looks like such a wonderful experience, and now that I think about it, I’ve never been horseback riding on the beach either!! Definitely on my bucket list now! I had no idea that Monterey had this experience, I’m from Santa Cruz, so next time I’m home I will be looking into this. :)
What beautiful pictures! I have some fond memories of horseback riding as a child, but haven’t been in many years.. I think your post might make me go out and find somewhere to do some horseback riding!
Hubby and I rode horses on the beach when we were in cabo!!! Such an amazing experience
Horseback riding on the beach is on my bucket list too! I’m currently traveling close to Monterey, but I don’t think I’ll get around to it this trip. Definitely something that I’ll come back for. Thank you!
This is something I’ve always wanted to do. The first chance I get, I’m going to do it.
Aw glad you had a good time and a beach with less than 10 people is a rare sight indeed. That must have been so peaceful!
I haven’t been on a horse in years. It sounds like you guys had a blast.
How awesome !! We got married in outer banks North Carolina and they have wild horses in the beach I loved it !!!
This looks fabulous, love going to the coast!
Horseback riding on the beach is one of my favorite spots to ride. Riding in the surf of Torremolinos, Spain is one of my favorite memories.
Well im scared of horses, but you made it look fun and not scary =), maybe someday i could try it out!
Oh wow. This is the only time I have seen horseback riding on the beach and not have the people wearing either a skimpy swimsuit or medieval outfits.
I never thought about doing this or if it was even possible, really. That’s quite an experience and it’s really worth the trip. I’m glad you were able to cross this off your list. Good job!
Sounds like a very fun activity! I have always wanted to do this
A bucket list item for sure! It looks like you had a great time.
That reminds me of my younger days riding our horses on the beach! I would love to do that again one day!
Ohhh that looks so nice!! I’m sure you had a great time in the sunshine & sand – yesssss.
That looks like such an amazing experience! I’ve been horseback riding many times in my life but never on the beach! I’m adding it to my bucket list!
I am actually quite scared of horses as I had a bad experience when I was little with one. But my 6 year old daughter keeps asking me if she can have a horse and have riding lessons
What a fun adventure and definitely something I have on my bucket list also.
I love horses!
And it’s amazing how your list is going so far.
And she really did an awesome job with the photos!
Thanks for sharing your adventures.
What a beautiful day! It looks like you and your mom had an amazing time! Horses make me nervous so I’m not sure this would be first on my list but it certainly looks fun!
I will just watch from a safe distance as I am not going on that horse….LOL
These are awesome photos. It would be amazing to ride a horse on the beach.
This is definitely something I would like to try. It’s total bucket list like you said, and SoCal is the perfect location.
This looks soo fun! What a great adventure! I never have done this
What an enjoyable activity! I would love to do this!
O wow, Horseback riding on the beach! Its really picture perfect!!!!
I do have bucket lists. I only began to have them after developing a serious illness. I should have done these a long time ago becaused its a great feeling. I love horseback riding on the beach
I actually did do horseback riding in Jamaica! It was a great experience! The horse even went into the water OMG!