What an incredible summer! My 13 yr old niece went to Resident Camp this summer and had the time of…read moreher life! She has never done a sleep away camp before and she was VERY nervous about spending time away from her family. (And her freeking phone.) The staff there did such a great job calming her nerves and tackling her fears. She sent us a letter telling us she didn't ever want to leave. I have never heard someone talk about a zip line so much. Her counselor Reef was fantastic. We can't wait to sign her up for next summer! Thank you for teaching her there are much better things in this world than spending all your time on your phone. She will walk into middle school this year with a bold new outlook and camp friends too.

I feel like parents should know the teen leaders they employ are from some summer study abroad…read more program and are boys sent here from other countries (New Zealand, Australia, etc.) and they aren't allowed to disclose their names (my daughter's camp leader was named "Cobra"). I didn't feel comfortable with this arrangement and am glad I didn't sign my daughter up for sleep-away camp. She enjoyed the day camp but the staff seemed more concerned with protecting themselves rather than allowing parents to protect their children. I was expecting some nice local horse riding girls to mentor her and instead had to leave her with boys who wouldn't tell me their names. She won't be back.

It was my wife's birthday and it was a special landmark birthday, so I told her to do something…read moreexciting that she would love to do and all of us are completely off the hook pleased with how wonderful this whole experience took place. Amber was our fabulous wrangler. We checked in at the office and they gave us instructions to drive down the highway to another location where the horses would be waiting for us at the trailhead. This is where we met up with Amber and her dogs and the horses. The horses names are Kiki (Ambers), Quinn ( my wife's horse), Traveler ( my daughter's horse, and I got old but dependable Walter the former draught horse. We found out after a while that no matter how tall you are how big you are they have a horse for you and you just call up and tell them what your needs are and then make sure that you get a horse that suited it to you. Let them know whether you're novice or an experienced rider. That makes a difference in the selection, but all the horses are sweet. I cannot tell you how incredible it is to ride through the dunes and pop out onto the beach, looking at those white sands and crashing waves. It was such a beautiful day to go out. I want to go back.

My wife and I decided to spend a lovely brisk day riding horses on the beach! We've both been…read morehorseback riding, but never combined into one activity such as this. My wife was paired with Matty and Zero (his horse), and I was with Christina and her horse (forget the name).... For my wife, she had a lovely time. Her horse gave a little sass. Sometimes it wanted to just pace, other times there was a little trot for playing catch up, but she enjoyed the extra little ride boost. For my ride, although I very much enjoy conversation and Christina was a very knowledgeable and friendly host, I do wish that I had been able to experience more of the ride experience in quietude. Taking in the views and talking with my wife a little more. Instead, I feel like Christina and I were sharing our life stories. Although I am not faulting her for the mutual conversation...... I just wish that the guides would keep it to the ride and landscapes vs trying to chat. The experience and this business is very lovely. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that I was able to text with the staff prior to answer any questions. I always prefer texting to phone calls these days. I would absolutely recommend Horse N Around to any of my friends that want to enjoy this type of activity. Again, I just wish that it was more about the serene experience, the horses, and beach vibes, with less chatter all around. Thank you to the team at large! From planning, to paying, directions, waiting patiently as we almost got lost, and giving us a nice ride. Thank you!

My boyfriend surprised me for my birthday by taking us to Sonoma for the weekend. The highlight was…read morewaking up Sunday morning for a horseback ride with one of the most beautiful views. Our guide was wonderful and friendly, the horses were absolute gems, and overall this is one of the best trail ride experiences I've ever had. Getting the mountains, water, and some redwoods was fantastic! We were fortunate to be in a small group (us and two others). It made the ride feel more intimate. I rode El Negro and highly recommend. His gait is smooth! (He is a walking horse after all). My boyfriend rode Leslie who was a bit slow and liked to trail at the back but sure footed and a sweetheart. We ended the ride with a glass of wine overlooking the lake. This space is often use for weddings as well and I can absolutely see the appeal! I would love to go back some day!!

If you only read one review, read this one! First, their music venue offering is quite good,…read morebeverage service in more than one area, usually food and ice cream, vendors varying event to event, live music, dancing, roping, cornhole. After going to the music venue for a summer, our son decided to get married there, and at first everything went smoothly, the owner we dealt with was Nikki and she was quite a good communicator, friendly and engaging, business like, although became a brusque and a bit snippy as the wedding grew closer. Our wedding planner sheltered us from most of it but said "this is how she talked to me the entire time". Not quite what we expected when you are throwing $10K + their way for a 5 hour time slot. Note: The bride bought her wedding dress from The Ranch during a wedding dress expo they put on. We invested in these people!!!! The 1-star is because when the wedding was complete and we were cleaning up, it was discovered we had danced on some rose petals in one section of the concrete in the barn, there was some staining from the red petals which we offered to clean up. At this point we were dealing with the husband, not Nikki. He didn't allow us to try to clean, as he was worried the cleaning might harm the sealer. He said it was sealed once a year, but in a manner that wasn't visible, nor an actual vapor barrier to the concrete as it can't be slippery when wet for safety. He said they had the concrete mottled with a brownish color and didn't want to possibly harm that with our cleaning. We were going to use water and Dawn dish soap as a start, mixing with some rubbing alcohol if needed, this is safe for concrete and grout. You can view previous pictures from others with time stamps, my pictures are time stamped 6/27/26 and you can "maybe" see what they are talking about, you can also see the concrete is far from perfect, many marks, cracks and stains. So, while we offered to clean it that night, or the next morning, we were refused. My son had taken out a $1MILLION insurance policy for this 5 hour event, and The Ranch has kept our $250 safety/cleaning deposit and filed a claim with the insurance, which is a $1000 deductible to us + the $200 for the policy. We also have email from Nikki exclaiming surprise that we are "coming at them this way". (Offering the insurance policy???) We tried to clean, were denied, and offered the insurance as well, what more could we do...but more importantly folks, this is a horse ranch! They didn't even clean up all the poop in the yard where we could walk! But our rose petals were the breaking point? It is noteworthy that there is NO clause in their contract denying rose petals. This is a wedding, so it's quite common for a flower girl to toss petals in the aisle. They are claiming that this concrete is special, was treated to simulate the look of leather because they are a horse ranch, and our rose petals have stained the concrete ruining the vibe for their music events and future weddings. (We have been to music events where they have had large carpets covering the entire seating area, with chairs on top, effectively hiding this concrete and the leather vibe they claim to want to portray. The staining was so very minor that we are worried the insurance will deny the claim and come after our son personally. Think about this for a minute - wedding, roses, minor staining that they have probably already cleaned up, it's a ranch where horses walk and do their thing, and they are making a really really large deal about this. I think this speaks to their character and just want anyone else looking to have their event here, to consider our experience. For us, we will not be attending another music event, we will share our experience with all that we know, and I hope that somehow the owners learn from this, and relax their stance and attitude a little, and realize that folks don't go to a horse ranch or a music venue to inspect the concrete. If this wasn't so serious for us, it would quite a laughable manner. Thank you if you have read this far. IMPORTANT: If the owners read this review and contact us to drop this frivolous claim, I will remove, or edit this review to 5-stars, because other then the "staining and complaining" this was a 5+ star experience for the rest of us!!!

Convenient location. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff, beautiful setting, nice horses, fair…read moreprices, got in last minute for an 11am Salmon Creek ride. It was my first time on a horse at the age of 41 and it was awesome. I'd for sure go back!

Went with my friend on a private Salmon Creek ride. It was quite lovely. Beautiful scenery and…read morethe weather was perfect. Jay was an engaging and attentive guide. He regularly checked in to see that we were comfortable with the pace (my friend is a beginner rider). The horses seem well cared for and were relaxed on the trail. Sophie, who accompanied us, was also knowledgeable and interactive. Thank you both for a most enjoyable ride. i would definitely recommend Five Brooks if you want to experience some lovely trails around Bodega Bay.

I'm a lifelong horse-lover. I grew up riding and showing Saddlebred horses in Oklahoma. After…read morecollege and moving to California I found myself 8 years out of the saddle. I never really thought I could find a trainer or facility that compared to where I grew up riding. Then I found Brigitte Scholl and Monarch on the American Saddle Horse Association website in January of 2010. Monarch Stables is the best barn I could ever have imagined. The facility is beautiful, well-equipped, and serene. Most importantly, Brigitte Scholl, the owner and trainer is a true horse whisperer and a gifted riding instructor. She operates every aspect of Monarch Stables with passion and integrity. Every horse is cared for immaculately and in a manner uniquely suited to his/her personality. Every rider has Brigitte's undivided attention. If you're a veteran rider or a novice who's always wanted to give Saddleseat riding a shot, you will be equally welcomed. If your child has been bugging you for horseback riding lessons, go for it! In my opinion there's no better outlet: through horseback riding they can learn the subtleties of communication with both horses and people, the responsibility of caring for an animal, the self-confidence that comes from competing with true sportsmanship.

I've been so impressed with Monarch Stables. My 7 year old granddaughter started her initiation…read moreinto this wonderful world of horses last September. She had had the best experience one could have with the expertise, and extraordinary patience! of her trainer Cheyenne Cairns. The facilities are in a beautiful setting, and there are many options for riding - even in inclement weather! I am a complete novice to this sport, and everyone I've met have been very helpful and supportive. From my first visit in 2018, Brigitte Scholl has always been warm and patient with my questions and concerns. I highly recommend this facility for anyone, and especially for folks new to the sport. Thanks to all at Monarch Stables!

Thank you Dominic for a wonderful ride! My husband and I did the private hour and a half ride in…read morejack London state park. We rode sunny and Annie, both horses were amazing and rescue horses. You can tell from the moment you arrive the horses are well taken care of and loved. For me, that is the most important thing I look for when trying to find a place to ride. We were lucky enough that we could trot our horses a little as we were the first ride out and no one was on the trail. You will be responsible for your own horse, and you are given clear direction on how to have an enjoyable ride before you leave the grounds. I felt very safe and comfortable out riding, and we will be repeat customers and can't wait to go riding again. Thank you!!!

Brought the family out to wine country for a long weekend to get away during the pandemic. We like…read moreto go horseback riding wherever we go and this place does not disappoint. At first I thought an hour and a half was not going to be enough time, but given the rigor of horseback riding up a steep incline with lots of switchbacks, it was perfect. Our guide was amazing, and the view was spectacular. The horses were very gentle and knew their way. Loved having two dogs along the trail with us, as well. I noticed that they are putting in a couple of tiny houses for people to stay on site. I intend to book one of those as soon as we can. Highly highly recommend.

Incredibly peaceful and affordable place to come and visit…read more For literally 23 years my family went to this ranch until it was sold to the current owners. We missed it so much that we decided to come back and visit, and we were not disappointed! There have been a few much needed changes and we couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I created a video that should show you just a taste of what it's like to visit. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJCNIGGHb8

I had stayed here 3 years ago when it was known as Highland Ranch, and had an exceptional…read moreexperience back then. When I booked a couple of nights at the now Blackbird Farms for this month, I was hoping that it would be the way I remembered it. I was not disappointed! We came for the horseback riding and were pleased to ride well-trained horses that were clearly well cared for. All the meals were delicious and fresh, as BF now grows all their own vegetables and fruits, and they purchase meat from local sources. The cabins were freshened up with some paint and A/C. A wonderful place to go for a little R & R.

I contacted Erin to do an evaluation for me since I was quite a distance from the barn and I had a…read moreback injury. She was excellent in providing all the information I needed to make an informed decision about a horse. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.

Erin (and her assistant Katie) are awesome -- best instructors for kids (really individuals of all…read moreages). Erin clearly knows her stuff! She is an accomplished rider herself which doesn't always necessarily translate into being a great instructor, but in Erin's case, she is not only a talented rider, but also instructor. My 6 year old daughter absolutely loves her (and Katie) and counts the days until her next lesson! They have helped nurture a passion for horses. Erin really takes her time and is so genuine! She teaches horsemanship, not just riding which I think is so important. I have been around horses my whole life and have trained with countless instructors when I was younger. Finding the right instructor for my daughter was important to me. I wanted her to be able to build a relationship with her instructor as well as the horse. You don't get this at a lot of lesson facilities, especially for beginner riders. A lot of barns feel cold and very business like -- you get on the horse, you ride for 25-30 minutes and then go home -- not with Erin and Katie. I have never felt rushed. It is a totally different experience riding at her facility -- it is fun, educational, safe, and my daughter has gotten so much out of her lessons in just 6 months. I feel so lucky that a friend referred us (Her daughter goes to school with my daughter and was riding with Erin). As another reviewer pointed out, Erin is so gentle, yet not afraid to push a little in a good way. She has given my daughter so much confidence. My daughter has made so much progress thanks to All the Kings Horses. It is a whole family experience visiting Erin's ranch in Calistoga -- even my 4 year old has a blast! And we have all fallen in love with Erin's lesson ponies/horses! I can't say enough about All the King's Horses.