We've been meaning to plan a horseback riding excursion for the past five years during our Thanksgiving weekends at Cachuma Lake Campground. This year, we finally made it happen--and it was everything we hoped for and more. After searching Yelp for nearby stables, this ranch stood out with the best reviews by far, (now I see why), so our hopes were high. I'm so glad we decided to trust the reviews and drive the extra 15-20 minutes to this place. I was tempted by the value of the half-day ride, but since it had been several years since either of us had been on horseback, we decided to go conservative and chose the 1.5-hour trail ride instead. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Jack, who checked us in and handled the paperwork. He was funny, friendly, and efficient--such a great start to the experience. I grew up riding English, with all the rules drilled into me from childhood, so being told (for only the second time in my life!) that I didn't have to wear a helmet felt almost rebellious. Yes, I know safety matters, and yes, my daughter was smart enough to wear one--but I have to admit, it felt wonderfully freeing. Russell was fantastic as well. Our horses were fully tacked and waiting, ready for us to hop on. As someone accustomed to doing much of the prep work myself, it felt strange--and a bit indulgent--to have mounting steps and a completely ready-to-go horse. My old riding instructors would be ashamed and shaking their heads at me. Though I felt a little "spoonfed," I know this is a huge perk for beginners or anyone unfamiliar with horses. Personally, I would've enjoyed grooming or prepping my horse, but that's not the norm for organized trail rides like this. After the ride, Russell was right there to help us dismount, cracking jokes and keeping us laughing the whole time. I had to laugh when he said, "You're just like me--good looking and short on legs!" Our trail guide, Elrich (Elrick?6, was excellent. Our group was small--just my daughter and me, plus one other couple. My daughter and I are both experienced English riders, while the other couple had never ridden before. Elrich struck the perfect balance, giving the beginners enough guidance without making the ride dull for the rest of us. While I always love a bit more trotting and cantering, I know that's not typical for these types of outings, and honestly, I had an absolute blast just being on a horse again. I've missed it so much. My daughter and I are already planning to return next year for the 2.5-hour ride. The trail itself? Absolutely breathtaking. I've been riding since childhood--now over 60--and have been on countless trail rides. This is, truly the most beautiful trail I've ever experienced. Waterfalls, streams, a few ocean views and stunning mountain scenery... it was spectacular from start to finish. If you're choosing between this ranch and nearby stables, I highly recommend trying this one first. You won't be disappointed, It's a wonderful experience, a gorgeous trail, and a fantastic way to spend the day. read more

This Ranch is so beautiful the pictures don't do justice! I've been on many horse back rides all over the US and the guide from Montana that does the tours is phenomenal! He loves what he does, is very knowledgeable, pleasant to talk to and shared a lot of nice stories about the outdoors. He is definitely an asset to Circle Bar Stables. For anyone booking try to go on his tour!! The nice gentleman that answers the phones is very sweet, I had to call several times to change my tour and he was so helpful I can tell he has been with the Stables a long time and loves being there. When I arrived I was the only one and he told me to go walk around while I was waiting I guess he read my mind. I had to take off 2 stars because of the Gentleman from Texas that works there. He honestly seems like he hates his job, he asked me several times if I was on a horse before and I told him give me any horse I'll be fine. He chose AXE and while he was bringing him over to me AXE was being a little stubborn and didn't want to come not because he didn't go on the trail but he was uncomfortable with the Texan. What bothered me most was he said "AXE STOP BEING A JERK" which made me really upset and uncomfortable. I don't like it when people wok with animals and call them derogatory names. read more

Jaime was our leader for the ride and was amazing! Very knowledgeable and patient with our group. We were celebrating my bachelorette and it felt as we had a private experience. Would be back in a heartbeat and request Jaime! Also the guy checking us in, can't remember his name, but he was also so nice and sweet! Great experience overall! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My boyfriend and I did a 1.5 hour group ride with Circle Bar B Stables and we loved it! I booked the ride on their website, and they email you to confirm once you submit to the form. Very easy communication. You pay cash at the end of your ride. No bags allowed. We had no issue finding the location with Apple Maps. The staff was great and made us feel comfortable about how to ride and what to do with your horses. You get to ride through streams, up a mountain, and up to a photo op spot. The horses are well kept. Our guide was funny and was great and checking in on us. He took group photos and shared stories of the horses. Great experience! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We recently stayed at Circle Bar B Ranch for the weekend, hoping for an experience comparable to our prior visit at Alisal Ranch, which was exceptional. Unfortunately, Circle Bar B fell far short of expectations in nearly every category. We booked Cabin 18, a two-story unit with ample space. However, the cleanliness was unacceptable. The floors were visibly dirty, with cobwebs in nearly every corner and overhang. The shower fixtures were covered in grime, and it was evident that the cabin had not been thoroughly cleaned in quite some time. While we appreciate rustic environments, there is no excuse for lack of basic hygiene and maintenance. A major concern was the food situation. While breakfast and dinner are included, there is no menu provided in advance, and front desk staff must "get back to you" with meal details. There are virtually no accommodations for guests who do not eat meat, and meal planning seems completely random. If the property chooses not to serve lunch, that is understandable but to then offer only minimal snack options is completely inadequate. Guests are isolated on a remote ranch and should not have to leave the property just to find a proper meal. Even simple items like sandwiches, hot dogs, or salads would be an improvement. The lack of child-friendly activities was also disappointing. Aside from horseback riding, there is very little for families to do on-site. The pool and game room are the only options offered. There were no organized outdoor activities for kids no open play areas, no nature programming, no campfires, no stargazing, nothing beyond a dilapidated horseshoe pit that looked untouched since the 1940s. Several buildings around the property appeared neglected and unstable, further contributing to a feeling of disrepair. Staff were polite and well-meaning, but clearly overextended. When the same person checking you in at the front desk is also mixing drinks at the bar, it's clear the ranch is understaffed and operating well below an acceptable service standard. In short, we spent more time leaving the ranch than enjoying it. Circle Bar B might have potential, but in its current state it feels neglected, understaffed, and not designed with families in mind. We'll be returning to Alisal Ranch for future trips a property that clearly understands how to deliver a polished, welcoming, and activity-rich experience for both children and adults. read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I have ridden a lot of horses all over the country. Booked this ride as part of a horseback / wine tasting tour. The animals are very well cared for and not just your typical 1 speed trail ride. Our wrangler, Adam, was very pleasant & informative. He took pics for us at a couple of stops. The scenery is gorgeous! Would highly recommend! read more

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Went horseback riding for a friend's birthday on Saturday and it was wonderful! Driving to the ranch felt like entering a fairytale! The road was filled with streams, shady trees, birdsong, and gorgeous green countryside. We brought produce for the horses to snack on and got to feed them! We did the 1.5 hour trail ride and there were only 4 of us in our group, making it comfortable with fun conversation. It was such a beautiful day and beautiful trail. Our guide was funny and kind, and helpful when some of the horses were going a bit slow (shout out to Tot and 530, the horses!). Every cowboy we encountered were also funny and kind. We truly had a wonderful experience and wish we could've stayed the whole day just hanging out at the ranch! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Beautiful canyon and ocean back drop. On the left is horse Chip and on the right is horse Pepper :) - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Well I can't say enough amazing things about this place. First off, please ask for Greg to be your guide, he's the best. Note they do ask for cash payment so please bring a little extra for a tip as this place is so humble they don't ask for it, but definitely deserve it! Pricing is incredibly reasonable, especially now days and for what a great ride, quality of horses and view you get! I had no idea, but they also have a little hotel there including a great bar and a pool! It is tucked away so all you hear is nature. It reminds me of a smaller version of one of my favorite places in Montana, called Lone Mountain Ranch. The owner is the nicest most humble guy, please go and check this spot out. It will soon be your favorite too!!! read more

Second time I've ridden there while in Calif on vacation. ALWAYS wonderful experience. Simple to make registration, least expensive of ALL other stables within 60 miles. WRANGLERS AWESOME! I had Greg this time. What a good time, great conversation, polite, helpful, caring. The trails are up and down, which was great. Horses both times just right. I'm very experienced and my granddaughter a confident beginner. She is just 11 but first time was just 9 and leadlined up but solo back. This time she was super confident and has more experience. We went on the 2 1/2 hour ride this time. Saw great views of the MTN range and the ocean with channel Islands. Also rode through different types of vegetation. Please tip well in cash. So worth it. Greg want performing. He genuinely wanted us to have a good time. I suggest CIRCLE BAR B, GAVIOTA, North off Santa Barbara and South of Buellton. Bess Wall, Florida read more

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Still Our Favorite Getaway - 6 Visits and Counting! We just came back from our 6th stay at this amazing family-run horseback riding ranch, and once again, it was everything we hoped for and more. We were a group of four--two adults and two kids--and stayed three nights right on the property. We've tried several accommodations over the years: ranch rooms, single-room cabins, and double-room cabins. All are super cozy and now updated with modern bathrooms while keeping that rustic charm. The trail rides are the highlight--well-trained, well-loved horses and wranglers who really care. After riding each day, we headed straight to the pool and hot tub to relax and play games. It was the perfect balance of adventure and downtime. Meals are always fantastic. The kids finished every plate! From fried chicken and BBQ ribs to prime rib and big ranch breakfasts with eggs, pancakes, bacon, homemade salsa, and fresh fruit--everything was delicious and satisfying, with plenty of veggie options, too. The ranch is peaceful and safe, which gave us peace of mind letting the kids explore. We left the windows open at night to fall asleep to frogs and wake up to birds chirping and fresh mountain air. The staff goes above and beyond. On our last night, we asked for root beer floats in glass boot mugs--and not only did they say yes, they made enough for everyone and made it extra special for us. Huge thanks to Margaret at the front desk, Jeremy and Joe in the kitchen, Collin, Jimmy, Jack, Randy, Angel, Elrich, and of course Kathy and Beau, who even turned on the hot tub early so we could soak before our morning ride. Can't wait to come back. This place is truly a gem! read more

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I loved my hour and a half ride on Shelby. She was a very sweet horse I like this ranch because the location is beautiful. I have ridden in the general area previously, but this particular ride was spectacular due to the variety of vegetation and terrain.I also found it very helpful to pay after the ride itself. There was some question as to whether or not I would be able to make it. Greg was a wonderful. He made sure that no one got into trouble. Jack was immensely, entertaining before the ride itself. There was another gentleman that helped with the horses whose name I did not get, but he was most helpful as well. read more

We visited during our road trip, drawn in by the high ratings we'd seen online. Unfortunately, our experience didn't quite live up to the hype. When we arrived, we were barely greeted. The team didn't seem particularly happy to be there, and their lack of enthusiasm translated into a pretty underwhelming welcome. Our trail guide was polite, but extremely reserved--more focused on getting us from point A to point B than creating any kind of memorable or engaging experience. That said, the horses were lovely, well-behaved, and the surrounding scenery was absolutely beautiful. While the natural setting was a highlight, the overall atmosphere left a lot to be desired. We're not sure we'd return. read more

Came here 16 years ago and again this past 4th of July. It's great to see this place still in business and providing a fun ride although I wish we were able to gallop more. Made phone reservations on Saturday for a 2 PM ride on Tuesday and Robbie followed up the day before with confirmation, directions, and to answer any questions. The ride to the ranch is just 3.5 miles off the 101 fwy and the road does get narrow as you get closer so be careful of oncoming traffic. Upon arrival we were greeted by Robbie and the wranglers, signed a waiver (you can opt for a helmet or not), and off to meet your horse based on your size. They give you a brief lesson on how to hold the reigns, placement of foot in stirrup, and how to guide the horse. I rode Socks at the tail end in a group of six and our guide. We opted for the 1.5 hour ride which takes you out and back on a maybe 3 mile ride with great views of a small waterfall, surrounding mountains, and the pacific ocean. They'll take pictures for you at specific viewpoints so don't struggle to take that selfie if you're not used to riding. read more

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I did a two hour horse ride this summer and it was so lovely! Great path and beautiful sights! Plus, got the tour just for me and my friend with our own personal guide. Really enjoyed and cherished this ride :) read more

One of the most interesting experiences I've had in a long time in a good way! After being in the city for all my life, it's so refreshing to come out here and not only ride a beautiful, majestic horse, but also the learn the lifestyle of a someone who grew up on a ranch-- it's such a different world. Quite eye-opening to learn how they ride their horse to school (20 miles??) and leave them in the stables as you are learning math and doing regular kid stuff. When you reach the top of the hill, you get a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean Thank you to Cade, our trail guide, for going above and beyond with showing us the area and explaining everything to us! Everyone else was also so friendly and welcoming :) Definitely worth the visit and I would love to come back and bring my friends/parents. Side note: riding a horse is more tiring than I thought. So don't come on an empty stomach read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We did a private 2.5 hour tour with Annie. We have no experience but it was perfect! The scenery was beautiful, the horses were great and the whole experience is a must! Would recommend to anyone who wants to get out of the city and just breathe! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My 9 year old and I had a 90 min trail ride today with Ms. Annie. She is AMAZING! She's patient and caring. She is perfect. My son has been on approx 25+ rides but still nervous. Annie was very patient, calm and caring. Overall, ranch is spectacular. Horses are well cared for. The trails are unbelievable! So many trails & scenery. We love horseback riding, especially on vacations. Circle Bar B Stables is right at the top of our list. We want to come back with our whole family, stay in their lodge & plan a couple rides. **They do not take Zelle or Venmo. They prefer cash. It's $105/per person for a 90 min ride. They accommodated me with a credit card but I had to go up to their lodge and run it there. Cash is preferred and easier on them. The guides take Venmo :) Thank you Jack & Annie for a wonderful morning! We will be back. read more

Well mannered horses, I like the staff they are helpful in picking the right horses and assisting you onboarding and off boarding . My only annoyance was the same concern as fellow yelper Sandra T R from 3 yrs ago.. the guide was more concerned about his tip than anything. He asked what we did for a living and was excited when we told him because we will be "good tippers." This is before we even hopped onto the horses. Smh My horse was agitated when a deer crossed our path, he said "there's mountain lions, tigers, raccoons, we saw a bear last week!" Huh? Way to make me feel safe on my horse experience with your company. Tell me you saw a bear last week smh. Then my horse started spinning in circles. He didn't help and I was definitely nervous.. he kept yelling at me "KICK HIM, KICK HIM!" "Don't let the horse know you're a punk or he will take advantage of you!" Huh? He brought up the tip again towards the end, and also mentioned the butt massage story, same as Sandra's experience. Butt massage story would have been funny, something about "brokeback mountain?" That would have been fun if I felt more safer with him. I Even heard him on his phone at one point. We went to this place 3 yrs ago and we had a young dude from Oklahoma who made us feel safe the whole trip, and helped us when the horses got out of line or started eating. That goes a long way. Maybe the manager/owner should talk to the older guides, we want to feel safe during our experience. Oh, and don't keep bringing up a tip. Especially when I have to control the horse my own damn self when he gets out of line and you won't even help me. Thanks a lot buddy smh read more

Really enjoyed our ride. Great trails, great staff. Great horses and the property is beautiful. Bring cash. Extra for a tip.

Amazing ride with amazing views! Would recommend 10/10! We had such a nice guide too. Good pace and healthy looking horses.

Fantastic experience in mid-January. We booked a 1.5 hour private ride, our guide was great and kept us smiling the entire ride. Jack and the crew helped set up my engagement proposal and completely surprised my new fiancé. The logistics were perfect. They offered the best customer service and are wonderful people. read more

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We were able to book a horseback ride last minute, $105 per person for 1.5 hours. I had never been on a horseback ride before, so I was set up with a reliable horse named Shelby who did not let me down. The scenery was absolutely beautiful with a waterfall, views of the ocean, and gorgeous hills and valleys. We liked our guide, who has been a cowboy since he was "knee-high to a grasshopper." He told us a lot of interesting history and cowboy stories while we were on our ride. Our guide was also a great photographer and used our phones to take some excellent photos of us at stops along the trail. A few tips: We stayed on the horses the whole time. You're not allowed to take stuff with you unless it fits in your pockets (no backpack). You have the option to wear a helmet or not. You are supposed to hold on to the horse reigns and saddle, so you may not be able to take photos with your phone. A GoPro on a head-strap or chest-mount would be a great idea. On our drive back to Solvang, we couldn't stop talking about what a great time we had. read more

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Amazing spot ! Friendly staff and a great vibe. Highly recommend this to anyone in the area looking to go horse back riding. Our guide Greg was awesome, overall the best horse back experience I've been on 10/10. Will definitely be coming back! read more

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One of the most beautiful friendliest outstanding experiences you'll ever do. Everything was phenomenally amazing! Starting from booking to being there to the experience to everything! My husband and I came here for an activity for work employees and everyone had a blast. To start, I love that it's family owned and it's 3rd generation and keeping the tradition! It's 1100 acres. To drive up there you lose signal so it's great! You get to interact with one another and not be busy on the phone. And you drive there not knowing there is somewhere so beautiful come you get up there. They host wedding, have a pool, cabins. Really nice place to get away as well. We had first interacting with Jack and he was amazing! Super friendly. We all sign releases and then we get taken to in line to meet the horses that we would be getting on. Angel helped me to get on the horse and gave me basics to keep me safe. My horse was the first one and Jimmie was in the front, I had told him about my last experience on horseback riding and that I had a scare of falling and he reassured me and was there with me the whole time during the experience. Had the robe of my horse attached to his! Thankful for Kim for doing that. Will and Luke were the other outstanding cowboys who assisted the rest kid the group for the 1.5 beautiful hours. There was 8 of us and 3 cowboys! They stop every 30 mins or so to make sure everything is okay! Took group pictures. They were just amazing! I can't thank them enough for this outstanding experience and I would highly recommend this beautiful family establishment to everyone and will return here for another ride or an event! They went above and beyond, really exceeded my expectations! Well done cowboys! read more

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Excellent Horse Back Riding experience. We took the train from Los Angeles. Our guide Luke was excellent. Very friendly. Their customer service is excellent. read more

Horse back riding around the santa ynez mountains! What a wonderful way to hike and explore! Will def do this again! Felt safe the entire time! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Riding Travelor! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Attended for a wedding and everything from the staff to the beautiful nature atmosphere to the food and overall feel of the place was incredible! Couldn't recommend higher! Felt like summer camp read more

Nick was an excellent guide and was incredibly knowledgeable about so much. He was also patient with my daughter, who was a little nervous, but she was all smiles once she got her bearings straight with his help. The ranch is beautiful, horses are well kept, and the views and scenery are stunning. It's a must do for us from now on. Thanks for the great ride! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Riding up the trail with our guide. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We had the best time staying at and riding at Circle Bar B. Our riding guide, Randy, is one-of-a-kind and made our whole trip super special!! We loved staying there over the weekend and made new friends with other families, enjoyed some great hikes and relaxed in the pool. What a fantastic vacation and special spot. read more

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After binge watching a horse show for the past few months, I decided I'd like to finally try to ride one. I told my husband that for my birthday I wanted to find a fun trail ride in the mountains that gave a great experience. After researching a few places, I stumbled on Circle Bar B Stables. Out of all the places I researched, it seemed like the best option. Booking was easy and simple, and you just pay when you get there. Make sure to bring some extra cash for a tip if you feel so inclined! I decided on the 2.5 hour trip because I felt like 1.5 was too short but half day might be too long for my first time. I feel like this was the perfect time frame. We went on July 1st, and we finished our ride as it was really starting to heat up. My husband also booked the private ride, which was really nice for it to be just us and the guide. We were greeted initially by a fun gentleman who got us ready to go and then sent us down to where they picked the right horses for us based on experience and size. Our guide's name was Luke, and he was great! You can tell he enjoyed his job and answering all of our questions. He was very authentic, and we truly appreciated having him to lead us around. I would DEFINITELY come back and do this again even with the 3 hour drive there and back. Maybe we'll stay at the cute cabins they have there. Circle Bar B Stables gave the cowboy experience that I don't think any of the other tour groups could provide. Thank you again, Luke! read more

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This is an amazing place my family has ever spent..You'll have everything you need for a very restful weekend away from it all. Great food and very friendly staff. We didn't have time to do the horseback riding, but my family has enjoyed it in the past. This was a wonderful trip we'll remember forever. read more

Great experience doing the 90 minute horseback riding with a friend. This place is incredible. The horses are beautiful, the views are outstanding, and everyone there was very kind. Will showed us around and provided great information about the place. I would definitely recommend going here and look forward to coming back! read more

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What a wonderful trip we had to the Circle Bar B Ranch. We rode in the morning and it was fantastic. The cowboys, the horses and the weather were great! We spent the night at the ranch and I rate it a 10. The rooms were very nice, the food delicious, the owner and staff were friendly and accommodating. A great experience for sure! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback riding adventure. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We went here for our anniversary. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling great, but that didn't stop me from having a relaxing enjoyable time at the bar. Great service (even upgraded us because it was our anniversary. Food was amazing and staff was all so friendly and accommodating. We will definitely be back! read more

Best scenic trial and guides are amazing. Horses r good quality breed. Every penny spent is worthed. read more

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Amazing horseback riding experience. Got to see waterfalls, the ocean, and go through the canyon. The staff were so nice. Couldn't recommend enough! read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I love this place!! Went for a horse back ride Saturday morning. It was such a great time and honestly pretty relaxing. We were greeted by Jack who was super friendly. We then were greeted by all the other men who were extremely attentive and gave clear descriptions on how to handle the horse. Our cowboy who guided us was Angel. He as super sweet and made our experience great. The trail had beautiful views and the horses were nice and somehow knew to be careful when walking over rocks etc. I felt extremely safe and would love to do this again. I highly recommend this place for anyone. I definitely recommend getting the early time just because it's not too hot during the summer and perfect with not that many people. read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

When we booked our stay, we booked it for 2 nights, but luckily we changed to 3 nights because there is so much to do! This has been one of my fav trips. My daughter and I loved the food and game room! The place was so clean and it had the best hot tub! We felt like we were in a whole other world, yet not far from home. The beds were also so comfortable. We got a cabin that had a loft and it was perfect for my daughter and I! the horses were so sweet and the view was great. For our first Horse back ride Thank you to horses Joe and Riven for being amazing and thank you guide Greg. For our second horse back ride thank you to horses BuckShot and Snaffy and guide Will for being so kind and interactive with us. Everyone that works there were so kind. All day long all you can hear is music, frogs, and birds. It is always so quiet and it feels so safe. I definitely recommend to visit Circle Bar B Ranch when you have time for a few days of relaxing with your friends and family! read more

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My wife and I spent the weekend at the ranch for her birthday, but this review is for the stables/horseback riding which was just as good. We booked a 2.5 hour private ride on a Saturday morning with Eric Romero. We had been here before (14 years ago) and nothing has changed- which is great. Great service. Great guides. The experience is great. The 2.5 hour ride took my wife up a mix of trails with beautiful views, and back down to the stables. Great conversations, service, and accommodations the entire ride. Great job to Circle Bar B, and thank you Eric. I'd highly recommend. And will definitely be back. read more

Circle Bar B Stables - 2.5 Hour Private Ride - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were camping at El Capitan and saw the sign for Circle Bar B stables. We decided to go horseback, riding and book the 90 minute package. Our guide Jimmy was wonderful. He's lived on the ranch for 10 years and showed us beautiful sites, signs of wildlife, and gorgeous, breathtaking views. The horses were all trained well and as long as the riders gave them the proper prompts, the horses did very well. Everyone we encountered at the ranch was very nice and friendly. We would definitely recommend this excursion. read more

Circle Bar B Stables - Jimmy - Horseback Riding Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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