Steve is top notch in all ways imaginable. I can't tell you how many trail/beach rides I've been on…read more(too many to count) and In all honestly, NONE of them compare to what Steve offers. Real talk, he goes above and beyond to make sure you're really enjoying your time with these amazing horses and creating unforgettable memories which are honestly priceless. He has so many stories, jokes and wisdom to share. His passion for horses and ability to make people feel as ease is a true gift. Thank you, we'll for sure be back again! ;)

Steve was friendly & talkative, his horses are cared for & they were well trained. We asked to do…read morea beach trail but instead we met at Manzanita County Park. It was a hard trail with no shade & lots of ups & downs & steep hills. It was hot & instead of a 2hr tour it lasted almost 3hrs. There wasn't enough padding under the saddle so our butts were hurting, especially the last hour. We've been on 10+ horseback riding tours. This was the first time we didn't have to sign waivers or wear helmets & Steve was encouraging first time riders to stand on top of the horse. The horses liked to gallop & trot, I had to keep slowly down my horse. If you're on a schedule & prefer a more structured tour & don't want to trot or gallop, this is NOT the tour for you. He doesn't take pictures unless you ask him to & he said he'd send us pictures but never did. So make sure you stay & have him send the pictures before you leave.

My daughter loves coming here! She loves to ride Lizzie and Sophia. Anne and her staff are so…read morewonderful! We adore all the volunteers who help out. Neville the dog is really friendly.

I use to go to Monterey Bay Horsemanship I miss it and want to go back and visit sometime it was a…read moregreat place I am trying to find some friends to meet in the Aptos area and I know people that worked at Monterey Bay Horsemanship I loved the owner Anne she was sweet and kind I loved seeing her when I use to go there the years go really fast I don't know the people there now cause it was a long time ago when I went there hoping someday I can go and see every body that I use to know there I use to ride the horses there and I was scared sometimes but I had someone that helped me not be scared they did an amazing job I know they are busy keeping the place look nice and clean I hope it is still there cause I never forget how much fun it use to be Anne was so nice to me when I went there in the mornings she made me feel safe and I felt so good after I was done some times I had some problems but I worked them out as the time went on I was sad when I left them but I know that I can go and say hi and its great being an Adult hoping they remember who I am because I am a woman now and it's exciting to show them what I can do now I work at Seascape market and I love helping people there I clean the store for the owners and they really like my help I am hoping they can find something harder for me to do now that I am so good at what I do for them at the market I love you Monterey Bay Horsemanship have a happy Thanksgiving and holidays I will stop and say hello sometime

Had such a fun time celebrating our anniversary with Monterey Bay Equestrian Center! Charlie was…read moregreat in teaching us how to ride safely since we were both first-timers, and he was kind and super easy to talk to as he guided us through our 1h15min ride along the trail and on the beach. We booked for the 12pm ride and the weather was great -- the fog cleared up and the sun came out but stayed nice and cool. I rode Torino and my boyfriend rode Ben, and they were both great! This was such a great and relaxing experience for the both of us -- we'd definitely come back and recommend this place (and Charlie!) to anyone interested in a horseback riding experience! They also give you a voucher at the end for a free appetizer at Old Fisherman's Grotto on the wharf and The Fish Hopper at Cannery Row!

Charlie was such a down to earth tour guide. He was calm, relaxed and made our entire experience…read morethe best. I found this place thru Chat GPT when looking for horse back riding on the beach. This place is a hidden gem. $175 to ride for 1 hour and 15 minutes was totally worth it. Ocean front. Will def book again!

Mike and crew were great guides. Horses healthy and well taken care of. Beach ride is a trail…read moreride, nose to tail, but was still enjoyable.

Ten years ago exactly, I met Steve and his horses while on my travels (from England). It was a…read morelife-changer. I'll never forget his kindness, respect and map drawing in the sand while I rode Bailey - forwards and backwards; a far cry from the suburban nose-to-tails in Richmond Park, Surrey. Such fond memories and much missed, all of it. Highly recommended.

Had a great experience with Kristin. She is conscientious and takes her time getting you…read morecomfortable with and riding your horse. She may also have a special treat for you at the end. The equestrian center is easy to miss if you've never been there and because the street numbers are backwards. Therefore: Heading east on Graham Hill Road, immediately after State Route 9, make the first right turn into Covered Bridge Road North (*not* South which is the 2nd right turn). Take this road down till it dead ends and you're there (just past the covered bridge).

Brought my daughter here to get the full experience of working with horses and ended up taking…read morelessons myself. I used to have a horse growing up and I wanted my daughter to have the same experience. Once I saw how Kristin communicates with her horses I knew I had to get lessons for myself. We went on forest rides once a week for a few years while I learned how to get a horse to follow my lead rather than getting the horse to move by dominating it. Feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect with horses in this way, so worth it!!

This is a fabulous place to go horeseback riding! It's pricey, but the horses are beautifully…read morecared for and well-mannered Tennessee Walking Horses, with an amazingly smooth running walk. Wrangler Robby is a great guide, very knowledgeable about the land where the rides occur and of the horses in her care. My only minor complaint is having to book through the Coastanoa front desk. I called on a mid-week morning, and it took me over 15 minutes to reserve a ride (having been repeatedly put on hold).

The horseback riding a Costanoa is incredible. We had Robbi as our guide. She was absolutely…read moreamazing. My son who does not like to ride had the most wonderful encouraging ride with Robbi who assited and encouraged him the entire way. And my oldest who loves to ride is more confident was also encouraged. Robbi is knowledgeable, social, kind and very sensitive to all the horses and their perspective riders. Thank you so much Robbi. You are a little treasure there at Costanoa. I hope the management there knows what they have in you!!! Your the best!!!!

What more can be said about Garrod Farms that hasn't already been felt by so many? For countless…read moreriders, this is the place where we first sat on a horse, felt the excitement of riding, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Garrod Farms is more than a barn--it is a place filled with joy, friendship, and an unmistakable sense of community. From the moment you arrive, you can feel the positive energy that surrounds the property. It truly feels like a place from a dream. One of my greatest fears is the thought of this special place ever disappearing, because it has become home to so many families, riders, and horse lovers. The Garrod family deserves tremendous recognition for everything they do. This is a true family-owned and operated business, built through hard work, dedication, and genuine passion. There is always someone on the property working on improvements, maintaining the grounds, or finding ways to make the experience even better for everyone. The amount of effort required to care for such a large facility is extraordinary, and their commitment never goes unnoticed. The farm offers some of the best arena footing in the area, beautiful indoor and outdoor arenas, and direct access to miles of scenic trails where riders can relax and enjoy time with their horses. It is a safe and welcoming environment that has been serving children, families, and equestrians for generations. Their horseback riding lessons, whether private or group, are exceptional and suitable for riders of all experience levels. They also offer some of the best vaulting lessons in the area, giving students a unique opportunity to develop balance, confidence, athleticism, and horsemanship in a fun and supportive environment. The horse camps are among the best around, and the only complaint anyone seems to have is that they fill up too quickly. The local horse shows provide riders with valuable opportunities and motivation, while the boarding program offers quality care at a reasonable price. Special events for boarders create an even stronger sense of community and make being part of Garrod Farms feel truly special. Beyond the horses, the winery adds another layer of charm. Great music, beautiful scenery, and wonderful people make it a place where memories are created and shared. There is always a sense of warmth and happiness in the air. Garrod Farms is more than a facility--it is home. It is a place where friendships are formed, confidence is built, and dreams begin. God bless Jan, Vicky, Cory, and the entire Garrod family for everything they do. Their dedication has touched the lives of so many people, and their contributions to the community deserve recognition and support every single day.

My friend from Germany wanted to ride a horse while visiting the states, so I very last minute…read morecalled Garrod to see if they had any availability. I was easily able to book a private guided ride with just the two of us and an expert rider. Our guide was so nice and equipped us with everything we needed to have a safe, but fun trip. You can tell the horses are very well taken care of and loved by the staff at the stables. The tour itself had beautiful views overseeing Los Gatos. It was a reasonably priced experience and absolutely worth it!