Steve is amazing! It was my husband's first time on a horse, and Steve made the entire experience…read moreso interactive, comfortable, and fun. We had such a great time that we're already planning to schedule another ride! The horses are absolutely beautiful, gentle, and so well-behaved. I truly couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday. It was such a memorable experience, and I highly recommend Steve to anyone looking for an unforgettable horseback ride!

We had an awesome time! Steve and his horses are fantastic, highly recommend! The trail and views…read morewere incredible and we got to lope a bit and ride varied terrain. The ride was tailored to us and our skill level. The horses were well-cared for and sweet. Steve is a great guide, helpful, and a lovely human. Totally going back when we're back in CA.

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.

I went to the Ferrari Challenge dinner at Stonepine a few weeks ago. The famous house and…read moreequestrian property is now a "Private Function" retreat only. No more hotel though rooms are available if part of the function. Think Weddings, Corp Events. If you ever read the Great Gatsby or saw the movie you'd feel like you were back in time. An elegance that felt more European than US.

Wow! Our wedding was at Stonepine Estate and it was an incredible weekend. The venue is so unique…read morefor California and it truly feels like you are transported to Italy. Each space is so well thought out, detailed, and beautiful. We loved the charming Italian feel of the Chateau and the Western contrast of the Double H Ranch. We incorporated both into our wedding day and our guests were continuously wow-d as they moved through the spaces. The venue also needs very minimal decorations for a wedding since it is so grand. We stayed on-site in the Chateau which was so amazing. The grounds are beautiful and it was fun to use the pool and enjoy the many available spaces over our three days there (and the incredible breakfasts!). Stonepine has an amazing team. Oceanne and Ari helped us navigate every detail and gave so much care into the planning of our day. Nathan and Julie were excellent hosts in the Chateau and went above and beyond to make our stay wonderful. The wedding truly could not have been a more beautiful or special day.

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.

This place works with special needs children and adults. We had an assessment done and they were…read morewonderful with my daughter. They have a special saddle and use a ramp to make it easy transition on to the horse. They have a wonderful facility for the horses and other animals near the coast. Very peaceful for horse riding.

Toni is the best! I rode with her my whole childhood and now my girls get to experience her love…read moreand care too. We are so thankful for her and her wonderful stables. I highly recommend her for students of all ages and abilities.

From the owner: Toni Venza Training (TVT) offers the wonderful opportunity for all levels of riders from beginners…read morethru advance to define and achieve their personal riding skills. TVT focuses on safety and having a great time riding and learning about the true love of horses!! Our all-weather riding facility includes a Covered Riding arena which allows us to ride, rain or shine.

We took our young daughter here for a pony ride, she had the best time. Doug and crew are very…read morewelcoming, professional and friendly. We enjoyed our time and can't wait to return!

I bought my grandson horse riding lessons as a Christmas gift last year (2025) and since his little…read morebrother had cancer, he couldn't make the dates of his lessons, but they assured us that they would be able to have him attend other pushed out dates. I booked 5 lessons (paid for 4 with the 5th lesson, FREE) and my grandson rode 1x when no one was there only 1 guy who was closing up. Luckily he rode in the arena since he is not a rider. Since February 2026, I have been trying to get dates assigned to complete the 4 riding lessons. Lo and behold, it appears they closed down the ranch and moved to Prunedale in another assumed name. I contacted the owner Doug by phone and emails to no avail. He has not returned my messages, nor has he returned the $200 I invested as a Christmas gift for my grandson. I am still waiting for him to reply but it seems he's hiding and has kept my money. When I emailed him, I also included the BBB of Salinas/Prunedale but no answer from them either. I would also include the CA State Attorney's Office to look into this matter but have found no contact information for them. I am frustrated and very disappointed in Doug as a business owner and the fact that they don't honor their paying customers by at least replying to emails or phone calls. It seems their phone has been disconnected now. What a joke he is as is his business. DO NOT DO BUSINESS with these Charlatans! If I could give them a ZERO, I would as they are big Zeros in my eyes!

FHS and trainer Stephanie Walker are the best. She has created an exceptional environment where the…read morehorses' comfort and happiness are always the priority. She helps all levels of riders realize their full potential in a very unintimidating way. I would highly recommend this barn for boarding, leasing, training, and lessons.

Stephanie Walker at Free Heart Stables is a true horseman. She understands the equine holistically…read moreand teaches her clients from where the horse is at physically and mentally, and always for the good of the horse. My daughter entered into the horse world via typical horseback lesson experience. She received excellent instruction in rider form at a top riding school but she became bored with just jumping on a horse for the purpose of getting through the transitions and jumps while looking good. She craved a deeper bond with her equine partners. So, being a brand new horse person myself, and only to support my daughter from afar, I found Stephanie in a Google search. I figured some horseback lessons that simulated actual horse ownership would cure the bug. I also decided that since this experience would be more than just tacking up the horse and riding, I decided to take lessons too so I could supervise my daughter from the ground. When my daughter first started riding, I wouldn't even pet the horses, and I was the least likely candidate to be a horse owner, that's how resistant I was to this whole horse fever she caught. I thought for sure these true "horsemanship" lessons would end this nonsense. Well, Stephanie didn't cure the horse bug. She made it worse, it was contagious, and I caught it. She stirred a new passion in my daughter and I that opened up a whole new world where horses are now more than a hobby, we have a new lifestyle. Fast forward to today, we are the humble owners of a beautiful, dramatic, and sensitive thoroughbred gelding and Stephanie is our trainer. Forget thinking that this is your typical trainer situation where the expert does the hard work of training your horse and you come out only to ride and experience the fruit of that labor. Stephanie is teaching US how to train our horse. Her lessons involve us in every part of the equine from the how the horse thinks to how the horse moves - on good days and bad days. Some of our best lessons, even when we first started, have been in (and continue to be in) imperfect conditions where we were making mistakes and Stephanie patiently taught us what was going on with the horse mentally, how we created the situation, and how to correct it. She will not do it for you, and she will make you take it slow to do things right. You can do things fast, or you can do them right. Thankfully, she has the patience and calm demeanor of a saint with kids and nervous, newbie, somewhat resistant, older adults. Stephanie just has something special to offer people that is vitally lacking in our fast paced, over tech'd, and over-achieving culture. The character qualities that are being instilled in my daughter (and myself) through this journey is not something the fanciest training barn or most expensive private school could ever teach. It is hard work that teaches you how to slow down, be present, and be teachable. Though the word has lost its meaning, Stephanie is a true natural horseman and she will teach you how to understand and communicate with the horse from the moment you make contact. If you want a truly fulfilling equine partnership that is unlike anything offered at training and lesson barns, contact Stephanie. Your horse will thank you.

An amazing resource for natural horsemanship, retreats, community connections and healing with…read morehorses. Lori and Ella are amazing teachers, women leaders and grounded community change makers who help all who visit and attend events lessons and retreats there meaningful and full of growth and wisdom.

My daughter first attended this camp in the summer of 2010. It was amazing! The property sits on a…read morehill over looking all of Monterey bay. The price was very reasonable plus they have scholarships available. My daughter learned to take care of and ride horses. She had fun dancing and learning aerial. she made beautiful art and got to perform in a play at the end of camp for all the parents. Horse and Heart is terrific! I highly recommend it.

The most magical place in the valley...Such a peaceful atmosphere where both you and your horse can…read moreregenerate and thrive. This barn really is a gem, and so is the community it has created. Paddocks, stalls, multiple wash racks, large turnout, trails, arena, and a round pen offer a fun and safe environment for both people and their horses. The barn manager and staff are both passionate and knowledgeable with what they do; always keeping the horses and their needs as top priorities.

From the owner: Our 50-acre horse ranch in mid-Carmel Valley features a full-size arena and roundpen, as well as…read morevarious boarding accommodations to meet your horse's needs. And we boast perhaps the most recognizable barn in the entire in the entire valley. it's the big silver one across the street from Folktale Winery.