Chaparral has multiple locations and I believe this is a new location…read more Addison who is the manager and ran the class was great from the get go. Awesome communications leading up to the class and did a great job during the class. Wonderful location in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains.

From the owner: Chaparral Ranch in Sunol now offers full-service horse boarding in the East Bay. Our facility…read moreincludes daily stall cleaning, twice-daily feeding (alfalfa or grass), 24-hour security, a covered arena, a large open arena, four round pens, and multiple turnouts. Riders enjoy direct access to both Sunol Wilderness Regional Park and Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park—just minutes away. Conveniently located off Interstate 680 between Fremont and Pleasanton, our Sunol site provides a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for you and your horse

We visited the tortoise ranch today with three first grade classes, and it was honestly my favorite…read morefield trip I've been on so far, and my son's favorite too! The kids and adults all learned so much about tortoises, and the whole experience was incredibly informative, hands-on, and just so cool. How often do you get to get up close and personal with giant tortoises like that?! The owners were so knowledgeable and kind to open up their home and space to all of us. You can tell how much they care about their animals and sharing what they know with kids. Such a fun and unique experience, and we can't wait to come back again with my youngest for his field trip!

We went on a field trip with a kindergarten class (ages 5-6). Everyone was really excited to visit…read moreand it felt like we had discovered a hidden gem at first. Unfortunately, the experience quickly changed due to the rude behavior from the owners. During our visit, the owner yelled at the children - YELLED. This video is just a small example of what happened. There were multiple instances where both the man and his wife raised their voices not only at the kids, but also at the parents. While the children still managed to have fun, the overall environment felt stressful and uncomfortable for many of us. We understand that managing large groups of young kids can be challenging, but the way the situation was handled made what should have been a positive field trip feel uneasy and disappointing.

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!

Super fantastic price $80 any tree, $5 netting if needed, free hot cocoa, hot cider and coffee, and…read morelots of parking. The family that hosted this year was super friendly and welcoming, and conversing with them was easily one of the highlight of the trip. It's a bit far up there, past several Xmas tree farms. Drive slow, be careful of narrow parts, and wear gloves! The tree sap will be hard to get out.

7th year going here and we love it! Amazing staff and great…read moretrees! Dog friendly is an added bonus

I enjoyed the very friendly service by multiple workers and free netting, twine, hot chocolate…read moreavailable (hot chocolate free on weekends with hot apple cider). They had over 4 picnic benches for families to picnic on, a small swing nearby, and a portable toilet near the main parking lot. Other parking lots were available if the main lot was full. They give you the saw upon check-in and you drop it off along with $80 for any tree size on your way out. My son enjoyed the candy cane he was given upon exit. I would go here again with my family. Advice: we went here upon opening Saturday morning after Thanksgiving. By 10:30am, the main parking lot was full and overflowing into other lots, but other lots had plenty of space. I recommend getting here early and having a picnic with your family.

Been coming here for the last few years. There are so many up here that we usually pick anyone lol…read morethe owner is very friendly and they just leave you to do your thing. Once you enter you grab a saw and then can wonder around anywhere on the property. They have a variety of different trees and all are so lush and green. ANY tree is $80! So such a steal if you can fit a big one in your house. So I would say a great value! When you leave you can drop the cash in the slot or use a pay app. Either way super quick! Can't wait to decorate our tree! There is always hot apple cider and it's pet friendly property. Just please clean up after you furry friend!

We hosted a combined birthday and anniversary celebration, and the Almaden Golf and Country Club…read moreevents team made it truly exceptional. They were professional, patient with every change, and delivered outstanding service and delicious food--all with genuine smiles through wind, rain, and finally a beautiful evening of dinner and dancing in the ballroom. Working with Suzy, Bodhi, and Leslie was effortless; each brought a personal touch that made our guests feel welcomed and cared for. It was a wonderful night in a perfect setting. Thank you to the entire event staff for making it unforgettable.

Growing up in Almaden Valley, technically this might be the first time visiting the Almaden Golf &…read moreCountry Club. I had friends that belonged here and lived in houses close to the Country Club. I actually came for a HS Reunion that was held here. Catered food and a nice place to have an event/special occasion here.

- They sell two dessert wines, and they are both my favorite of the wines they sell: a late-harvest…read moreMerlot called "Mane", and their port wine. Most of their wines have a light, acidic, astringent flavor that is typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains; it's not my fav style. - Go on the cave tour. Chris was our guide, and crammed lots of interesting info between sips. - They have a hiking trail! It's great. It takes about 1 hour to hike. It's a little over-grown, but with very sparse foliage.

Cute and cosy vinery tucked away in the Santa Cruz mountains. Went here on a rainy day and enjoyed…read morethe conversation with the wine-tender lady the most. Very good customer service, the staff was very warm and friendly. Wine tasting starts at $25 per flight + tips, and ends with the most magical Moscato. A good spot for a 1-2 stopover when visiting Santa Cruz. There are cave tours on Saturdays, and an option to become a member/ get a wine subscription. The vineyard sits on 8 acres of land, but the whole property is ~100 acres, with a lookout to the ocean, and multiple hikes starting from the property. A private dining experience inside the wine cave is also offered altho I am not sure of the price or value for money.

Living in the US, Asian supermarkets are honestly a lifesaver…read more I stopped by 99 Ranch today and had to put together a quick list of my favorite finds. They carry a wide variety of Asian ingredients, and the produce, meat, and seafood are always fresh. Top Picks 99 Ranch Glutinous Rice Shumai with Salted Yolk: A perfect combo of salted egg yolk and sticky rice--rich, savory, and super satisfying. Chuan Ge Cuttlefish Dumplings: Packed with seafood flavor, juicy with every bite. Indomie Mi Goreng Hot & Spicy Instant Noodles: Sweet, spicy, and ready in just 5 minutes--perfect for a quick meal. 99 Ranch Five Medicinal Herbal Stew Pack (Lung-Moisturizing): Includes ingredients like apricot kernels and snow fungus--makes it easy to cook a nourishing and flavorful soup.

I had a very frustrating experience at checkout. Like many other customers, I was standing in line…read morewondering why it was taking so long. As I got closer to the register, I realized it wasn't because customers had full carts & baskets.. it was because the cashier was carrying on a conversation with a coworker instead of focusing on checking customers out. What was even more frustrating was that he would literally hold our items in his hand while continuing the conversation. Even after his coworker walked away, he pulled out his phone while the checkout line kept growing. If you're going to chat, at least continue scanning and keep the line moving. To make matters worse, he handled our groceries carelessly, tossing and stacking items without much concern. It came across as unprofessional and inconsiderate. I hope management takes customer service more seriously and ensures employees stay focused on their responsibilities during busy hours. Customers shouldn't have to wait unnecessarily because an employee is distracted by conversations and their phone.