California is a go to spot if you are looking for a fun beach vacation. Imperial Beach is located in the Southern Ca and is the southwestern most city in the continental US. Imperial Beach is what you would expect to see when you visit a beach town. Local fishermen line the pier visitors along with the locals enjoy the beauty of some of the cleanest beaches in California. Dolphins and sea lions love to frolic in the warm ocean water, and Imperial Beach is home to a protected river estuary and a large bird sanctuary that attracts many visitors. Beach events like the Sand Castle Competition, the Sun and Sea Festival, and the world famous Surf Dog Competition and many others are held year around and bring visitors from near and far. If you are looking for something extra fun to do on the beach while you're visiting make sure to visit one of the stables that offers guided horseback riding in Imperial Beach.

Take a look at these stables while searching for the best horseback ride during your visit to Imperial Beach.

1. San Diego Beach Rides, Horse Rentals AKA Pony Land

San Diego Beach Rides, also referred to by many as Pony Land, is a perfect place to visit for the entire family. Not only do they offer a variety of beach trail ride options, they also offer wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and it’s all only a 15 min drive from downtown San Diego. The petting zoo and pony rides are open every Saturday and Sunday from noon till 4:00 pm and offer rides to children 8 years or 70 pounds and under. This is great for little children who have never been around a horse before.

For those of you that are looking for a beach ride they offer four different options.

a) SeaShore Beach Ride

This rise is a 2.5 hour guided ride that begins by venturing through the nature preserve followed by 30 min on the beach, or choose the 3.5 hour ride that gives you 60-90 minutes of ride time on the beach. This Beach ride will take you as far south as you can possibly go in California, right up to the border fence. Not only will you get to enjoy the breathtaking beach you will also get to see dolphins, seals, pelicans, a variety of endangered birds.

b) Riverbed and Jungle Ride

This ride takes you through the Wild Nasturtiums and verdant trees that create a giant canopy that cover the white sandy trails through the river valley. Wild roses, raspberries, and other beautiful plants line the trails making this a beautiful ride to be on. This ride is offered as a 1 hour or 1.5 hour ride, or if you choose the 2 hour ride you will get additional ride time to the Mesa which gives you spectacular views of the ocean.

c) Sea Horse Adventure

If you have ever wanted to take a horse swimming in the ocean this is the ride for you. Your guide will take you and your horse out into the waves up to the horse's chest. This ride is set to so you are riding in the waves during low tide and it is recommended that riders have ridden before and are not timid first time riders. This ride is 3 hours and you get about 60 min of ride time on the beach.

d) Sunset Ride

This beautiful ride departs at 4:30 pm so you can enjoy a fun beach ride and enjoy the sunset as you return home, so no one is riding in the dark. You will ride for 2.5 hours with about 30 min of ride time on the beach.
All rides are available to those heading out solo, please contact them for individual rider rates. Military discounts are also offered, walk ins are always welcome, but to guarantee your ride make sure to make a reservation through the website or be calling the directly.

2. Surfside Ranch

Surfside Ranch, previously called Happy Trails Horse Rentals, is owned by Joanne Crusing-Winne. She opened in 1997, but in 2015 changed the ranch's name to Surf Side because she wanted the community to know that her facility offered more than just horse rentals. Joanne has loved horses since she was a little girl and as an adult she taught the Horsemanship Program at the University of San Diego. Joanne offers the guided rides, as well as riding lessons, and between the Ranch staff and Joanne they offer over 150 years of equine related expertise.

Surfside offers three different rides.

a) Beach Adventure

Surfside hauls your horse to the Border Field State Park so you get the max amount of time riding on the beach, not on the trails to the beach. This ride is offered as 1, 1.5, and 2 hour ride options.

b) Sunset Beach Adventure

This is a 1.5 hour ride that features the same beach ride experience as the Beach Adventure Ride but takes place during a breathtaking beach sunset.

c) Trail Adventure Ride

This ride leaves directly from the ranch unlike the other two that leave from the Border Field staging area. This ride takes you through the San Diego County Trail System where you will see native vegetation and indigenous wildlife, and a variety of birds. It is offered in 1 hour, 1.5 hours, or two hour sessions.

Their motto is: Ride. Relax. Refresh. If you choose any one of these trail options you will definitely understand the meaning of their motto when your ride is complete.

SurfSide Ranch expects all riders to wear pants and closed toe shoes. All riders under 18 must wear a helmet, riders ages 6 & 7 may ride but must be ponied by one of the trial guides, not double riders allowed, one rider per horse only. Children under six are not allowed on the trail but can enjoy the petting zoo and pony rides that are available at the ranch. Rides are walk trot only and up to the discretion of the trial guide, you may take the horses in the water as long as the water is not overly cold and it is not high tide, riders can ride in a line if they choose or side by side, but all must stay behind the guide. Their website covers everything you could possibly imagine so make sure to check it out when you are booking your ride.

Imperial Beach and San Diego combined create a dense population, therefore there are a lot of stables to choose from when booking a beach ride. These are the top two but there are more to check out, such as Sand Diego Riding, Driftwood Ranch, and Sun Coast Farms. So research all of these beautiful places that are available for horseback riding in Imperial Beach, whichever one you choose you will make memories that will last a lifetime.