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| CALIFORNIA: Inn to Inn Rides in Northern California |
| What: |
The folks who put on the scheduled, Monday to Sunday afternoon ride are magnificent. By the time you stop gaping at the beauty of the coastline with its seals, sea lions and otters, and it's magnificent Redwood forests, you are already another helpless victim of Northern California coast line. . The accommodations and meals add to the glamour and horses are the essence of Great Horses, strong, durable and suitable for every range of rider. It don't get better then this and how bout those long beach gallops for the willing and able? |
| Dates and Rates: |
RedwoodCoastBeach and Forest Riding:2008: May 12-18,
June 16-22, July 7 -13*, July 14- 20**, August 18-24*, Sept. 8- 14, and Sept 29-Oct 5.
Rates $2245 US per person, double *
July 7- 13, Aug 18-24, ride is $2455 US.
Single supplement all of the above $325 US.
**July 14-20: Equine, Wine and Song:
$2795 US. Singles supplement: $450 US
Also note we can customize shorter stays or periods when rides are not scheduled of 2 to 6 days with the same great horses.
Please email or call us for details on these customized holidays.
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| Horsesense: |
Customized rides can be designed for all levels of experience, from absolute beginner to the very advanced. Six day trips are best for those who are comfortable trail riding at all paces, but novice riders are always welcome, and instruction is gladly given. The group will divide up according to experience level along the trail each day, meeting up with the "gang" at prearranged spots a few miles down the trail. Longer and shorter versions of each day's ride are available.Horses are exceptionally fit endurance horses, who are an absolute joy to ride. Your mount is likely to be a rare Akhal-Teke, Russian Orlov crosses, as well as Arabians, many of whom have excelled in dressage and jumping, as well as on competitive trails. Imagine yourself cantering gallantly through the surf and journeying through mystical ancient redwood forests. |
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| The deserted, wild coastline and inland Redwood forests make the Redwood Coast Riding Vacation an adventure through one of the most delightful riding areas anywhere in the world. Fine California wines, sumptuous meals, acclaimed musicians, distinctive Inns and out-of-doors hot tubs make for a unique experience. This exciting riding vacation takes place on the Mendocino Coast, through various enchanting communities nestled in the Northern California hinterlands. Whether you opt for the scheduled ride with Its plethora of extras and almost indecent comforts, or a customized ride, you will experience breathtaking beach riding and equally awe inspiring rides through the world of ancient Redwood Forests. Owner Lari Shea must be described as one of those passionate individuals the horse world seems to breed, and it is reflected in the quality of the ride she produces. Her twin obsessions are endurance riding and dressage. She has won many of the top 50 and 100 mile competitions, and on your vacation you will gain an education in the conditioning and training of the sport horse. She and her excellent staff were honored in being chosen by Outside Magazine as producing "One of the top 25 trips of a lifetime"! Your individually assigned mount will be an exceptionally fit and sensible trail horse, likely to have competitive miles under his belt, yet safe for riders of any riding ability, from total novice to the very advanced. The six day/six night Redwood Coast Beach and Forest Riding Vacation is designed for maximum comfort and entertainment on and off horseback. There are a limited number of rides available and early reservations are advised. This ride is designed to provide a total guest experience, and should not be missed by any riding enthusiast! A similar version of the ride, from two to five days, with or without evening meals, wine or entertainment, is also available. |
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| WHAT TO EXPECT: |
| Getting There* : |
San Francisco International Airport, Oakland Airport, Sacramento Airport. The ride center is 3 and 1/2 hours north of the San Francisco Bay area, two miles north of Fort Bragg, CA. Most riders will find it more economical to rent a vehicle than to travel via the limited public transportation available. The ride to the center is through one of the world's most astonishing, startling and attractive settings, passing through the renowned Anderson Valley and along the enchanting Pacific Coast Highway. |
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| Room and Board* : |
Delicious meals are provided by some of the Mendocino area's finest restaurants, and wines served are from the renowned growing regions of Northern California. From down home cooking comforts to the best of nouveau cuisine, the meals are destined to become a highlight of your trip. All meals, plus snacks and beverages are included.Comfortable country ranches and unique Inns will greet you each night, with one night luxuriating in a fancy Hotel in town . Relax in an out-of-doors hot tub, or enjoy an evening stroll along a deserted beach as the sun sets over the Pacific ocean. The Inns vary by ambiance, service, and distinctive style. |
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| Alternate Activities: |
| On scheduled Redwood Coast Riding Vacations, you will be entertained by acclaimed musicians on two nights, with post-dinner party on Friday night. |
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| Weather: |
The weather on the Mendocino Coast is generally mild, rarely rising above 80 degrees F., even in the summer. When the fog rolls in, it can be chilly enough for winter weight jackets, scarves, and riding gloves. Although rain is rare during summer months, anything is possible, and guests on longer rides should bring full rain gear in order to assure sunshine. Sunglasses are advised to shield the eyes from both glare and dust. Winter rarely sees snow, and non-rainy days are usually sunny and lovely. The trails remain safe. |
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| ITINERARY |
| Ride Highlights: |
- Lodging Monday through Saturday nights.
- Full hearty breakfasts Tuesday through Sunday mornings.
- Superb dinners, including fine wines and dessert, Monday through Saturday evenings.
- Live entertainment Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Party on Friday.
- Hot tubs available Monday through Sunday.
- Trail rides on beaches Monday and Wednesday.
- Full day rides with lunch on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
- Lunch at the Bay View Cafe in Mendocino on Wednesday.
- Snacks and beverages, including beer and soda at the end of each ride.
- Wine with lunch 2 days.
- Fully guided, with choice of English, Western, or Australian tack.
- Exceptional horses, well trained for all experience levels.
- Rides may be divided according to experience level of riders.
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A three and a half hour drive from San Francisco takes you through the famous "wine country" up to the ride center. Check in begins at the lovely Cleone Gardens Inn. Enjoy a get acquainted ride on the beach after an orientation riding demonstration.
The second day is a long ride through ancient redwood forests, with ample opportunity for long trots and canters along the Indian Springs Trail.
On the third day, you'll ride south on the ocean bluffs, with phenomenal views over the Pacific. The afternoon is free to explore the many art galleries, shops and beaches in the town used as the location for over thirty movies and TV shows, including "Murder, She Wrote". The elegant Hill House Inn provides lodging overlooking picturesque Mendocino Village with pianist Susan Archuletta performing her original compositions in the evening.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights you will reside on the "Lost Coast" at Howard Creek Ranch, a charming, renovated Victorian farm and carriage house Inn on 60 acres next to the ocean, surrounded by miles of beach and mountains, with excellent dining. The Farm has recently added a massage studio; therapists are available on site, by appointment for a variety of treatments. Their beautiful out-of-doors hot tub is high on the hill, with a spectacular view of the ocean, and the indoor hot tub is convenient to all our rooms. An up-grade to a spectacular suite with private jacuzzi tub is also available.
A incredible country breakfast is provided each morning at the Howard Creek Ranch main house, just a short walk across their swinging suspension bridge. Following breakfast, clients will select their own picnic lunch, choosing from a wide variety of meats, cheeses, condiments, fruits and vegetables, candy, trail mix, and juices. Evening meals will include soup or salad, fresh breads, delicious entrees, desert, and selected California wines. We'll gather for a party on Friday evening.... so practice your act, as you'll be the entertainment that night! On Wednesday and Saturday evenings we'll enjoy live musicians and singers, culminating in quite a boogie our last night together.
Our last day's riding fulfills a dream for many people, concluding in an hours long canter along the surf, while cormorants and osprey circle overhead, and seals and whales cavort off-shore. Following our dinner celebration, a farewell party culminates with entertainment by some of Mendocino's renowned musicians: Frannie Leopold, David and Barbara Brown, Michael Hubbard, Earnie Fischbach, John Paul, Gene Parsons, and Meridian Green, among others. After breakfast Sunday morning, we bid each other adieu, leaving ample time for the drive back to the San Francisco Bay area. |
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