Are you searching for Horseback riding in Temecula Valley wine country? California Ranch Company, CRC Trails by Horseback offers year-round guided rides in Southern California.
California Ranch Company, established in 1859, has been an equestrian fixture in Temecula, California since the dawn of the cowboy and ranching in Riverside County, California. This review is not about a dude ranch vacation. Rather, CRC Trails by Horseback offers daily scenic and sunset trail rides in Temecula Valley wine country.
What to expect horseback riding in Temecula Valley Wine Country at CRC Trails by Horseback
I had an idea of what to expect horseback riding in Temecula Valley wine country with CRC Trails by Horseback. While California Ranch Company is known for private horse training, rodeo and cutting horse competitions, CRC Trails by Horseback is all about guided horseback rides through scenic Temecula Valley.
Guests will not stay overnight at this California Ranch. Riders will sign up for 60-minute and 90-minute guided trail rides. Riders must be 7 years and older to go on this horseback riding vacation. Trail rides are designed for riders with no previous riding experience. If you are an experienced equestrian, I recommend reserving the private trail ride.
CRC Trails by Horseback uses Western saddles and bridles. The company offers riding helmets for all equestrians at no additional cost.
California Ranch Company lodging options
As mentioned, CRC Trails by Horseback is not an overnight ranch experience. However, California Ranch Company is approximately 70-acres and offers several Airbnb’s, RV hookups, wedding venues, vineyards and two covered riding arenas on the Temecula Valley property. On our next visit we plan to check out the Airbnb properties.
Temecula Valley horseback riding at CRC Trails by Horseback
With 18 horses on-hand, manager Maria Kurtzweil and her wranglers take great care selecting their herd of trail and summer day camp horses. Each wrangler is assigned no more than 5 riders per horseback riding group. Additional wranglers are assigned if the group number is larger.
CRC Trails asked riders to arrive 15 minutes or earlier to the ranch to fill out waivers and pay any remaining balance. The company offers trail rides 7 days a week and Horse Camp programs when children are out of school.
Trail rides take guests through both the countryside of Temecula, showcasing what the area looked like before the vineyards were established, as well as horseback riding through or by the vineyards.
I went on the 90-minute private ride with Maria as I wanted to learn the rich history of Temecula, California. My horse, Silver, was responsive and was easy to trot and lope. We rode past California Ranch Company’s longhorn cattle, up a gentle hill, stopped at a scenic overlook, where my YouTube video was created, and rode beside some beautiful Temecula Valley vineyards.
I’ve had the privilege of horseback riding through vineyards on California’s Central coast, as well as Sonoma Valley Trail Rides and in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. In some instances, including Temecula Valley, I’m told that guests may opt for wine tasting after their horseback ride is completed. We did not go wine tasting on this trail ride.
If You Go:
California Ranch Company, CRC Trails by Horseback (951) 297-7150 ext. 5
43101 Anza Rd, Temecula, California 92592
Horseback riding in Temecula Valley wine country review, YouTube video and all photography by Pacific Northwest travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of California Ranch Company and Temecula Wines for review purposes. All opinions are my own.