Malibu Horseback Riding Adventures
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Malibu from horseback through the stunning Santa Monica Mountains. Professional outfitters offer guided trail rides that showcase spectacular Pacific Ocean views, secluded mountain canyons, and pristine wilderness areas just minutes from Zuma Beach. Whether you're a complete beginner or experienced rider, Malibu's horseback riding adventures provide unforgettable experiences through some of California's most scenic terrain.
The Santa Monica Mountains offer diverse trail systems ranging from gentle coastal rides to challenging mountain ascents, all accompanied by expert guides who ensure safety while sharing local knowledge about the area's natural history, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Most rides welcome beginners with calm, well-trained horses and comprehensive instruction, making horseback riding accessible to visitors of all experience levels.
Premier Horseback Riding Operators
High Horse Malibu - Intimate Latigo Canyon Experiences
Location: 2142 Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu, CA 90265
Phone: (310) 494-1477 / (424) 346-4590
Email: [email protected]
Latigo Canyon Trail Ride - $175 per person: Experience Malibu's most intimate horseback riding adventure on this 1.5-hour guided trail through secluded Latigo Canyon. Limited to just 4 riders per group, these rides offer Pacific Ocean views to the west and Santa Monica Mountains vistas to the east, providing an exclusive and personalized experience away from crowds.
Each ride begins with 15 minutes of comprehensive instruction, ensuring comfort and safety for riders of all levels. Professional guides capture photos throughout the journey, documenting your adventure against Malibu's spectacular backdrop. Daily sunset rides are available for those seeking the magic of golden hour from horseback, when the mountains glow and the Pacific Ocean reflects brilliant colors.
Private Rides Available: Enhance your experience with private rides for an additional $75 per rider, perfect for special occasions, romantic getaways, or those preferring completely personalized instruction and pacing.
Requirements: Minimum age 8 years. Weight limits vary by height: under 5'7" up to 175 lbs, 5'8"-6' up to 200 lbs, 6ft+ up to 220 lbs. Helmets provided but not required. Closed-toe shoes essential.
Malibu Riders - Over 30 Years of Trail Excellence
Phone: (818) 510-2245
Experience: Over 30 years serving Malibu and Agoura Hills
Service: 20% gratuity automatically added at checkout
With over three decades of experience, Malibu Riders offers the most comprehensive selection of trail rides in the region, operating from both Malibu and Agoura Hills locations. All trails remain unaffected by recent fires, ensuring consistent availability and pristine riding conditions.
Trail Options & Pricing:
Zuma Ocean View 1.5-Hour Ride - $200: The fan favorite trail offering Malibu's best mountain and ocean views. This intermediate ride showcases the dramatic coastline from elevated mountain perspectives, providing Instagram-worthy photo opportunities and breathtaking vistas that capture the essence of Southern California's natural beauty.
Malibu Creek 2-Hour Adventure - $200: The most popular trail accommodating all skill levels through diverse terrain including creeks, meadows, and forested areas. Located in Agoura Hills, this extended ride allows deeper exploration of the Santa Monica Mountains' ecosystem while learning about local flora, fauna, and geological formations.
Zuma 1-Hour Mountain Experience - $125: Perfect introduction to Malibu horseback riding featuring beautiful mountain scenery and peaceful creek beds. Ideal for beginners or those with limited time who still want to experience the magic of riding through Malibu's wilderness.
Paramount Ranch 1-Hour Trail - $100: The entry-level option showcasing Santa Monica Mountains landscapes, seasonal creek crossings, and wildflower displays (spring season). This historic ranch setting has served as a filming location for countless Western movies and television shows, adding cultural significance to natural beauty.
Malibu Creek Private 2-Hour Rides: Custom pricing available for intimate private experiences. These are the wranglers' personal favorite trails, offering exclusive access to secluded areas and personalized instruction tailored to individual preferences and skill levels.
Important: Arrive 45 minutes early for check-in, safety briefing, and horse matching. Closed-toe shoes required for all rides.
What to Expect on Your Ride
Pre-Ride Experience
Professional outfitters ensure every rider feels confident and prepared before mounting. Comprehensive safety briefings cover basic riding techniques, horse behavior, and trail-specific considerations. Horses are carefully matched to rider experience and comfort level, with calm, well-trained animals that respond well to novice riders.
Most operators provide helmets and can accommodate various safety equipment requests. Guides assess individual needs and adjust stirrups, reins, and safety equipment for optimal comfort and control throughout the ride.
Trail Highlights
Spectacular Views: Trails feature multiple vantage points showcasing the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island (on clear days), downtown Los Angeles skyline, and the dramatic Santa Monica Mountains landscape. Seasonal variations provide different visual experiences, from spring wildflower displays to dramatic winter storm formations over the ocean.
Wildlife Encounters: Riders frequently spot red-tailed hawks, deer, rabbits, and various songbird species. Mountain trails may offer glimpses of coyotes, bobcats, or mountain lions from safe distances, while guides share knowledge about local ecosystem relationships and conservation efforts.
Cultural and Historical Sites: Many trails pass through areas with rich Native American history, including ancient Chumash settlements and traditional gathering sites. Some routes traverse former movie ranch locations where countless Western films and television shows were produced.
Photography and Memories
Professional guides capture high-quality photos throughout rides, ensuring guests receive memorable documentation of their adventure. Popular photo stops include elevated ocean viewpoints, dramatic rock formations, and scenic creek crossings that showcase Malibu's diverse landscapes.
Guides often know the best lighting conditions and scenic backgrounds, creating professional-quality images without interrupting the natural flow of the ride experience.
Seasonal Riding Considerations
Spring (March-May): Ideal riding conditions with mild temperatures, wildflower blooms, and lush green landscapes. Creek crossings may feature seasonal water flow, and wildflower displays peak in April and early May, creating spectacular natural color displays.
Summer (June-August): Warm conditions require extra hydration and sun protection. Early morning and sunset rides are most comfortable, with dramatic lighting conditions for photography. Ocean breezes provide cooling relief on coastal trails.
Fall (September-November): Perfect riding weather with comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and excellent visibility for distant views. Fall colors in deciduous trees create beautiful contrasts against the evergreen chaparral landscape.
Winter (December-February): Mild conditions with potential for dramatic weather patterns and storm formations over the ocean. Clear winter days offer exceptional long-distance visibility, sometimes extending to Mexico's coastline.
Combination Adventures
Many outfitters offer combination experiences that pair horseback riding with other Malibu attractions. Popular combinations include riding followed by wine tasting at nearby Cornell Winery or other Malibu Coast AVA locations, creating full-day adventure experiences.
Sunset rides often conclude near restaurants or cafes, allowing riders to continue their Malibu experience with dinner overlooking the ocean. Some operators provide restaurant recommendations and can coordinate timing for seamless transitions between activities.
Safety and Preparation
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes with low heels (hiking boots or sneakers ideal), long pants for comfort and protection, and layers for changing mountain conditions. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats recommended for UV protection.
What to Bring: Water bottles (especially summer rides), cameras or smartphones for personal photos (in addition to guide-provided photography), and small backpacks if needed for personal items.
Fitness Requirements: Most rides accommodate various fitness levels, though mountain terrain requires basic physical stability and the ability to mount and dismount horses with assistance. Operators provide mounting blocks and assistance as needed.
Age and Weight Restrictions: Minimum ages vary by operator (typically 8+ years). Weight limits ensure both rider and horse safety, with specific requirements varying by horse size and trail difficulty.
Booking and Availability
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak season (summer months and weekends) and for sunset rides. Many operators require 24-48 hour advance booking to ensure horse and guide availability.
Weather cancellations are rare due to Southern California's mild climate, but operators prioritize safety and may reschedule rides during extreme weather conditions or high fire danger periods.
Group discounts may be available for larger parties, and many operators accommodate special occasions with customized experiences, decorations, or extended ride options for celebrations, proposals, or corporate events.