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Canter along deserted ocean beaches, ride the bluffs while the Pacific crashes against rocks far below, and meander on mossy trails through the magnificent Redwood forest on this distinctive vacation on Northern California's rugged Mendocino Coast. This is an area of great beauty, rich in wildlife, where time flows at it's own pace; the ghosts of Russian, Spanish and English adventurers tenaciously cling to this isolated part of the world. Lari Shea, winner of dozens of endurance events, including the prestigious Tevis Cup 100 Mile Endurance race, breeds Akhal-Teke, Russian Orlov crosses, and Arabians, many of whom have excelled in dressage and jumping, as well as on competitive trails. Her Appy and Quarter horses round out the stable of wonderfully well-trained horses, for both English and Western style enthusiasts. You won't believe the quality of the horses!
The Redwood Coast Riding Vacation ranges for many miles along ocean beaches, through a working cattle ranch, and up into the coastal mountain range, richly covered with towering conifers, offering views that stretch to eternity. Lodging is at the luxurious Hill House Inn of Mendocino overlooking the Village, complete with elegant dining including fine California wines, delightful hot tubs under the stars, and internationally acclaimed musicians entertaining you at night. |
"You really know how to plan a 5-star vacation from beginning to end: the horses... the trails... the weather (how'd you do that?!)... the Inns... the food... the entertainment (WOW!)... all were exceptional."
-- Susan and Don Katz, Monsey, New York "Your horses are outstanding. Your terrain is spectacular. We thoroughly enjoyed the cuisine and accommodations throughout the week. We have ridden in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Portugal, Mexico and the Caribbean, and your ride is one of the very best."
-- Jery M. Lougheed, Jr., Ontario, Canada |
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date |
vacation |
double occupancy |
single occupancy |
| September 13-19 | Indian Summer Riding Vacation | $2,295 | $2,670 |
| October 4 - 10 | Best of the Season Send-Off Spectacular | $2,295 | $2,670 |
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date |
vacation |
double occupancy |
single occupancy |
| May 16-22 | Spring Wildflower Extravaganza! | $2,295 | $2,670 |
| June 13-19 | Summer Solstice Redwood & Beach Riding Vacation | $2,295 | $2,670 |
| July 11-17 | Equine, Wine and Song Redwood Coast Riding Vacation includes Wine Tour & Mendocino Music Festival click for more information Folks joining us for this ride will be treated to the world class Mendocino Music Festival For more information about the festival, visit their website. |
$2,695 | $3,145 |
$100PRICE REDUCTIONFROM LAST FOUR YEARS | |||
(Folks may opt for a regular Redwood Coast Riding Vacation for $2,295, or the Equine, Wine & Song, which includes four nights at the world famous Mendocino Music Festival, plus one day on the 6.5 hour Mendo Wine Tour, visiting four or five wineries in a stretch limo, with custom wine tours conducted by the owners/managers of unique wineries and gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Those who do not take the Equine, Wine & Song option will have a short 1.5 hour trailride on the morning the others take the wine tour, and will be on their own for lunch that day. Normally, we have entertainment two nights on a Redwood Coast Riding Vacation, but during this week, there will be no entertainment for folks not attending the Music Festival.) | |||
| August 22-28 | Summer Coastal Cool Off Days |
$2,295 | $2,670 |
| September 12-18 | Indian Summer Riding Vacation | $2,295 | $2,670 |
| October 3 - 9 | Best of the Season Send-Off Spectacular | $2,295 | $2,670 |
ONLINE RESERVATIONS |
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Beach and Redwood Forest vacation packages are available during unscheduled
weeks. The same itinerary applies, however evening entertainment is only
available during the scheduled vacations listed above. Restaurants catering
to custom riding vacations may vary from those featured during scheduled
vacations. Custom scheduled Beach and Redwood Forest Riding Vacations are
the same price ($2,295.00 since 2009). |
"Count on spending at least five...hours in the saddle cantering along endless beaches, climbing through Redwood forests, and picking your way
along razor-backed ridges with views that, depending on which way you look, seem to go all the way to Nevada or Japan. Ricochet Ridge Ranch chooses the Inns on the horse trek by the quality of their hot tubs. The rational: 'We ride hard enough to deserve them.'"
-- DIVERSION Magazine |
     | After your three and a half hour drive from San Francisco takes you through the famous "wine country" and checking into the nearby Hill House Inn of Mendocino, plan to arrive at the Ricochet Ridge Ranch stables by 2:00 p.m. dressed to ride. There will be an indoor orientation, a riding demonstration by the ride organizer, and an introduction to the horses, followed by a trail ride on the beach. Dinner will be at the Cliff House restaurant overlooking the Pacific, with beautiful views of Noyo harbor and sunset. Lodging all week is at the elegant Hill House Inn, where many episodes of the TV show "Murder, She Wrote" were filmed. Next day, ride through Jackson State Forest, along the headwaters of the Noyo River, under the towering redwoods. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest, followed by a long afternoon ride along the old Indian Springs Trail. There are ample opportunities for long trots and canters while exploring the ridge tops and forests. Dinner will be at Chapter and Moon at Noyo Harbor wharf, returning to Hill House for overnight. On your third day, after a full breakfast at the Garden Room of the Mendocino Hotel, meet at the Ricochet Ridge Ranch stables for a shorter leisurely ride on a different section of State Park overlooking the ocean. Lunch will be at a local café overlooking the Mendocino Bay. The afternoon is free for all to explore the charming town of Mendocino with its many craft shops, galleries and beaches. After dinner at the lovely Mendocino Hotel, enjoy a private concert just for your entertainment. After a continental breakfast your fourth day of riding takes you along the bluffs and sand of Ten Mile Beach, where you will thrill to some beautiful long canters. Turn inland by the river and climb back into the redwoods. Lunch is high on a ridge top with a inspiring view of the ocean to the west and the forests to the east. After lunch there are opportunities for more long trots and canters before arriving back at the trail head. Dinner and overnight at the Hill House Inn, with a party get-together to complete the day. On the next day, meet your horses and begin an adventurous ride that takes you along ridge tops with mountain views, then down into the river valley beyond. Lunch is along the Ten Mile River, or among a grove of giant redwoods. Learn more about the conditioning of the sport horse on an optional long distance trek with mock endurance ride vet checks. Riders not wishing to participate can relax at the lunch spot awhile longer and depart earlier for the return ride to the trailhead. Dinner is at the Bay View Café overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Your last day of riding takes you back through ranch lands and canter up a long gradual trail to the very peak of the mountain where you are on top of the world. Head back toward the ocean following different forest trails before stopping for a picnic lunch in the sand dunes along the Ten Mile River estuary. After lunch, ride on the beach for another eight miles, cantering in the ocean spray while looking for whales and seals offshore. Return to your accommodations for a dinner celebration at the Mendocino Hotel, with entertainment by well-known Mendocino musicians, and your last night at Hill House. After a restful night and breakfast, departure after breakfast at the Mendocino Hotel. * ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORSEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES *
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THE HILL HOUSE INN 10701 Palette Drive Mendocino, CA 95460 800.422.0554 PROTECTIVE RIDING HELMETS
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For daily or mulitiday trailrides,
call Ricochet Ridge Ranch: 888-873-5777 (toll free) or 707-964-7669 For weeklong or custom riding vacations ONLY, call Lari's home office: 707-964-9669 |
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| Ricochet Ridge Ranch is for sale. If you are interested, click here for the sale prospectus page. |
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last updated 8 August 2010 :m: 11:21 Caspar (Pacific) time all content and photos copyright © 2001-2009 by Lari Shea, Ricochet Ridge Ranch except as noted | ||
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