Hollywood is probably the most famous part of Los Angeles and it is home to big dreams and glamorous lifestyles. An iconic feature of Hollywood is the Hollywood sign which is situated on a mountainside in the star-studded Hollywood Hills neighborhood. The Hollywood sign was raised in 1923 by real estate developer Harry Chandler and is reported to have cost $21,000 to construct and assemble. It originally read “Hollywoodland” which was meant to draw attention to a neighborhood in the area. However, in 1949, when the sign was restored, the “land” portion of the sign was removed and what remains today is the more noteworthy Hollywood sign.
There is much to do and see in this touristic mecca, take a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, enjoy an open-air bus tour that visits local landmarks and celebrity’s homes, or if you are feeling a bit melodic, you can view a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The options in this touristic hub are seemingly endless. A lesser known option is a horseback ride adjacent to the Hollywood sign.
In the midst of the glitz and glamour of the city lies Sunset Ranch, a small piece of country in the big city. As you arrive at the property you are met with neighs, snorts, and nickers as the horses eat and play in their large corrals. It is evident that these horses are well cared for and happy living on the ranch.
Sunset Ranch offers three different riding tours: an evening tour, 1 hour tour, and an 2 hour riding tour. The evening tour is a two hour riding tour that provides you an expansive view of Los Angeles during its golden hour. Per their website, the evening tour costs $95 per person and is available Sunday-Friday at either 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., or 5:00 p.m. The 1 hour tour is available everyday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is a bargain at only $50. The 2 hour riding tour is the one that we chose. This tour is available everyday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is $75 per person. We were glad that we chose the longer tour because as they say, time flies when you’re having fun and this tour was no exception.
The riding tour was both relaxing and exciting. It takes you through the hills of Griffith Park a provides breathtaking views wherever you look. The guides are very friendly and conscientious of how you are feeling throughout the entire ride, they even provided us with water bottles to ensure we kept hydrated on the hot summer day. As all horse have different personalities and thus levels of difficulty controlling, the guides pair you with a particular horse based on your riding experience. Being a novice rider, I was paired with an older horse who was very docile. The advanced rider in our group was given a mustang to ride and the difference in the horses level of assertiveness was evident.
Our visit to Sunset Ranch was beyond what we expected. It was an experience we raved about for weeks, telling anyone who would listen that they had to make time to visit the ranch and enjoy it themselves. The quirky personalities of the horses, picturesque landscapes, and friendly ranch personnel made for an exceptional experience. If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, schedule a ride with Sunset Ranch we guarantee it will not dissappoint!
Kat + Alex’s Inside Scoop:
- Horses are trained to walk near edge of mountain; if you are fearful of heights another flatter ride may be a better option.
- If you spot extra hay on the ground, you are allowed to hand feed it to the horses and they will love you for it! Just make sure to feed them with an open palm or risk getting a chomp on your finger like I did..
- This may be obvious, but wear clothes you are willing to get dirty because you will definitely get dusty and dirty (but it’s totally worth it!)
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in a saddle.”
~Winston Churchhill~
Saddle up and get out there!
Kat + Alex ~ ✨
LoCALs 