🗓️ Last Updated: Spring 2025

Horseback Riding in Los Angeles, CA

Most people don’t realize you can ride a horse inside Griffith Park and see the Hollywood Sign from the saddle. Or take a 26-mile ferry to Catalina Island and ride historic ridgelines above the harbor with the Pacific stretching out in every direction. Both are real, both are bookable, and neither requires a drive to the suburbs.

If you’re searching for horseback riding near you while you’re in Los Angeles, this page covers two genuinely distinct experiences. Sunset Ranch Hollywood offers a 2-hour summit ride inside Griffith Park from the Hollywood Hills, with 360-degree views including the Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, Catalina Island, and the LA basin — all from the top of Mt. Hollywood. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures, established in 2025 after a 17-year absence of riding on the island, offers 75-minute scenic ridgeline rides above Avalon, a 15-minute walk from the ferry pier. Both book directly or via the links below.

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This page covers two featured horseback riding options in and near Los Angeles. Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s Mt. Hollywood 2-hour summit ride puts you at the highest accessible ridgeline in Griffith Park with a 360-degree view that includes the Hollywood Sign, the Observatory, downtown LA, and the Pacific Ocean. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures runs scenic rides above Avalon on Catalina Island, a short ferry ride from Long Beach or San Pedro. If you want to explore more options in the region, browse more horseback riding listings in Los Angeles.

Why Go Horseback Riding Near Los Angeles

Los Angeles surprises people as a horseback riding destination because the city is so associated with freeways and sprawl that most visitors don’t expect trail riding to exist inside it. But Griffith Park covers over 4,000 acres of the Santa Monica Mountains, and Sunset Ranch Hollywood operates inside that park, minutes from Hollywood Boulevard. The trails in the upper section of Griffith Park climb through chaparral and oak woodland to ridgelines where you’re looking at the Hollywood Sign from roughly the same elevation, with the entire LA basin laid out below. That view is the one people come for, and it’s genuinely hard to plan your way into from a car.

Catalina Island is a different category of experience entirely. Twenty-six miles off the coast of Long Beach, the island has its own distinct character from mainland California — quieter, slower, with the Pacific visible in every direction and the town of Avalon tucked into a natural harbor below the ridgelines. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures restored riding to the island in 2025 after a 17-year gap, and the guides carry the equestrian history of the island from the era of El Rancho Escondido and the Wrigley family’s Arabian breeding program. A ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro puts you on the island in about an hour, and the stable is 15 minutes on foot from the Avalon pier.

The logistics for both experiences are notably different from most horseback riding markets. Sunset Ranch Hollywood requires attention to parking — spaces are very limited, and arriving by rideshare is the smarter call. Late arrivals get shortened rides, so plan buffer time. Catalina requires a ferry booking in addition to the ride reservation, but that’s part of the day rather than a complication. For couples wanting the most distinctive LA-area horseback experience, a Catalina day trip with a ridge ride above Avalon is genuinely one of the better combinations in Southern California.

Best Places to Go Horseback Riding Near Los Angeles, CA

Griffith Park is the primary horseback riding venue accessible from central Los Angeles, and Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s Mt. Hollywood trail is the best version of it. The 2-hour ride climbs to the summit of Mt. Hollywood, one of the highest ridgelines in the park, and the 360-degree view from the top is the payoff: the Hollywood Sign close enough to read clearly, the Griffith Observatory on the ridge to the east, the Pacific to the west on clear days, Catalina Island visible offshore, downtown LA to the south, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. That view in a single frame — sitting on a horse on a chaparral ridgeline in a city of 4 million people — is the specific thing that makes this ride distinctive. These trails have been in use since 1929, which gives them a history that most urban trail rides don’t have.

Catalina Island above Avalon is the other riding environment worth knowing about, and it’s genuinely a different landscape from anything on the mainland. The island’s interior rises steeply from the harbor, and the historic ridgeline trails above Avalon open up views of the Pacific and the island’s rugged inland terrain simultaneously. Being on horseback there, looking down at the harbor and out across the channel, feels nothing like a Los Angeles day trip — it feels like a different coast entirely. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures restored these rides in 2025 after the island’s program had been closed since 2008, and the guides bring the island’s equestrian heritage into the ride alongside the scenery.

Riding by Experience Level Near Los Angeles

Both operators on this page welcome all experience levels and require no prior riding knowledge. Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s staff are praised in reviews for thoughtful horse-to-rider matching based on experience and comfort level, and the guides photograph riders throughout the ride. The Mt. Hollywood 2-hour trail involves real elevation gain on chaparral terrain, which is more physically engaging than a flat loop, but the pace is managed by the guides and beginners handle it well in the reviews. Minimum age is 8. In my experience, the urban hillside rides at Sunset Ranch tend to settle first-timers quickly because the dramatic views give nervous riders something compelling to focus on other than the horse itself — and the Mt. Hollywood views are about as compelling as it gets.

Catalina Island Horseback Adventures’ 75-minute ride is appropriate for beginners, and the island setting is a genuinely relaxed environment for a first-time rider. The guides carry the island’s equestrian history into the ride, which gives first-timers context and narrative alongside the scenery. Age and weight requirements for Catalina should be confirmed directly with the operator when you book — the program is new to the platform and requirements may evolve as the operation matures.

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Featured Horseback Riding Providers Near Los Angeles

Not sure which ride is right for you? Here’s the short version:

Best for families and anyone who wants the Hollywood Sign from horseback: Sunset Ranch Hollywood Mt. Hollywood 2-Hour Trail Tour — climbs to the summit of Mt. Hollywood inside Griffith Park for a 360-degree view including the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and the San Gabriel Mountains; bookable on Viator.
Best for couples and anyone wanting a genuinely different LA-area horseback experience: Catalina Island Horseback Adventures — a 75-minute scenic ridgeline ride above Avalon on Catalina Island, 26 miles off the LA coast, newly restored in 2025 after a 17-year absence; books directly at catalinahorseback.com.

Family Primary⭐ 4.4/565 ReviewsAges 8+360° Summit ViewsHollywood Sign Sightlines

Sunset Ranch Hollywood — Mt. Hollywood 2-Hour Trail Tour

Operator: Sunset Ranch Hollywood | Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles | Viator-bookable | Flagged likely to sell out

Best for: Families with riders ages 8 and older, first-timers who want a substantial trail ride with real elevation gain, and anyone who wants the most dramatic panoramic view available from a horse inside the Los Angeles city limits.

The Mt. Hollywood trail ride climbs to the summit of Mt. Hollywood, one of the highest accessible ridgelines in Griffith Park, and what’s at the top is genuinely worth the climb. The 360-degree view from the summit includes the Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island visible offshore on clear days, downtown Los Angeles to the south, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. You’re sitting on a horse looking at all of it at once, in the middle of one of the largest cities in the country, and the experience has a quality of incongruity that reviewers keep circling back to. It doesn’t feel like Los Angeles and it feels exactly like Los Angeles at the same time.

Sunset Ranch Hollywood operates inside Griffith Park on trails that have been in use since 1929. The ranch is the only horseback operation permitted to run guided rides inside the park, and the staff bring a knowledge of the terrain that comes from decades of continuous operation on the same trails. The guides photograph riders throughout the ride, which is a practical feature on a 2-hour summit trail where managing your own phone while riding is impractical. Horse-to-rider matching is based on experience and comfort level, which reviewers consistently call out as one of the things that makes the Sunset Ranch experience feel more thoughtful than comparable operations.

The 2-hour format earns consistently better reviews from riders who have done both the 1-hour and 2-hour versions of the Sunset Ranch trail. The extra hour gives you more time above the ridgeline, more time with the views, and the full summit experience rather than a partial climb. For families with older kids or any group where stamina isn’t a concern, the 2-hour ride is the version worth booking.

Minimum age is 8. The trail is flagged as likely to sell out on the booking platform, and Griffith Park is one of the most visited urban parks in the country. Booking ahead rather than assuming availability is the right approach. One practical note worth knowing before you arrive: parking at Sunset Ranch is very limited. Taking a rideshare rather than driving is strongly recommended. Late arrivals get shortened rides, so build buffer time into whatever route you take.

Duration: 2 hours
Minimum age: 8+
Experience required: None — staff match horses to riders based on experience and comfort level
Summit views: Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, downtown LA, San Gabriel Mountains
Guide photography: Guides photograph riders throughout the ride
Location: Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles — minutes from Hollywood Blvd
Parking: Extremely limited — rideshare strongly recommended; late arrivals get shortened rides
Availability: Year-round; flagged as likely to sell out
Booking: Via Viator

(Based on 65 Viator and TripAdvisor reviews, rated 4.4/5)

Check Availability & Book This Ride on Viator →

Couple / Romantic⭐ 4.9/5Avalon, Catalina Island75 MinutesPacific Ocean ViewsRestored 2025

Catalina Island Horseback Adventures — Scenic Ridgeline Ride above Avalon

Operator: Catalina Island Horseback Adventures | Avalon, Catalina Island — 26 miles off the LA coast | Direct booking via catalinahorseback.com

Best for: Couples and anyone who wants a horseback experience that feels nothing like the mainland, combining a Catalina Island day trip with a scenic ridge ride above Avalon harbor with sweeping Pacific Ocean views.

Catalina Island Horseback Adventures restored riding to Avalon in 2025, ending a 17-year absence after the island’s riding program had been closed since 2008. That restoration matters in context: Catalina has a documented equestrian history going back to the Wrigley family’s El Rancho Escondido Arabian breeding ranch in the 1930s, and the guides at Catalina Island Horseback Adventures carry that history into the ride alongside the Pacific scenery. Getting back on a horse above Avalon in 2025 is riding a tradition that the island had lost and then found again, and that makes the experience feel different from a newly launched tour operation.

The 75-minute ride follows historic ridgeline trails above Avalon, and the views on this ride are genuinely different from anything on the mainland. You’re looking down at the harbor with the Pacific stretching away on the other side, the island’s rugged interior rising around you, and the coast of Southern California visible in the distance on clear days. That combination of harbor below, ocean around, and mountains inland is specific to Catalina’s geography, and it’s the combination that makes this feel like a different California from what you left at the ferry terminal in Long Beach or San Pedro.

The stable is a 15-minute walk from the Avalon ferry pier, which makes the logistical chain straightforward: ferry to Avalon, walk to the stable, ride, walk back, ferry home. No rental car, no navigation through an unfamiliar island. For a couples day trip, the ride works naturally as the centerpiece of the Catalina afternoon, with time before or after for Avalon’s restaurants and harbor. Multiple reviewers describe the combination as one of the better date-day formats accessible from the Los Angeles area.

At a 4.9/5, this is a high early rating from a recently launched program, and it reflects both the quality of the operation and the appeal of the experience itself. The rating should be understood in the context of a newer listing building its review base. That said, a 4.9/5 from any reviewer pool is meaningful signal, and the on-site experience has genuine substance behind it. Book directly through catalinahorseback.com and book your Catalina ferry separately — the Catalina Express ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro is the main mainland connection. Ferry booking is not included in the ride reservation.

Worth knowing for couples specifically: Sunset Ranch Hollywood also runs a Friday and Saturday evening dinner ride that has been a beloved LA date night for years, riding up to a restaurant on the Burbank side of the Hollywood Hills and returning under the stars. That ride books directly at sunsetranchhollywood.com and is not currently on the Viator platform. If Catalina is too far for your schedule, the Sunset Ranch dinner ride is the other genuinely romantic Los Angeles option worth knowing about.

Duration: 75 minutes
Experience required: None — confirm age and weight requirements when booking
Location: Avalon, Catalina Island — 26 miles off the LA coast; 15-minute walk from Avalon ferry pier
Ferry: Book separately via Catalina Express from Long Beach or San Pedro (~60 minutes)
Views: Avalon harbor, Pacific Ocean, island interior, Southern California mainland
Historical context: Restored in 2025 after 17-year absence; guides share Catalina’s equestrian history
Availability: Flagged as likely to sell out on TripAdvisor
Booking: Direct via catalinahorseback.com

(4.9/5 early rating; newly established 2025 — review base building)

Check Availability & Book This Ride Directly →

Who Should Go Horseback Riding Near Los Angeles

Families and visitors who want the Hollywood Sign from horseback

The Sunset Ranch Hollywood Mt. Hollywood 2-hour trail ride is the answer. It’s the only way to reach the summit of Mt. Hollywood on horseback, and the 360-degree view from the top is the most complete single panorama available from a horse inside the Los Angeles city limits. The Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, the Pacific, Catalina Island, downtown, and the San Gabriel Mountains all visible at once. For families visiting LA who want one outdoor activity that captures the city’s geography in a single frame, this is the ride that does it. Minimum age is 8, guides photograph the ride throughout, and the operation runs inside Griffith Park minutes from Hollywood Boulevard.

Couples and anyone wanting something that feels genuinely different from LA

Catalina Island Horseback Adventures is the answer. The ferry to Avalon, the 15-minute walk to the stable, and the 75-minute ride above the harbor give the day a specific arc and destination that mainland alternatives can’t replicate. The Pacific views from the Catalina ridgelines are a different order of scenery from what you see from Griffith Park, and the island setting creates a sense of distance from the city that 26 miles of ocean provides more effectively than any amount of driving. For couples looking for a day that’s memorable specifically because it’s unlike the rest of the LA trip, Catalina is the one I’d recommend. The Sunset Ranch Friday and Saturday dinner ride is the alternative if island logistics don’t fit your schedule — it books directly at sunsetranchhollywood.com.

First-time riders

Both operators on this page are appropriate for people who have never been on a horse before. Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s horse-matching process accounts for rider experience and comfort level, and the guides manage the pace throughout the 2-hour summit trail. In my experience, the dramatic views at the top of Mt. Hollywood work in a first-timer’s favor — the scenery gives nervous riders something genuinely compelling to focus on other than what the horse is doing under them, which helps most people settle in faster than they expect. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures’ newer program is also beginner-appropriate; confirm age and weight requirements when you book.

Visitors who want to maximize a limited LA schedule

The Sunset Ranch Hollywood ride has a significant logistical advantage over most LA-area horseback options: it’s inside the city, minutes from Hollywood Boulevard, accessible without a suburban drive. For visitors with a tight itinerary who want to fit a trail ride into an LA day that already includes other activities, the proximity and the multiple daily departure times at Sunset Ranch make it the most practical choice. The 2-hour summit ride is self-contained, doesn’t require a long drive, and delivers a view of LA that frames everything else you do in the city differently after you’ve seen it.

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What to Know Before You Book Horseback Riding in Los Angeles

Sunset Ranch parking and punctuality — read this before you go

Parking at Sunset Ranch Hollywood is extremely limited. Taking a rideshare rather than driving is strongly recommended and worth planning for specifically. Late arrivals get shortened rides, so build buffer time into your route to the ranch regardless of how you’re getting there. No bags are allowed while riding, so plan to leave belongings at the ranch or keep them minimal.

Catalina Island requires a ferry booking — book both together

The Catalina Island Horseback Adventures ride is on the island, not on the mainland. You’ll need to book a separate ferry ticket from Long Beach or San Pedro via Catalina Express, which takes approximately 60 minutes each way. The stable is a 15-minute walk from the Avalon pier. Plan the full day around the round-trip ferry plus the 75-minute ride, and book the ferry at the same time you book the ride to confirm your schedule works.

Age requirements

Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s Mt. Hollywood trail ride requires riders to be at least 8 years old. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures age and weight requirements should be confirmed directly with the operator when you book — the program is newly established and requirements may be updated. Contact catalinahorseback.com before booking if your group includes younger children or anyone near typical weight limits.

Experience level

No prior riding experience is required at either operator. Sunset Ranch Hollywood matches riders to horses based on experience and comfort level, and guides manage the pace throughout. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures is designed for the full range of rider backgrounds. Mention your experience level when you book or at check-in so the staff can match you appropriately.

What to wear

Closed-toe shoes or boots are required at both operations. Long pants protect your legs in the saddle. For the Sunset Ranch ride in the Hollywood Hills, the chaparral terrain can be brushy and the upper ridgeline is exposed to sun and wind — bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer. For Catalina Island, the ocean breezes on the ridgeline can be cool even on warm mainland days, so a light jacket is worth having.

Book ahead

The Sunset Ranch Mt. Hollywood ride is flagged as likely to sell out on the booking platform, and Griffith Park draws significant visitor traffic year-round. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures is also flagged as likely to sell out on TripAdvisor. For both operations, booking at least several days in advance is the right approach rather than trying for same-day availability. If your LA or Catalina dates are fixed, book the rides before you book anything else on the itinerary.

Weather and seasonal timing

Both operations run year-round. LA’s climate makes Griffith Park rides comfortable in most months, with summer being the most popular time and also the most crowded. Morning departures are smarter than midday rides in summer given the chaparral heat on the upper ridgeline. Catalina Island’s weather is generally mild year-round due to the ocean influence, though the ridgelines can be windy. Neither operation typically cancels for rain, but check with each operator about their weather policy if your visit window has uncertain forecast.

Cancellation policies

The Mt. Hollywood Viator listing’s cancellation terms are set on the booking page — check and understand those before purchasing. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures cancellation policy should be confirmed directly with the operator when you book at catalinahorseback.com. Given the ferry logistics involved in the Catalina trip, understanding both the ride and the ferry cancellation terms before you commit is particularly worth doing.

Horseback Riding in Los Angeles: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Hollywood Sign while riding a horse in Los Angeles?

Yes. Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s Mt. Hollywood 2-hour summit ride reaches the top of Mt. Hollywood inside Griffith Park, where the Hollywood Sign is visible at close range along with the Griffith Observatory, the Pacific Ocean, downtown Los Angeles, Catalina Island offshore, and the San Gabriel Mountains. You’re looking at all of it simultaneously from the saddle. This is the most complete single panoramic view available from a horse inside the city of Los Angeles, and the Hollywood Sign visibility is consistent rather than a sometimes-visible background detail. The ranch operates on trails inside Griffith Park that have been in use since 1929.

Do I need horseback riding experience to book one of these tours?

No. Both operators on this page welcome beginners and first-time riders. Sunset Ranch Hollywood matches riders to horses based on their experience and comfort level before the ride, and guides manage the pace throughout the 2-hour summit trail. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures is designed for riders of all experience levels. No prior riding knowledge is required at either operation.

What age do kids need to be to go horseback riding near Los Angeles?

Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s Mt. Hollywood trail requires riders to be at least 8 years old. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures age and weight requirements should be confirmed directly with the operator at catalinahorseback.com. If your group includes children under 8, contact both operators to understand current options before booking. Sunset Ranch also runs shorter rides with a lower age minimum — confirm current offerings on their booking page.

How far is Sunset Ranch Hollywood from the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Sunset Ranch Hollywood is inside Griffith Park in the Hollywood Hills, literally minutes from Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame. It’s one of the very few horseback riding operations in the country that operates in an urban setting this close to a major tourist district. Parking at the ranch is extremely limited, so taking a rideshare from Hollywood is both the most practical and the most recommended approach. Build in buffer time so a late rideshare doesn’t result in a shortened ride.

How do I get to Catalina Island for the horseback ride?

The Catalina Express ferry runs from Long Beach and San Pedro to Avalon on Catalina Island in approximately 60 minutes. You’ll need to book the ferry separately from the riding reservation at catalinahorseback.com. The Catalina Island Horseback Adventures stable is a 15-minute walk from the Avalon ferry pier. Plan the full day around the round-trip ferry plus the 75-minute ride, and consider how much additional time you want in Avalon before or after the ride for food and exploration.

Is there a romantic horseback riding option near Los Angeles for couples?

Two options worth knowing about. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures runs scenic ridgeline rides above Avalon with Pacific Ocean views from both sides of the island’s ridge — the ferry trip and the island setting create a day that feels genuinely removed from the LA mainland in the best way. And Sunset Ranch Hollywood runs a Friday and Saturday evening dinner ride that has been a beloved LA date night for years: riding up through the Hollywood Hills to a restaurant on the Burbank side, having dinner, and riding back under the stars. The dinner ride books directly at sunsetranchhollywood.com and is not currently on the Viator platform. Both are worth considering depending on whether an island day trip or a Hollywood Hills evening better fits your schedule.

What’s the best time of year for horseback riding near Los Angeles?

Los Angeles horseback riding is available year-round and the climate makes most months comfortable. Spring (March through May) and fall (October through November) are the most pleasant seasons on the Griffith Park trails — temperatures are mild, the chaparral hillsides can be green from winter rains, and the air quality is typically at its best for the views. Summer works but midday heat on the upper ridgeline is real, so morning departures are smarter. Catalina Island’s ocean climate keeps the island mild and consistent year-round, with the ridge sometimes windy regardless of season. The ranch at Sunset Hollywood explicitly flags availability as year-round; the Catalina program should be confirmed for current seasonal schedule.

Can I book an LA horseback ride last minute?

Both operations on this page are flagged as likely to sell out. Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s Mt. Hollywood ride is in one of the most visited urban parks in the country, and popular departure times fill ahead of time. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures is a newer program with limited daily capacity, which makes last-minute availability unpredictable. For either ride, booking at least a few days in advance is the standard approach. For Catalina specifically, you’ll also need to secure ferry tickets at the same time, and Catalina Express ferries can also fill up in peak season.

Ready to Book Horseback Riding in Los Angeles?

Two genuinely different Los Angeles experiences. The Mt. Hollywood summit ride at Sunset Ranch puts you on the highest ridgeline in Griffith Park with the Hollywood Sign, the Observatory, and the entire LA basin visible at once. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures puts you on historic island trails above Avalon with the Pacific stretching away in every direction after a 60-minute ferry from Long Beach. Neither requires a suburban drive and both deliver views that take a while to process.

The Mt. Hollywood ride is bookable on Viator. Catalina Island Horseback Adventures books directly at catalinahorseback.com. Book ahead for both — they fill up.

Sunset Ranch — Mt. Hollywood Summit Ride
Catalina Island Horseback Adventures

LocalHorsebackRiding.com covers horseback riding destinations across all 50 states, with listings and guides for every kind of rider. If you want to explore more options in the Los Angeles area or compare rides in other Southern California destinations, there’s more to dig into below.