Horseback Riding in Los Angeles

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Horseback Riding

For adults and kids 7 and over, Bar S Stables (1850 Riverside Dr., just northeast of Griffith Park, Glendale. 818/242-8443) is a no-frills outfit charging $20 per hour and $12 for each additional hour; lessons are also available. Starting at $60 for 70 minutes, the Escape on Horseback Dude Ranch (2623 Old Topanga Rd., Topanga. 818/591-2032. www.losangeleshorsebackriding.com) has guided rides past the giant rock formations of the Santa Monica/Malibu Mountains Conservancy and through countless wildflowers nestled in the area's unique red soil, plus panoramic vistas of Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean. There's also a romantic sunset ride for $85 per person.

Every day, 8 AM to 5 PM, more than 50 mi of Griffith Park's beautiful bridle trails are open to the public via Griffith Park Horse Rentals (480 Riverside Dr., Burbank. 818/840-8401) inside the L.A. Equestrian Center. Rates are $25 for one hour, $30 for 1 1/2 hours, and $35 for two hours (the max). In summer, the Sunset Dinner Ride is a 1 1/2-hour ride plus a Mexican dinner for $40. At J.P. Stables (1914 Mariposa St., Burbank. 818/843-9890), the only limit to your riding time is the endurance of your wallet and your behind; the cost is $25 for the first hour and $15 each additional hour. Hours are 7:30-4:30. Rates at Sunset Ranch (3400 Beachwood Dr., at Griffith Park's southwestern end. 323/469-5450. 323/461-3061) are $20 for one hour, $35 for two hours (the maximum). Among the package rides are a sunset ride to Mt. Hollywood ($40-$65) and a Friday-evening trail ride over the hill into Burbank, where riders dine at a Mexican restaurant (starting at $60, dinner not included).

A caveat or two: as docile as the horses may seem, they are not golf carts! Total newbies should stick with the easiest rides. Additionally, novice or not, you are wise to check (or ask the stable folks) that the saddle cinch is tight enough. Many stables have an upper weight limit of around 200-250 pounds. Some of the rental stables offer lessons, or you can go for the package (evaluation, five lessons, and a horsemanship class) offered at the L.A. Equestrian Center by the Traditional Equitation School (480 Riverside Dr., Burbank. 818/569-3666. www.tes-laec.com), for $195 and up.