Transfer Option:

Day 1  Monday: Check in at the lovely Cleone Gardens Inn at 1:30 PM. Then meet at the riding center at 2:00 PM for an orientation and first trail ride on the beach. During orientation, you will learn a bit about your guides, the other riders, and the horse you will ride during the week. After the orientation and riding demonstration, we head down the beach for a lovely first day of riding, giving you an opportunity to "audition" your horse and tack before heading out to the forest for an all day ride tomorrow. After your ride, a three course dinner with wine awaits you at the Cliff House restaurant, a lovely cliff side establishment with views over the Noyo Harbor, bay and ocean.
 
Day 2  Tuesday morning, your breakfast will be served out of doors on the deck at the Cleone Gardens Inn. After breakfast meet up with your horses and build your lunch from a wide variety of lunch meats, lettuce, tomatoes etc.
 On this day, we head out to Jackson State Forest, and ride all day in this 54,000 acre gem, the largest State Forest in California. We traverse old stagecoach roads, riding along the headwaters of the Noyo River, revisiting the trails used in the Mendocino 50 and 100 mile endurance races. After the ride, return to the Cleone Gardens for an early evening hot tub, before heading to Silver's at the Wharf Restaurant. At the Wharf, we will watch sea lions in the harbor, as fishing boats cruise in and out of the bay. Your three course dinner with wine can include the freshest catch of the day...right out of our pristine waters. 
 
Day 3  Wednesday morning, after breakfast on the deck, you will check out of the Cleone Gardens Inn and head out on a shorter, leisurely ride along the bluffs overlooking the ocean on a different section of beach trail. Make sure to bring your cameras along, as this is a fabulous day for photos. After your ride, head to Mendocino. The afternoon is free to explore the many art galleries, shops and beaches in the town used as the location for over thirty movies and TV shows, including "Murder, She Wrote". The elegant Hill House Inn provides lodging overlooking picturesque Mendocino Village with pianist Susan Archuletta performing her original compositions in the evening.
 
Day 4  Thursday morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before checking out and heading back your horses. After building your lunch, everyone will receive a stethoscope and learn how to take your horse's resting pulse rate. Then we're off to Ten Mile Beach, where we can canter on for miles and miles. At the estuary, we strike north, passing virgin redwood trees thousands of years old, and heading to the top of Simcha Ranch, with fabulous 360 degree views overlooking the river valley and the Pacific Ocean. And, there's a surprise at lunch! After lunch, there are more opportunities for long trots and canters before heading to our trail head at the Orca Pasture Cattle Ranch. Here, your cars will meet you, so that you will transport yourselves the last miles to the "Lost Coast" at Howard Creek Ranch, a charming, renovated Victorian farm and carriage house Inn on 60 acres next to the ocean, surrounded by miles of beach and mountains, with excellent dining. We will stay here the next three nights. The Farm has recently added a massage studio; therapists are available on site, by appointment for a variety of treatments. Their beautiful out-of-doors hot tub is high on the hill, with a spectacular view of the ocean, and the indoor hot tub is convenient to all our rooms. An up-grade to a spectacular suite with private Jacuzzi tub is also available.
 
Day 5  Friday morning, after another wonderful country breakfast, meet your horses at the Orca Pasture. Today's ride can include a "mock endurance ride", where we teach you more about sport horse conditioning and veterinary skills. You'll learn to check your horse's cardiac and respiratory recovery rates, capillary refill, skin response, muscle tone and gut sounds, just as is done at a "vet check" on a competitive trail ride, 3 day event, or endurance ride. We ride along ridge tops with mountain views, and down into the river valley beyond. Lunch is along the beautiful Ten Mile River, or among a grove of giant redwoods. This afternoon, folks who would like to learn a bit more about the pace of endurance riding may do so on the optional Manchester Ranch loop. As always, this day includes many opportunities for trotting and cantering, We return to the Orca Pasture via Abalobadia Gulch, an ethereal fern canyon complete with a babbling brook, giant trees and incredible light. The hot tub awaits you, as does a long walk on the beach, before another four course meal. Tonight is Talent Night, and you get to show off your stuff....sing a song, read a poem, tell a joke. Or just sit back and relax, and let the others entertain you. 
 
Day 6  Saturday morning after breakfast, we ride through the vast Orca cattle ranch. Today we'll canter up a long gradual trail to the very peak of the mountain, where we are literally "on top of the world"....the views are absolutely spectacular. Forging on, we head back towards the beach following a different section of forest trails before stopping for lunch in the sand dunes along the estuary, a great afternoon respite for bird watching along the river banks. After lunch, dreams come true as we canter for miles along Ten Mile Beach, arriving back at the stables in a spirit of camaraderie. After your ride, it's back to Howard Creek for one last hot tub before our farewell dinner celebration and entertainment for renowned local musicians at our last night boogie! 
 
Day 7  On Sunday after breakfast, it is "adios" to the Mendocino Coast. A late afternoon flight out of San Francisco or Oakland Airport affords you the ability to stop for some wine tasting along the way in the renowned Anderson Valley wine region. If you'd like to stay on an extra day or two at the end of your trip, enjoying a fully guided, limousine driven wine tour, or just to savor more of what the Mendocino Coast has to offer, please let us know and we will be happy to make the arrangements for you.

  Subject to change 

-- see Special  Equine, Wine and Song trip itinerary
 

The weather on the Mendocino Coast is generally mild, rarely rising above 80 degrees F., even in the summer. When the fog rolls in, it can be chilly enough for winter weight jackets, scarves, and riding gloves. Although rain is rare during summer months, anything is possible, and guests on longer rides should bring full rain gear in order to assure sunshine. Sunglasses are advised to shield the eyes from both glare and dust. Winter rarely sees snow, and non-rainy days are usually sunny and lovely. The trails remain safe.

Riders are welcome to bring their own saddles. Please indicate the style, size, and brand name of your saddle if you do so. In order that we can best match you with a suitable horse, please send a detailed description of your riding experience, current riding situation, preference for type of horse, and your height, age, and weight.
Vacation guests should bring a personal first aid kit in a small bag. Back packs are not safe for riding purposes. Please include insect repellant, sun screen, personal allergy medication, aspirin, "moleskin" to pad rubs, a loud whistle, sharp pocket knife, chapstick, small plastic water bottle, bandaids, antibiotic ointment, and anything else such as tampax or compass that you think you might use. Don't forget your camera, and do bring whatever musical instruments you might play. Ricochet Ridge Ranch can provide you with a saddle or cantle bag.
Although a car is useful for facilitating moves between our three different lodges, it is not required. If necessary, you and your luggage will be transported to each night's lodging. Remember to pack sufficient riding clothes, and appropriate changes for comfort at night. You will need a bathing suit for the hot tubs.
The most common rider problem on long rides is always LEGS RUBBED RAW. Unless you wear English riding breeches, please consider doing as most experienced endurance riders do - WEAR PANTY HOSE UNDER YOUR LEVIS. At the very least, bring some in your saddle bag to use as necessary. (World renowned endurance rider Dr. Kerry Ridgway highly recommends "Big Mamma's" for men!)

On the Redwood Coast Ride you will be staying at:
Cleone Gardens Inn   (Monday and Tuesday)
The Hill House Inn  in Mendocino (entertainment Wednesday eve)
Howard Creek Ranch  (Thursday to Sunday)

Howard Creek Ranch Inn is an historic, 60 acre, ocean front farm; bordered by miles of beach and mountains on the beautiful Mendocino Coast. We are a family owned and run business. Howard Creek Ranch is a Mendocino County Registered Historic Site nominated to the Federal Register of Historic Places.The Ranch offers farm animals, award winning gardens, fireplaces/wood stoves, a 75 foot swinging foot bridge over Howard Creek, a hot tub, sauna and German masseuse. 
Accommodations include cabins, suites and rooms furnished with antiques, large comfortable beds, and handmade quilts with views of the ocean, mountains, creek or gardens. Full ranch breakfast included: Breakfast is a hearty farm meal with fresh juice, omelets, bacon, sausage, hot cakes, fried potatoes, grits, and baked apples with granola and whipped cream. Coffee is strong and early. Tea is available anytime. Menus change daily. Vegetarians gladly accommodated.
The Ranch was settled in 1867 as a land grant of thousands of acres and included a sheep and cattle ranch, and a blacksmith shop. Horses, cows, sheep, Llama, and a pygmy goat graze the pastures. The buildings are constructed from virgin redwood from the ranch forest. A 75 foot swinging bridge spans Howard Creek as it flows past barns and cabins to the beach 300 yards away.
The ranch now offers wireless internet access.

Accommodation upgrade option:
We can upgrade your accommodations for the first three nights at the Hill House Inn of Mendocino instead of the Cleone Gardens Inn, and in a private cabin or suite with private hot tub at Howard Creek Ranch the last three nights.


On the special Equine, Wine and Song Ride you will be staying at:

Lodging at the lovely Hill House Inn of Mendocino, a luxurious hotel and restaurant with the warmth and charm of a small bed and breakfast. The convenient hill top setting overlooks historic Mendocino Village and Northern California's stunningly beautiful Pacific coastline. Mendocino Headlands State Park and Big River Beach surrounds the tiny town located on a peninsula jutting out into the ocean. Garden Rooms at the Hill House Inn offer polished brass beds with cozy comforters and elegant furnishings with modern bathrooms. The Hill House Inn is located in just outside town, within walking distance to the many restaurants, galleries and shops that the village has to offer. Upgrades to ocean view rooms are available.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.