Transfer Option:

You will ride and explore a different area and trail each day.  There will be several mornings where you load the horses into a trailer and transfer to the riding area (ex. Redwood Forest).

Sample Itinerary

Day 2  Tuesday:  After breakfast drive and meet up with your guide and horses and build your own trail lunch from a wide variety of lunch meats, lettuce, tomatoes etc. Ride through Jackson State Forest, along the headwaters of the Noyo River, under the towering Redwoods. Enjoy the picnic lunch in the forest, which is then 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 Mendocino for overnight.

Day 3  Wednesday: After a full breakfast, meet again at the 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!

Day 4  Thursday:  After breakfast your fourth day of riding takes you along the bluffs and sands of 10-Mile Beach where you will be thrilled by some beautiful long canters in the salty ocean air! 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 at your inn, Hill House, with a small party get-together afterwards to complete the fun day.

Day 5  Friday: After another country breakfast, meet your horses today 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 10-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 lighting. Then the hot tub awaits you, as does a long walk on the beach, before a 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. Up to you!

Day 6  Saturday 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.

Day 7  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

Special trip dates: 
July 16, 2012:       Mendocino Music Festival       -- one night entry to the Music Festival is included. A Premium Wine Tasting opportunity is available at extra cost.
August 28, 2012:  Endurance Training and Race -- Train With Lari Shea and compete on Sunday in a 30 or 50 mile race. Premium Wine tasting is included on Friday night.
 
    Mendocino Music Festival

The climate of the Mendocino Coast is moderate. Summers are warm and winters are mild and wet. Average annual rainfall is approximately 40 inches with the majority falling between November and April. Temperatures can possibly range from  35F minimum in January to an average of 76 F in October. Humidity is moderate to high year round. Prevailing winds are west to southwest at 11 mph average.

Max & Min Average Temperatures (F) - per month

Jan     56.1     48.5    
Feb     56.7     46.5    
Mar     57.2     44.8    
Apr     55.1     45.7    
May     55.7     48.2   
Jun     57.9     50.4    
July     62.3     54.0    
Aug     60.8     50.9    
Sep     62.6     53.9    
Oct     62.1     48.8   
Nov     58.6     48.4    
Dec     57.6     47.9    
  

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, chap stick, small plastic water bottle, band aids, antibiotic ointment, and anything else such as tampons 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!)

We are proud to incorporate responsible and sustainable practices into every ride and action. We strive to promote the best in eco-tourism:

"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." For us, eco-tourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel.

This means that we follow the following eco-tourism principles (and encourage others -- our guests, and other tour operators to do so, too):

• minimize impact

• build environmental and cultural awareness and respect

• provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts

• provide direct financial benefits for conservation

• provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people

• raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate

We love to travel, and enjoy bringing our guests to Nature on the backs of our wonderful horses. For our travels to be sustainable, we must satisfy this crucial condition:
We must meet the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future.

On the Redwood Coast Ride you will be staying at the Hill House in Mendocino (subject to availability).

The Hill House Inn of Mendocino, is a boutique hotel and restaurant which has the warmth and charm of a small Bed and Breakfast, with stunning views from their hill top setting overlooking the historic Mendocino Village and Northern California's beautiful Pacific coastline. The Inn is situated in lush Victorian gardens, among open fields with native vegetation, towering rustic redwood water towers and magnificent cypress trees. Just twelve miles south of the riding stables, the convenient hill top setting overlooks historic Mendocino Village, within walking distance to the many restaurants, galleries and shops that the village has to offer. Mendocino Headlands State Park and Big River Beach surrounds the tiny town located on a peninsula jutting out into the ocean. Garden Rooms as the Hill House Inn offer polished brass beds with cozy comforters and elegant furnishing with modern bathrooms. Upgrades to ocean view rooms are available.



The wine list and wine bar offer selections from Northern California as well as unique, hard to find and highly rated Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa wines. Guests are literally steps from unique shops, galleries, wine tasting. In case a non rider will accompany you - you will be across the street from the Mendocino Headlands, Pacific Ocean, and Big River where boating, fishing, hiking, and kayaking are nearby. Spa services, tennis and golf are readily available by appointment.

Remember `Murder She Wrote` - Hill House of Cabot Cove
You may feel a sense of deja vu... "Have I been here before?" Perhaps not, but you have probably seen it on TV~~~ The Hill House of Mendocino was frequently used as the location for "Murder, She Wrote". You may envision Angela Langsbury sitting by the fire. Make sure to have your photo taken in front of the double sided sign outside... one version of which reads: "Hill House of Cabot Cove."

Mendocino

Discover Mendocino County, where Pacific coastal villages, the great redwood forest and America’s Greenest Wine Region™ beckon you to escape to a slower pace. Come sit by the fire, savor a delicious Mendocino vintage, stare up into a mighty Redwood tree or watch migrating whales from the porch of one of our unique inns. Mendocino County is just a couple hours north of San Francisco where you’ll feel so far away from it all.
Mendocino County embodies the very best that California and Mother Nature has to offer. Come sit by the fire, savor a delicious Mendocino vintage, stare up into a mighty redwood tree or watch migrating whales from the porch of your inn. Serenity and wilderness plus indulgence and enjoyment – all await you.
Mendocino County knows how to celebrate. Our festivals include celebrations of our signature local foods such as crab, salmon, abalone and mushrooms and many wonderful events that feature our wines and locally brewed beers.
The winter holidays are a magical time in Mendocino County, with annual traditions that stretch back generations and delight young and old alike. Other annual events celebrate whales, music, art, film, vintage locomotives and California’s oldest continuous rodeo.
No matter the time of year, there is always a unique, fun and unforgettable experience to be had in Mendocino County!

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.