About Us
Los Padres Outfitters
Locally owned and operated, Los Padres Outfitters horseback riding adventure provides you with well trained and well cared for horses and mules as well as friendly, knowledgeable guides to make your horseback riding experience the highlight of your vacation to the Santa Barbara area.
Rides & Activities
- Hourly Trail rides and day adventures (Montecito, and throughout the backcountry)
- Spot Pack Trips (Drop Camps, we pack your gear on our mules and drop you off)
- Private Ranch Rides (Saddle Horses Delivered and wranglers provided for your private party or event)
- Wedding Party Outings, Bachelor and Bachelorette Rides
- The Quick Trip Package (A one-nighter, where you’ll meet us first thing in the morning for breakfast at the trailhead, and then enjoy a scenic ride into camp. A steak dinner is served with views of California’s iconic mountain ranges as your backdrop… You’ll sleep under the stars or in one of our tents that you can request, waking up to hot coffee and a pancake breakfast to enjoy before we ride out of the backcountry, giving you enough time to be back in town by early evening).
We offer a variety of services from Multi-Day Fully Catered Gourmet pack trips, to Beach and Trail Rides. Join us on a horseback trip that you won’t forget. Horseback riding experience is not necessary, our friendly guides will assist you with every aspect of your tour.
Our Horses and Mules
We are very pleased with our 25 plus head of quarter horses and 30 plus mules and know you will be too. Our animals get a ton of great exposure from backcountry pack trips to downtown parades and wild movie shoots. We work very hard with our dude horses to make sure they provide each rider with a fun and, most of all, safe ride! Our excellent wranglers do their best to match you with an animal that will not only suit your abilities but also your personality. Our experienced, well trained, beautiful horses and mules have wonderful dispositions. Come out and meet them for yourself!
FAQs & Policies
To ensure your enjoyment and safety while on our trail rides, Los Padres Outfitters observes the following guidelines:
Payments
Los Padres Outfitters accepts all major credit cards. Payments may be made to secure a confirmation on booked ride.
Pets
Dogs and other animals, while lovely, are not welcome on the ride. Safety first!
Just a wee reminder to please leave your four-footed friends at home where they are comfortable and safe.
Helmets
All riders under 18 are required to wear a horseback riding helmet (provided free of charge). Adult riders have the option. Please let us know before the ride if you plan on wearing helmets so we can be prepared.
Required Forms
A Release of Liability form must be signed for all riders. Children under 18 must have an adult sign for them.
Upon booking, a confirmation email will be sent to you with a link to sign the waiver. No need to print- it will automatically be sent back to our system.
Age Limits
We offer trail rides for guests 10 years old and up. If you child has experience riding and is between 7 and 9 years of age, please contact us directly by phone. Double riding is not permitted.
Weight Limits
We have a number of large horses that can accommodate riders of most sizes. Riders need to be able to fit into the saddle and be able to hold the horn in front for balance. Occasionally, we must turn away riders because their shape does not allow them to fit into the saddle safely.
Riders must be under 220lbs.
What to Bring
Purses, backpacks and other large or baggy items cannot be carried on the horse as they may restrict your ability to ride.
Long Pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended for all riders.
Plastic rain ponchos and umbrellas are prohibited during inclement weather. Guests may wear rain jackets or coats or we have slickers available to rent for $5 per ride.
For Experienced Riders
All rides are lead by an experienced Los Padres Outfitters guide.
All group rides are walk and trot in single file along the trail. While on the beach, you may ride side by side, still sticking together as a group.
Gratuities
Many of our customers like to show their appreciation of our friendly wranglers by tipping. Gratuities are gladly accepted. Venmo and Cash are accepted.The standard is 20% – similar to what you would tip a waiter or waitress. Groups of 6 or more and picnics will include automatic gratuity of 20%.
Refund and Rain Policy
Reservations with Los Padres Outfitters are required for all Beach Rides, Trail Rides, and Pack Trips.
Please be aware when making a reservation that we are guaranteeing that we will have horses and a guide available for your ride. For this reason if you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, you will not receive a refund. If you cancel from the time of booking until 48 hours prior to your appointment, you will receive a 50% refund. Please contact us if you cancel your appointment before the 48 hour window and are requesting a refund.
You will be required to arrive 15 minutes prior to your ride for instructions.
All rides leave on time. Without 48 hours notice, if you do not arrive for your scheduled ride time you will not receive a refund. There are no exceptions.
All rides operate rain or shine, depending on the severity of the rain. If it has rained the days leading up to your ride, this can also affect your ride if the trails are unsafe and not in riding condition. In the event of bad weather, (Click the link and update to the date of your ride here) https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/summerland/93067/weather-forecast/2154987 we allow you to reschedule your ride to a later date by calling us at least 24 hours before your ride. Same day cancellations will be charged 100% of your ride value. No refunds are given for the rain, but we can issue a gift certificate if you choose not to reschedule immediately.
For reservations a valid credit card is required for pre-authorization and full payment by credit card upon booking.
Do you mix groups?
No, we do not mix groups, our rides are private. Our rides are exclusive just for groups of family and friends.
Who are your guides?
Our guides are knowledgeable and experienced, they have history and extensive roots in this area, making them fun to ride with and interesting to talk to.
Are all of your rides customized?
We customize each riding experience around our guests’ desires and past experience to ensure they have a safe and most of all fun and unforgettable ride.
Do I have to have horseback riding experience?
We have horses suitable for all levels of riders from expert to novice to first-time riders. We offer trail rides for guests 10 years old and up. If you child has experience riding and is between 7 and 9 years of age, please contact us directly by phone.
We have numerous repeat riders and many local riders that ride with us weekly.
Do I have to wear a helmet?
Helmets are required for riders 18 and under. We offer helmets to adults as well but it is up to them if they wear them or not.
What are the minimum requirements for a ride?
Our standard beach/trail combination ride for visitors to Santa Barbara is 1.5 hrs long, and $230 per rider with a two-person minimum. Want to have a private ride to yourself? Single person private rides are $330. Riders must be under 220 lbs.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We take all major credit cards and make credit card reservations over the phone.
Horseback riding in Santa Barbara doesn’t get any more exclusive or “high end” than Los Padres Outfitters. Join us for an authentic Western Santa Barbara Experience.
A friend and I went out for their two-hour ride and it was the best horseback riding I have ever done. I’m used to horses plodding along and the novelty wears off quickly, but not this one. The horses are wonderful and still have personality and the scenery is so varied and truly inaccessible except by horse! You weave through all these incredible trails around Montecito and down to the bluffs along the ocean. The wranglers were kind and helpful and I cannot recommend Los Padres enough!