Los Angeles Horseback Riding

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Back to Los AngelesLos Angeles Horseback Riding

Griffith Park Horse Rental, 480 Riverside Dr. (in the Los Angeles Equestrian Center), Burbank (tel. 818/840-8401; www.la-equestriancenter.com), rents horses by the hour for Western or English riding through Griffith Park's hills. Horse rental costs $20 for 1 hour; the maximum rental is 2 hours ($35). The stables are open daily from 8am to 4pm, and you must be at least 7 years old to ride. If you have a rider younger than 7, you can either opt for the pony rides in Griffith Park, or arrange for private 1-hour lesson by calling tel. 818/569-3666.

Another popular horseback-riding outfit is Sunset Ranch, located at 3400 Beachwood Dr. off of Franklin Avenue, just under the HOLLYWOOD sign. Horse rentals are offered daily from 9am to 5pm for all levels of riders. The ranch is on the edge of Griffith Park with access to 52 miles of trails. Also available are private night rides (very romantic), dinner rides (see the "Sunset Margarita Horse Rides" box, earlier in this chapter), and riding lessons. Rates are $20 per hour with a $10 deposit. No reservations are required. For more information, call tel. 323/469-5450 or log on to www.sunsetranchhollywood.com.

Closer to the ocean in the Topanga Canyon is Los Angeles Horseback Riding (2623 Old Topanga Canyon Rd., Topanga; tel. 818/591-2032; www.lahorsebackriding.com), a small, friendly outfit that offers guided Western-style trail rides for beginners to advanced riders. It's situated at the top of a 1,800-foot ridgeline -- about a 25-minute drive from Santa Monica -- with panoramic views of the ocean and San Fernando Valley (best seen on one of the sunset or full-moon rides). What I like about this outfit is that, if the guide feels that the group is experienced enough, she'll pick up the pace to a canter. Although same-day reservations are sometimes possible, try to book at least 3 days in advance. Kids 6 and older are welcome, and kids under 16 must wear helmets (bring a bike helmet, if possible). Prices start at about $55 for a guided 70-minute ride, plus tip; 2-hour canyon rides are available as well.

Sunset BBQ Horse Ride--Every second Friday in the month from April through October the Griffith Park Horse Rental outfit in Burbank hosts a 1 1/2-hour Sunset Trail Ride followed by a Western-style barbecue -- all for only $40. For more information call tel. 818/840-8401.

Topanga Canyon: Nature's Solution to L.A.'s Noise Pollution

When you've had enough of cellphones, cement, and Mercedes, then it's time to take the short drive from L.A. to Topanga Canyon to bargain shop, drink margaritas, and play cowgirl for a day. Here's the game plan: Call Escape On Horseback (tel. 818/591-2032; www.topangahorses.com) and make a reservation for a guided horseback ride in the late afternoon. Next, take the winding drive up Topanga Canyon Boulevard to tiny Topanga, one of the last art communities left in Southern California and the perfect antidote to the dig-me L.A. scene. Spend an hour or so picking though the treasure trove of vintage clothes, accessories, and antiques at Hidden Treasures (154 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd; tel. 310/455-2998), one of the funkiest little shops I've ever seen (the custom-made sea-theme toilet seat lids are mesmerizing). After the scenic horseback ride through the boulder-strewn Topanga canyons lined with oaks, sycamores, chaparral, and sage, finish off your relaxing day with a leisurely dinner in Topanga at Abuelitas (137 S. Topanga Canyon Rd; tel. 310/455-8778), a popular Mexican restaurant, or the romantic Inn of the Seventh Ray.