The Gold Mine Ranch

We rode with the Gold Mine Ranch in the afternoon, a family run outfit named after the nearby Gold Mine Ruins, and it's clear they take good care of their horses. Before heading out they ask about your riding experience so they can pair you with a horse that suits your comfort level, calmer for nervous riders, livelier if you want more of a thrill. You leave the ranch straight into open terrain, riding along the coast with a steady breeze, past rocky water and a patch of white sand, without taking the horse into the water itself. There's a natural bridge along the trail, the instructions are clear, and the horses clearly know the route, so you can just settle in and enjoy it. It's the only ranch located right on the coast too, so there's no inland road to cross to get there.

We tried the Gold Mine Ranch's morning horseback tour, named after the nearby Gold Mine Ruins that the ride heads toward. It's a family run ranch that clearly takes good care of its horses, and before you get on one they ask about your riding experience so they can match you with a horse that fits, calmer if you're nervous, livelier if you want more thrill. You're in open terrain almost as soon as you leave the ranch, riding along the coast with a strong breeze, past rocky water and a stretch of white sand, though you don't take the horse into the water itself. There's a natural bridge along the way, the instructions are clear, and the horses genuinely know the route, so you can settle into your own pace. It's also the only ranch right on the coast, so there's no inland road to cross to get there.