Ian Dryden

San Diego County is unique in the world of horses. Though no accurate census has been possible, the San Diego Humane Society estimates that there are more horses in our county than in the rest of the United States, and more in El Cajon alone than in the entire state of Texas. It makes sense, then, that anyone interested in recapturing the era of cowboys. Rough Riders, and John Wayne will find San Diego a great place to begin.

There is an abundance of stables throughout the county with rental horses. The best time to ride rentals is usually during the week and early in the morning. The horses, according to all stable personnel, are fresh, rested, and the day is still cool enough to make riding comfortable for the horseman. One thing to remember: none of the establishments wants to have clients run the horses. As the owner of one stable commented, “that only breaks legs and riders.” Most stables will, in fact, prohibit running, and those requiring deposits will withhold their return if the mount is hot and wet after riding. Aside from these few restrictions, stable owners are proud of their horses and glad to help any fledgling Tom Mix on his way to the great round-up.

• Bright Valley Farms
• 393 Arnold Way, El Cajon (445-2?31) $4/hour, 8:30-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Open Monday when a holiday.
• This is a good place for the novice. Teaching is available from beginning to advanced, including dressage and jumping. Western and English tack are provided. The terrain includes level meadows, canyons, and foothills.
• Bright Valley is located near Lake Jennings Park, Old Ironsides Park, and Flynn Springs and there is ample picnic area in the vicinity.

• Jerry’s Party Hayride Ranch
• Proctor Valley Road in Jamul (466-3011) $5/hour, 8-6 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
• Over 10,000 acres of hills and flatlands are open to the equestrian public at Jerry’s Ranch. Western gear and picnics are provided. There are no guides to accompany riders.
• To find the Ranch, follow Highway 94 east from the Spring Street/La Mesa exit to Jamul. Turn right on the Proctor Valley turnoff and drive two and one-half miles.

• Monte Vista Ranch Stables
• South El Cajon (464-9552)
• $5/first hour, $3.50/second hour, $3/each additional hour, 8:30-5 p.m., Sunday through Saturday, $5 fine for abuse of the horses.
• Monte Vista claims its horses (35 total) are always fresh and “the best-cared-for around.” The owner’s 40 years of experience, they say, is the reason.
• Riding lessons can be provided and a guide accompanies the riders for the first 15 minutes. Trail terrain, ranging from river bottom to hills, covers an area over 1,800 acres. There is a picnic area and barbecue available upon prior arrangement. Western and bareback riding are permitted.
• Drive Highway 94 from the SpringStreet/ La Mesa exit ten to 15 miles until Highway 94 becomes a two-lane highway. Monte Vista Stables is a few hundred yards from the junction of highways 94 and 54.

• Pine Valley Stables
• Highway 80 in Pine Valley (473-8392)
• $7/two hours, $10/half day (4 hours), $18/all day. Students and military: $2 off regular rate. Open daily.
• The present ownership of Pine Valley has managed the stables for two years and they say they’re proud of their “darn good, untypical stable horses.” Western and bare-back riding are permitted, though absolutely no running the horses.
• Group rates are available as are guides and instructors. Moonlight rides and camping trips are scheduled during full moons.
• Take Old Highway 80 to the Pine Valley turnoff, left at the second stop, and drive down the road one mile to the entrance.

• Rancho Los Campadres
• 14561 Rios Canyon Road, El Cajon (443-6366)
• Weekdays: $3/hour, weekends: $3.50/hour 8-5 p.m.. Closed Tuesday.
• Seventeen registered Arabian horses are stabled at Rancho Los Campadres. Either English or Western tack can be used. Instruction is available for beginners, especially if they have never beeato the Rancho before. Their facilities. include an arena, three acres of trails for the intermediate rider, and some “fairly steep” hills. The total area includes five and one-half acres and “for four hours riders seem to find places to go.” There is no provision for picnicking.
• Drive east on Interstate 8 to the Lake Jennings Park exit and the stop sign. Take the first two rights and Campadres will be at the end of the road on the left.

• Smith Ranch
• 4673 Dehesa Road, El Cajon (442-9095)
• $5/first hour, second hour free, S4/each additional hour. $10 deposit/each horse Monday through Friday.
• Smith Ranch is busy most of the time. The horses are rated gentle to mildly spirited and Western tack is used. Guides are available, but there is a separate charge for instruction itself.
• The country consists primarily of canyons, trees, sandy washes and open areas with no specific trails. Although there is no specific provision for picnicking, it is permitted.
• Personal checks, Bankamericard and Master Charge are accepted.
• On Interstate 8, drive east to the El Cajon Boulevard exit into the city of El Cajon.
• Turn right at the second light onto Washington. After three miles and a quick left/ right jog onto Dehesa Road, continue four and one-half miles and you’ll find Smith Ranch on the right hand side of the road.

• Stallion Oaks
• Boulder Creek Road, Descanso (445-4949)
• Weekdays: $4/first hour, $2/second hour; weekends: $4/hour. 9-5:30 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. Half-day and full-day rates and camping trips available by prior reservation.
• Stallion Oaks is particularly proud of the “youngbloods” in their stables. They do provide Western or bareback riding facilities. Instruction for the newcomer is available and guides are standard for large groups.
• The stables are located just outside Cuyamaca State Park and is part of the Stallidn Oaks Resort Ranch. Picnicking, cabins, and other resort accoutrements are provided.
• The Stallion Oaks stables can be reached by driving Interstate 8 to the Japatul exit. Turn left at the junction to Perkins Brothers Market. Go to the left and then a quick right after that to Boulder Creek. Signs are posted along the route.

• J and L Riding
• 2671 Monument Road, Imperial Beach (428-1895)
• $5/first hour, S9.50/two hours, $14/three hours, $18/8 hours.
• Open 8 a.m. to almost any time.
• J and L seems to bend over backwards to give their customers anything they will need. Texas, Mexican and bareback riding are available, as are picnic areas, hayrides, campgrounds, riding instruction, food and soft drinks.
• The actual riding area includes hills and beach trails.
• Take Interstate 5 south to Dairy Mart Road and turn right on Monument.

• Del Mar Farms
• Via de la Valle near the Whispering Pines Golf Course (756-3662)
• $4/hour. Open every day except Monday.
• Within the 800 fenced acres at Del Mar Farms, riding is strictly on your own; there are no guides. The farm is located near Poway and the management states that you can ride “as far as you want to.” Western equipment only is available.
• Drive Interstate 5 north to the Via de la Valle exit, turn right and take the little dirt road just past Whispering Pines Golf Course.

• Elfin Forest Stables
• Harmony Grove Road, Escondido
• (744-0146)
• $5/hour, $8.50/two hours, $5 deposit for new riders or those without guides Saturday and Sunday; reservations necessary.
• The 20 horses at Elfin are varied in temperament to accomodate the experienced or the beginning rider. Trails and hills, valleys and stream crossings provide a wide variety of environments to explore. The terrain is not conducive to running, and it is strictly prohibited.
• A vacation ranch in the area provides picnicking, camping, boating, and fishing. Live music and a hayride are organized every Saturday night.
• From Interstate 15 (395), take the Ninth Avenue turnoff. Drive west until Ninth becomes Hale. Turn right onto Harmony Grove Road and you’ll find Elfin five miles in.

• Horseman’s Park
• Black Mountain Road (271-5323)
• S5/hour, $10 deposit for each horse; 9:30-3:30 p.m. every day except Monday.
• Horseman’s Park has approximately 22 horses to rent. Western tack is supplied for rentals, although lessons will include English style. Attendants give basic instruction in technique.
• Picnicking is not allowed. The riding vicinity is varied from sandy to rocky hills and trees.
• To reach Horseman’s, take Interstate 15 north toward Escondido. Exit at the Mira Mesa turnoff. Turn right at Black Mountain Road and follow for approximately four miles to the riding area.

• Rancho Corrido/Equine Alley
• Highway 76, Pauma Valley (742-3755)
• $4/hour, guided tour; Saturday and Sunday.
• Equine Alley stables are affiliated with the Ranch Corrido Recreational Vehicle Park. Seven people are taken on an hour-and-15-minute tour. The course includes a regular trail ride in the country at the foot of Mount Palomar. Reservations for the tours are arranged ai Rancho Corrido’% office.
• From Interstate 15, drive to Highway 76 and turn right. Follow for 10.8 miles and you will see the Rancho Corrido signs. There are none for Equine Alley.
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