Trails, Parks and Environmental Links

Specialized Resources

Equestrian

San Francisco Bay Area Resources

Web Resources

Bay Area Backcountry

Bay Area Backcountry website is a growing repository of information about some nice places to camp and hike around the San Francisco Bay Area

GORP - SF Bay Area

GORP horseback riding

Portola Trail Guide

Trail guides and maps for SF Peninsula parks and trails.

Trails of the Diablo Valley

Site dedicated to the trails of the Diablo Valley and surrounding area, including Mt. Diablo State Park.

Organizations

Bay Area Barns and Trails

BABTT's mission is to preserve for future generations equestrian stables, pastures, trails, horse camps throughout the Bay Area. Provides support for education, land acquisition and advocacy efforts.

California Donkey and Mule Association

Promoting our long-eared friends, BADMS sponsors all-equine shows and clinics. Bay Area Donkey and Mule Society. Check website or call (805)467-9204 Gloria & Lynn Walter or (707)632-5671 Jeannette Tunstall.

Los Altos Hills Horsemen's Association

LAHHA promotes all activities concerning horsemanship and trail access in the Town of Los Altos Hills and neighboring communities. LAHHA also sponsors frequent shows and other events between March and October. Events are held at the Town Ring on Purisima near Viscaino in Los Altos Hills. Write to Drawer "I", Los Altos, CA 94023-4009. Fax (650) 968-4686. E-mail to shaze@worldnet.att.net

Los Gatos Horsemen's Association

LGHA is a primarily a trail-riding club, with rides every weekend during fair weather, plus several camping trips each year. The club also participates in several parades and invites new members - residence in Los Gatos or a horse of one's own not required! Contact Frank Baykoni, President by email, ferencb@applied-laser.com , call (408) 358-3598 or mail to P.O Box 1735, Los Gatos, CA 95031.

Los Viajeros Riding Club

LV is known for its Four-Day Ride, usually held in the third week in June. The club also offers day rides and other overnight events from March through November for its members and their guests. The rides are structured to ensure safety, good food and a good time. We're always looking for a new place to ride. Call the President, Cathy Hatcher, days (415) 863-2641 or eves (650) 726-5375 or cathytrails@aol.com

Marin Horse Council

The MHC was conceived in December 1980 by equestrians and the Marin County Parks and Recreation Department, to provide an independent, central coordinating council representing many horse clubs, organizations, stables, individual owners, breeders, farriers, trainers, veterinarians, tack and feed stores, etc.,"to preserve and protect the equine as part of the lifestyle and landscape of Marin". Contact them at 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato, CA 94949-6183. Phone (415) 883-4621 X 361 or FAX (415) 457-9157 or E-mail rweems@earthlink.net.

Mounted Patrol San Mateo County

Meeting twice a month at its Club House located on 23 acres of wooded hills in Woodside, which is a Red Cross designated Disaster Relief Center. Members assist in search and recue for the Sheriff of San Mateo County. The Patrol sponsors a Youth Rodeo every July 4th and hold weekly riding clinics during the summer. For more information, check website, email the Secretary at secretary@mpsmc.org or write to: Captain, Mounted Patrol SMC, 521 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside, CA 94062.

North American Trail Riding Conference, Region 1 (NATRC)

Region 1 covers northern California and part of Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. They annually sponsor 8 rides in California and one in Alaska. Rides have three divisions: Novice (for new riders and young horses; Competitive Pleasure (slower pace); and, Open for those who enjoy longer, faster events). Phil Young is Chairman of Region 1 and can be reached at pbyoung@sunset.net

Peninsula Carriage Driving Club

The PCDC aims to draw together people interested in equine-powered vehicles, to give carriage driving enthusiasts a chance to meet others in the driving community, and to provide a forum for sharing information on driving. The goal of the club is to emphasize driving safety and the promotion of pleasure driving as an alternative to competitive show driving. Email gina@acornnmr.com.

Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc.

Second Wednesday of each month at Santa Clara County Horsemen's Grounds. Sponsor trail rides, poker rides, moonlight rides, endurance rides plus trail building and maintenance projects. Contact Maryben Stover (408) 265-0839 or write P.O. Box 71, New Almaden, CA 95042.

San Francisco Horsemen's Association

Call Josh Hatcher at (650) 726-5375 for information.

San Mateo County Horsemen's Association

Educational seminars, clinics, youth programs, camping, general meetings and group rides. Publishes an award-winning newsletter of trail information and stories of local rides. Sponsor for the Clarkia Trail. P.O. Box 620092, Woodside, CA 94062. Phone (650) 568-1045.

San Mateo County Volunteer Horse Patrol

Provide a volunteer public service while riding in your parks and open spaces. Training and certification provided annually by San Mateo County for official patrol of county park trail system. Annual first aid and CPR classes provided free. Uniforms required. Active support for trail maintenance. Sponsor for the Skyline Trail. For additional information call Marian Van den Bosch (650) 369-8305.

San Martin Horsemen's Association

A volunteer organization which sponsors trail rides, clinics, camping, education, trail building and horse advocacy. Meets monthly at 7 pm the second Friday. Families and children always welcome. Kathy Wyland may be contacted at PO Box 275, San Martin, CA 95046 dcwyland@ix.netcom.com

Santa Clara County Horsemen's Association

Provide a volunteer public service while riding in your parks and open spaces. SCCHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting good horsemanship and trail use. Monthly meetings 7 pm the 3rd Friday of every month include educational programs. Visitors welcome. Regular monthly group rides and/or campouts, either at regional parks or on private property (by special arrangement with the owners) as well as special events such as playdays, dances and poker rides. Rides are often followed by barbecues and/or dances. For information on rides, call the SCCHA information hotline at (408) 268-6155. Clubhouse is located at 2035 McKean Rd. San Jose CA and is available for rental.

Santa Cruz County Horsemen's Association.

Meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM at the Clubhouse at the Graham Hill Showgrounds at Graham Hill and Sims Roads in Santa Cruz. Shows, rides, clinics and trail building. Membership includes use of facility with horse camping and direct access to miles of trails. Write to P.O. Box 1014, Santa Cruz CA 95061 for information call Liz Maitoza (831) 763-7885 or e-mail lmaitoza@pacbell.net

Sonoma County Horse Council

Contact Silvie Thompson, Membership Chairperson, for more information. Call (707) 528 2227 or email sillysil@aol.com. information.

Summit Riders Horsemen's Association

Summit Riders was formed over 30 years ago in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is a family-oriented group sponsoring trail rides, overnight campouts, horse shows, and play days. They also have clinics and speakers. General meetings occur the second Thursday night monthly at 7:30 pm at Mountain Bible Church on Summit Road. Contact Karel Waugh at 22420 Summit Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95030 or email karel@prodigy.net

Tilden/Wildcat Horsemen's Association

Organizes rides and events in the East Bay Regional Parks area. They sponsor a number of events including overnight trail rides, obstacle days, and trail maintenance days. Contact Lila Abdul-Rahin, Membership Chair at (925) 284-9218, or Morris Older, Newsletter Editor at 50 La Encinal, Orinda CA 94563, (925) 254-8943.

West Coast Horse Association

West Coast Horse Association is a San Mateo County coast side equestrian organization. Active in July 4th Parade in Half Moon Bay, Coastside Ranch Rodeo and schooling shows. For information, contact Roxy Stone at rsbronco@aol.com or call (650) 726-7969. Web site will be coming soon.

California and Western U.S. Resources

Backcountry Horsemen of California (BCHA)

The BCHC is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving backcountry wilderness and protecting stock users' historic use of wilderness trails and forage. The BCHA provides a central organization which works with public land administrators on issues pertinent to public use of the backcountry and specifically to stock use in these areas.

California Trail Connection

The California Trail Connection provides for news and in-depth information about California's Trails and Greenways. Includes information on the Pacific Crest Trail and other long-distance trails within California.

Equestrian Trails, Inc.

Family oriented riding club dedicated to the acquisition and preservation of trails, good horsemanship, and equine legislation within California.

GORP horseback riding

Western States Trail Foundation

Works to promote and preserve the Western States Trail - a historic route established by Gold Rush Emigrants traveling to California. Sponsors The Western States 100 Miles One Day Ride, an annual endurance ride on the old Pony Express route through the Sierra Nevada.

U.S. National Resources

GORP horseback riding

North American Trail Ride Conference

Competitive trail ride organization headquartered in New Mexico with six regional membership clubs covering every state in the country. Ride calendar is available online; an active e-mail list keeps members updated on trail ride events.

Trails by State

A database hosted by American Trails

See the Trail Center Outdoor Activity Guide for more local recreational and volunteer opportunities. If you have a site to suggest for this page, please e-mail us a link and a brief review.