All posts by danamite

Mountain Bike California

Mountain Biking
MTB New Trails, Bike Clubs, Races

single track

With a variety of terrains & scenery, California has an abundance of areas to ride bikes off road. Mountain biking was supposedly born in California between 1970-80’s (Marin County to be exact) and therefore, it is a very popular activity in the golden state.  History of Mountain Biking

California biking clubs: social, hobby or hard core! From beginner to advanced, you’ll find a new trails on here.

Many alpine snow ski centers become mountain bike havens in the summer months. They shuttle you up on their ski lifts and then you get an exhilarating downhill.

check

places NOT to ride:

NFSlogoCalifornia National Forests

San Bernardino
Shasta-Trinity
Mendocino
Los Padres
Six Rivers
Stanislaus
Cleveland
El Dorado
Klamath
Angeles
Sequoia
Toiyabe
Plumas
Lassen
Modoc
Sierra
Tahoe
Inyo

California bike trails

Mountain biking near the Grandview Mine in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, overlooking the Eastern Sierra

Real Maps: the best trail maps around are HARD COPIES = Tom Harrison Maps – water & tear resistant plastic topo maps

inyo maps small towns for mountain biking:

Downieville
Tahoe
Mineral
Angels Camp
Idyllwild
Sierraville
June Lake
Garberville
Weaverville
Bridgeport
Borrego Springs
Kernville
Chester
Markleeville
Sonora
Ponderosa
Mariposa
Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez
Arroyo Grande

redrox

Moab, Utah

Outdoor recreation mecca – MOAB, UT has so many locations to ride; from secluded dirt roads, to red rock canyons, slick-rock faces, to upper elevation aspen groves in the La Sal mountains.

Moab is a very popular destination, so make your reservations early. Or just grab a good maps and pitch a tent on any dirt road (and sleep for free).

Wheeling

close up bike

califrepublic

Mountain Bike Tours / Guides

Gravity Activated Sports
Palomar Plunge
16220 Hwy 76
PO Box 683
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
800-985-4427
619-742-2294

Marin Mountain Bike Tours
415 387-1486

Rock Industries Unlimited, Inc.
PO Box 5081
Norco, CA 92860-5081
714-448-6075

Santa Barbara Adventure Co.
PO Box 208
Santa Barbara CA 93102
888-596-6687
805-882-2096

Stoked SF
San Francisco Bay Area
519 Nevada Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-515-8692

mountains

California Bicycle Coalition
– transportation & recreation

Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association
multi-use trails in Santa Monica Mountains

East Bay Bicycle Coalition – transportation & recreation

International Mountain Biking Association

Pasadena Mountain Bike Club (?)
San Gabriel Mountains

San Diego Mountain Biking Association

San Diego Bicycle Club

SHARE Mountain Bike Club
– Orange County Biking Club

Silicone Valley Mountain Bikers
– San Mateo & Santa Clara counties

Southern California Mountain Biking – mountain bike club

snow

Big Bear Lake

Snow Summit Ski area
909-866-4565
Open to mountain biking with chair lift

Snow Valley
909- 867-2751
Running Springs, CA 92382
Open to mountain biking from Memorial Day to Labor Day

San Bernardino National Forest
Miles of forest roads around Big Bear Lake & most all trails allow mountain bikes. “Rim of the World Drive” Fawnskin and  Holcomb Valley with a network of dirt roads.

Borrego Springs

The Palms at Indian Head
Mountain Bike Rentals @ Hotel

Gold Country

East Bullards Bar Trail, near Yuba City & Lake Oroville

Folsom-Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition (FATRAC) – group of volunteers educating riders and building trails. They maintain trails and have weekly rides in the area.

North Mojave Desert

Randsburg (Mining Camp)
Ridgecrest

Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Mountain
Alabama Hills Eastern Sierra, Lone Pine, CA
June Lake dirt back roads
Inyo National Forest

San Diego

Rancho Cuyamaca on Hwy. 79 @ S-1 jct
Cleveland National Forest

San Francisco

Bay Area Ridge Trail
multi-use trail overlooking the San Francisco Bay

Napa County Bike Trails

Half Moon Campground
Half Moon Campground, Los Padres NF

technical trails

Horseback Rides Big Bear

Horseback Riding @ Big Bear
Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Lake

Baldwin Lake Stables
46475 Pioneertown Road
Big Bear City, CA 92314
+19095856482

Big Bear Carriages
Carriage Rides
Pine Knot Ave @ Pedder Rd
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
+19095842277

Oak Springs Ranch Riding Area
182 Fawnskin Road
Apple Valley, CA 92308

horseback

corral
Horse Corral Camp @ Mission Springs, San Gorgonio

Big Bear Lake Area
Horse Campgrounds

camping

Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground
Big Pine Flat Road
Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
+18774446777

Green Spot Equestrian Group Campground
1908 Wildhorse Meadows Road #2N23
Big Bear, CA 92314

Heartbar Equestrian Group Camp
Highway 38
Angeles Oaks, CA
+18774446777

pct

Mission Springs Camp & Corrals
PCT Camp: Sand to Snow
San Gorgonio Wilderness Trailhead
(dirt road access @ Heart Bar Campground)

Wild Horse Equestrian Campground
46620 Highway 38
Angeles Oaks, CA
+18774446777

Mountains

see also – Los Angeles Horseback Riding

Horseback Rides Bishop

Horse Rentals Eastern Sierra
Horseback Riding near Bishop

US Highway 395 California

Rovana Horse

Cottonwood Pack Station
Horseshow Meadow Road #16S02
Lone Pine, CA 93545
+15594782258 summer
+17608728331 all year

Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit
3244 Lake Mary Rd
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
+17609342434

McGee Creek Pack Station
2990 McGee Creek Rd
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
+17609354324

Mill Pond Equestrian Center
590 Rocking K Rd
Bishop, CA 93514
+17608736037

horseback

Onion Valley Pack Station
Onion Valley Rd
Independence, CA

Pine Creek Pack Station
85 Pine Creek Rd
Bishop, CA 93514
+17603872797

Rainbow Pack Outfitters
5845 South Lake Rd
Bishop, CA 93514
+17608738877

Rock Creek Pack Station
Upper Rock Creek Canyon
9001 Rock Creek Rd
Bishop, CA 93514
+17609354493

saddle shack

Horse Camping near Bishop, CA

Horseshow Meadow Road #16S02
Cottonwood Lakes Campground

Reds Meadow Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA

camping

Horse Camping Areas

USFS Inyo National Forest – Horse Camping

 

see also
OverNight Horse Pack Trips

California Golf Course

Golf California, Golf Resorts, Public Golf Courses, California Golf Course LA

golfing California
Palm Springs is Golfing in California

Golfing California golfing

Golf history in California began around 1920 for certain key locations. Long Beach, Pebble Beach

golfing destinations below
[listed from south to north]

California Desert Golf

Los Angeles Golf Courses LA  angeles

The Mountains (2003-2011)
PMC, Los Padres National Forest

California Gold Country Golf  oak foothills

snow

Eastern Sierra & Yosemite Golf

Mountain Golfing
Mountain Golfing

Lake Tahoe Golf California  mountains

San Francisco Area Golf

Northern California Golf

golfing in cali

golfing
Graeagle, California in Plumas NF

Pine Mountain Club
Pine Mountain Club, CA
death valley
Furnace Creek, Death Valley NP

Pebble Beach #7

Pebble Beach #10

Pebble Beach

 


Camping Picnic

Picnicking & Camping

This picnic page is dedicated to various ways to eat outdoors around a camping or road trip. Whether it be a backpacking adventure, a car camping excursion or a quick stop “en route” while on a longer road trip, these tips may help you plan to eat better while enjoying the outdoors.

Ice (or refrigeration) – during winter this is less of an issue. Don’t let your food spoil with warm temperatures. Ice Chest or Cooler Backpacks are key to keeping your food fresh. Block ice will last longer than cubes, so make some at home ahead of time.

picnicsonora

Paper Plates – easier than washing dishes outdoors

The Tools – kitchen knife, utensils and a perhaps corkscrew. Storing utensils inside the ice chest is acceptable. Ziplock bags, paper bags, paper towels and a beach towel are all handy items to carry.

Thermos – thermal insulated bottle for storing hot beverages like coffee, hot cocoa or even homemade soup.

Screen Room – when bugs and mosquitoes are expected, plus you plan on staying in this location all day, then bringing a screened tent might be a good idea.

The Food Bag – This is one, strong grocery bag with all the food items inside for easy transport and access “on the road”.

If you are parking in Bear Country (where bears live) then you may be required to store your food items inside a steel locker/bear box located near the parking lot or campsite. Being able to grab a cooler and one bag and move these to the bear box will be less cumbersome if you have all your food condensed. Sharing boxes with other visitors is quite common, so keep your belongings compact.

bearboxnew

Camping is often one long picnic, spending much of the time in cooking, preparation, campfires, and of course, cleanup.

camping

Day trips from camp, may lead you away from your base camp most of the day exploring, so you should always bring the FOOD BAG and the cooler in the car/truck/van. Have mostly prepared food – all ready to eat for quick access and minimal hassles.

FRESH FRUIT + NUTS

CHEESE + CRACKERS

SANDWICHES + CHIPS

SOUP + SALADS

BEER, CIDER + WINE

Hunting and fishing trips are often done with overnight camping. Cooking over the open flame, primitive style is key to the fun. Bring a hand saw for firewood, lighters or matches for flames. See more on Campfire Cooking

Water

Hunger can come on sudden when outside exerting oneself.

If you are planning a big “all day hike” or even a “half day hike”, packing a picnic lunch to eat on the trail is always advised. At minimum, you should pack a snack and water for any hike.

hiker

desert picnic

SEATS, TABLES – or SIT on the GROUND

Camp chairs, lawn chairs, beach chairs and solid picnic tables are all considered luxury items in the wilderness. Finding a picnic table location will be easier near parks, campgrounds and trailhead parking. Bring a blanket, beach towel or large tarp to throw down and dine on. Carry your own portable chair if you cannot sit on the ground. Truck tailgates make fine benches for eating.

silver lake picnic

Top Destinations for Picnics:

alpine lakes

Summer is the best time to find a lake in the mountains, as most are located at high elevations, covered snow during winter. Luckily, California Lakes come in all shapes, sizes and elevations.

beaches

The coastlines are the most popular locations in all of California. Locating an uncrowded beach will be easier during the non-summer months.

big meadows

Meadows are very popular spots for picnics and most require some walking to reach. This mountain terrain is usually buried in snow half the year, so these are summertime spots.

deserts

The California deserts are best visited in non-summer months. Considered winter playgrounds, deserts hold mining history, ghost towns, abundant off road trails and first-of-the-season wildflower blooms.

ridge lines

Mountain ridges are awesome places for views, sunsets and stargazing. Find a dirt road, instead of a paved highway for the best experience.

rivers

California has plenty of rivers to enjoy. Picnic tables and parks, plus campgrounds can usually be found next to these bodies of water. Rivers can also be dangerous during spring run-off, where the river swells with the high country snow melt. Find California Rivers

meadow

Leisure

wildflowers

Planning to camp out, maybe bike and/or hike? Explore the wildflower blooms and relax longer with a meal. Low deserts  began blooming as early as late February, and can last well into May.

star party

Night skies with meteor showers or a lunar eclipse can mean plenty of free time to sit and watch the sky. Celestial events. Snacks, sandwiches, caffeine beverages.

sledding

Winter picnics should include hot beverages, or perhaps a barbeque or cooking over a fire. Bring the Camp Stove for instant heat options. Campfire permits may be required if you plan to build a fire outside of a developed site.

picnic table

camptruck

save fuel, stay put

You do know that you don’t have to drive all over the park, cramming in every sightseeing destination? You could choose to spend MOST of your time at camp, or maybe walking distance from camp. 

Learn to stay put, really relax and take it all in. The trees, the birds, the breezes, the sound of the creek. Less driving means saving on gasoline cost.

hiker

walk more, drive less

Choosing to camp in large campground near the best attractions, could mean more walking and less driving. Picnic grounds are common in most all State Parks, National Parks, National Forests and even in county parks and small historic towns. 

State Historic Park

State Historic Parks are great places to find picnic tables. This oak and wildflower hillside is located at Coloma, CA in the Gold Country foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Marshall Gold Discovery State Park at the south fork of the American River.

Hot Air Balloon Rides California

The areas for hot air ballooning inside California are: any wine country area, Palm Springs desert and most of Southern Cal.

ballooning

Adventure Flights
19301 Jasmine Ct,
Lake Elsinore, CA
951-678-4334
951-678-6885

A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure
40335 Winchester Road
Suite E, PMB #226
Temecula, CA 92591
951-699-9987

Balloon Above The Desert
Palm Springs Area
Indio, CA 92201
760-347-0410

Balloons Above the Valley
603 California Blvd
Napa, CA 94559
800-464-6824

Balloons Over Paso
Central Coast Wine Country
Paso Robles, CA 93446
800-222-6176

balloon rides

California Dreamin
33133 Vista del Monte Rd
Temecula, CA 92591
951-468-9602

Cheers Over California
(Tethered Rides)
PO Box 661932
Sacramento, CA 95866
916-922-9253

Fantasy Balloon Flights
74181 Parosella St.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-568-0997
800-GO ABOVE

Lake Tahoe Balloons
2435 Venice Drive East
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
530-544-1221

Magical Adventure Balloon Rides
Temecula, CA
866-ENJOY-US
866-365-6987

Mammoth Ballooning Adventure
High Sierra Ballooning Company
Mammoth Lakes, CA
760-873-5838

Mountain High Balloons
Lake Tahoe, CA
530-587-6922

Napa Valley Aloft
6525 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599

707-944-4400

Napa Valley Balloons
P.O.Box 2860
Yountville, CA 94599
800-253-2224
707-944-0228

Panorama Balloon Tours
2683 Via De La Valle
Del Mar, CA 92014
760-271-3467

hot air balloons

Sky Drifters Hot Air Ballooning
7000 Stonehouse Road
Rancho Murieta, CA 95683
916-244-4808

Sky’s the Limit Ballooning
2432 Railway Ave. Suite A
Los Olivos, CA 93441
760-602-0295

Sonoma Ballooning
Sonoma Skypark
21870 Eighth St. E
Sonoma CA, 95476
707-819-9223

Sunrise Balloons
PO Box 891360
Temecula, CA 92589
833-208-2629

Up & Away Ballooning
4086 Byway E.
Napa, CA 94558
707-836-0171

Vegas Balloon Rides
4390 Polaris Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89103
702-553-3039

Wine Country Balloons
Santa Rosa, CA
707-538-7359

hot air balloons

Horseback Rides Palm Springs

Southern California Trail Rides
Wagon Rides & Horse Rentals near:

horseback

Inland Empire, Joshua Tree
Palm Springs Area &
Temecula Wine Country

Joshua Tree Tours

Cottonwood Canyon Ranch
48948 Canyon House Rd
Morongo Valley, CA 92256
760-447-1014

Covered Wagon Tours
Washington St
Palm Desert, CA 92211
760-347-2161

Crazy Horse Ranch
50440 Cheyenne Trail
Morongo Valley, CA 92256
760-831-6450

Anza Horses

Knob Hill Ranch
57840 Cortez Dr
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
760-821-7525

Saddle Up Wine Tours
44060 White Mountain Rd
Aguanga, CA 92536
951-297-9196

Palm Springs Tramway

San Jacinto State Park
(via Palm Springs Aerial Tramway)
Long Valley Ranger Station
1 Tramway Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
951-659-2607
horse rentals in summer only

Smoke Tree Stables
2500 S Toledo Ave
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-327-1372

Sweetwater Farms
Pony Rides
27825 California Ave
Winchester, CA 92596
909-226-9829

Vin Hesten Trail Rides
41529 De Portola Rd
Temecula, CA 92592
951-595-7802

Wine Country Trails by Horseback
43101 Anza Rd
Temecula, CA 92592
951-795-1444

Leisure

Temecula Town
Old Town Temecula (1998)

Carriage Rides California

California Horse Carriages
Horse-Drawn Carriage Service
Stagecoach Rides & Wagon Rides

Carriage in Coloma

Carriage Ride Services
Carriages for Special Occasions
California Carriage Companies

 

Big Bear Carriages
583 Pine Knot Ave
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
909-584-2277

Borges Sleigh & Carriage Rides
@ Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
775-588-2953

Carriage Occasions
Wine Country
530 Irwin Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-546-2568

Cindy Cinderella Carriages
5665 46th Street
Riverside, CA 92509
951-529-5269

Dream Catchers Carriages
17564 Santa Ana Ave
Bloomington, CA 92316
916-295-4848

Enchanted Carriages
530 New Los Angeles Ave #115
Moorpark, CA 93021
805-603-9993

Fairytale Carriage
13601 Gladstone Ave
Sylmar CA 91342
747-344-3430

Fancy Ferriage
3900 Brown Road
Oakley, CA 94561
925-679-9412

Fontes Carriages
4525 S Central Ave
Turlock, CA 95380
209-634-9297

Fresno Carriage
32263 Lockwood Lane
Prather, CA, CA 93651
559-905-6491

Villa de Amore Wedding Carriage San Diego Orange County Wedding Venue

G & F Carriages
2175 S Willow Ave
Bloomington, CA 92316
909-820-4600

Grand Carriages
San Francisco Bay Area
Livermore, CA 94551
925-344-1117

Hackney Horse & Carriage
Cityview Plaza
100 W San Fernando St
San Jose, CA 95113
408-535-0277

Harris Stagelines
Stagecoach Rides
Carriages & Buggys for hire
5995 N River Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805-237-1860

Indian Valley Carriage Company
1924 Indian Valley Rd
Novato, CA 94947
415-309-8618

Jones Feed & Cattle Co
Carriage Ride Services
7031 Eastside Rd
Redding, CA 96001
530-243-3201

Julian Carriage Company
Main St & Washington St
Julian, CA 92036
760-705-7085

Noland’s Horse Drawn Carriages
Noland’s Carriage
6441 Monte Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-544-2042

Old Town Carriage Co.
200 F Street
Eureka, CA 95501
646-591-2058

Horse drawn wagon ride in Columbia, California

Peppermint Creek Carriage Co.
Gold Country California
Sonora, CA
209-533-2599

Pistols and Petticoats Carriage Co.
11808 Main Street
Fort Jones, CA 96032
530-598-4733

Pony Land San Diego
Horse or Tractor-drawn Wagons
Imperial Beach
2606 Hollister St
San Diego, CA 92154
619-947-3152

Quartz Mountain Carriage Co
Gold Country California
Jamestown, CA
209-984-3125

Savannah Rose Carriages
Rancho Cucamonga
5819 Beryl Street
Alta Loma, CA 91737
909-238-8411

Solvang Trolley & Carriage Tours
1618 Copenhagen Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
805-794-8958

Springtime Carriages
North County San Diego
27505 Sunset Vista Ln
Valley Center, CA 92082
619-884-3982

Temecula Carriage Company
Temecula Valley Wine Country
844-369-1852

TJ Farms Carriage Co
TJ Farms Estates Wedding Venue
3600 Chico Avenue
Chico, CA 95928
530-343-2294

Top Hand Ranch
Sacramento Valley
Elverta, CA 95626
916-496-0102

Victoria Park Carriages
Lakeview & Barlett
Big Bear Lake, CA
909-584-2277

White Horse Carriage Co.
Central Coast California
2114 Ferndale Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-296-2289

Historic Carriage
Historic Carriage, Calico Ghost Town

Horseback Rides San Diego

San Diego Horseback Riding

horses at cuyamaca

Trail Rides near San Diego, California

horseback

Bibby Ranch
19874 7th Place
North County
Escondido, CA 92029
760-503-5400

Blanco Brothers Ranch
2181 Hollister St
Imperial Beach
San Diego, CA 92154
619-991-0793

Canyonside Ranch
Canyonside Stables
12115 Black Mountain Rd #3600
San Diego, CA 92129

Carmel Valley Ranch
Meadow Star Ranch
5175 Del Mar Mesa Rd
San Diego, CA 92130
858-353-0810

Integrity Stables
2323 Farmer Road
San Diego Mountains
Julian, CA 92036
760-473-5681

horses on beach

Pony Land: Pony Rides & Petting Zoo
2606 Hollister St.
Imperial Beach
San Diego, CA 92154
619-947-3152

S&S Friendly Ranch
2105 Hollister St.
Imperial Beach
San Diego, CA 92154

San Diego Riding
2020 Hollister St
Imperial Beach
San Diego, CA 92154
619-928-1690

San Diego Trail Company
14875 Mina De Oro Rd
Poway, CA 92064
442-888-0464

Surfside Ranch
2225 Hollister St
Imperial Beach
San Diego, CA 92154
619-443-3517

Sweetwater Horses
3051 Equitation Lane
Bonita, CA 91902
619-252-5544

Warner Springs Ranch
Guided Trail Rides
Warner Springs, CA
760-920-3852

warner springs valley
Warner Springs Valley

 

Horseback Rides Los Angeles

Trails Rides near Los Angeles

Lockwood Valley

Los Angeles Horseback Riding

horseback

 

American Jousting Alliance
James Zoppe Trail Rides
Lockwood Valley
15568 Greenleaf Springs Road
Frazier Park , CA
661-245-4000

Cowgirl Tours & Training
3696 N Fair Oaks Street
Altadena Ca 91001
626-421-5749

Griffith Park Pony Rides
[PERMANENTLY CLOSED 2023]

LA Horse Rentals
Griffith Park
1850 Riverside Drive
Glendale, CA 91201
818-242-8443

Los Angeles Equestrian Center
480 West Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506
818-840-9063

Malibu Horse Riding
2550 Old Topanga Canyon Rd
Topanga, CA 90290
818-225-7433

Marshall Canyon Equestrian Center
7000 Esperanza Dr
La Verne, CA 91750
909-593-8739

Montebello Barnyard Zoo
& Pony Rides

600 Rea Drive
Montebello, CA
213-718-5442

Palos Verdes Stables
4057 Viaduct Opata
Palos Verdes, CA
310-310-5178

Rancho Potrero
4790 West Lynn Road
Newbury Park, CA 91320
805-491-1230

Sunset Ranch Stables
3400 N. Beachwood Dr
Hollywood, CA 90068
323-469-5450

Sunwolf Farms
Lockwood Valley Rd
Frazier Park, CA 93225
661-245-9653

Trail 21W03 Mt Pinos