Highland Ranch, Philo CA

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Information about Highland Ranch...

magine a collection of cozy lodging cabins scattered around a 125 year old ranch house nestled among the most majestic trees you've ever seen such as California Redwoods and Douglas Firs. Then, picture these trees covering limitless acres of gracefully sloping mountainside overlooking the beautiful redwood and winery country of the Anderson Valley. Throw in a few pristine lakes and connect everything with a hundred miles of mountain trails and wide dirt roads perfect for horseback riding, biking or hiking. Now you've got an idea of what Highland Ranch is like.

Feel free to take a look around. Wander into the kitchen to see what's cooking. Check out the accommodation options by taking a peek into the cabins. Get to know some of our horses and our riding program. Read what our guests have said in the guest book, and check out some of the photos they have sent us in our photo album.  And don't forget to check out some of the other activities available to you during your vacation like fishing, swimming, clay pigeon shooting, hiking, massage, yoga and tennis.

We host our own events here from time to time like equestrian horsemanship clinics, cooking classes, yoga retreats, workshops and holiday weekend specials. Of course, the ranch is also a great place for one of your events; maybe a company retreat or conference, group workshop or a family reunion. Or come and celebrate a big birthday, anniversary or honeymoon with us. Proposals in our hammocks are not uncommon either...

Because after all our aim is to give you a place to get away, maybe with your pet, dog and horse, and do anything you want for a while. Even if what you really want to do is nothing at all.

With over 100 miles of trails through giant old-growth redwoods, along the Navarro River, and back up to ridge tops overlooking the beautiful Anderson Valley our guests rarely ride the same trail twice. Guided trail rides go out twice a day and we accommodate all levels of riding. Safety is our number one priority. After all, riding should be fun!

Highland Ranch is known for its variety of activities available for adults and children.  We know that many guests come to Highland Ranch to take advantage of our excellent trail riding program, and we maintain a well-trained and cared for herd of geldings to ride on trails.

Typically there are two horseback rides a day leaving at around 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM, lasting about 1.5-2 hours.  We saddle ten to twelve guest horses per ride in two or three groups of six or less. Guests can expect at least one trail ride a day and often two.  The wrangler visits with guests at breakfast and at lunch to ascertain interest and riding level and we will always do our best to be sure that everyone has a satisfying and safe riding experience.

For groups booking the whole ranch, sometimes longer rides with a packed lunch (and more advanced rides to the swimming hole in the river) can be arranged when the schedule permits, usually only during summer months. Also, for more experienced riders, ask us about picking up the pace a little and we will do our best to gather a group of experienced riders and schedule a more advanced ride.