San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land
Pony Land / San Diego Beach Rides, 2606 Hollister St, San Diego, CA 92154
About
San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land offers guided trail rides, beach rides, swim adventure rides, sunset rides, riverbed rides, pony rides, a pony carousel, and a petting zoo. The program also offers birthday party packages, on-site party packages, off-site animal rentals, wagons and carriages, unique rentals, horse camps, horseback riding lessons, horse boarding, horse training, breeding of American Quarter Horses, horses for sale, photography shoots, and several types of wagons including a hay ride wagon, stage coach wagon, flatbed wagon, and bob sleigh wagon.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours are Monday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, with trail and beach rides offered 7 days a week from 9 am to dusk, and riders going out 7 days a week with the last departure between 4 pm and 6 pm depending on the season and tour; pony rides and the petting zoo are available by appointment.
• Price: Gift Certificates are available in $25, $50 and $100 amounts.
Pony rides are available for children under 6 years old who weigh less than 70 pounds, and each pony ride consists of three laps around a corral with an experienced guide. Pony rides are specially designed for nervous, first-time riders, and the petting zoo includes bunnies, a mini cow, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and some exotic animals. The program can bring ponies and the pony carousel to off-site locations and specializes in large events, with Clydesdales that can pull wagons with up to 18 passengers and custom wagons such as a stage coach, hay ride, flatbed, and bob sleigh that can handle bumpy terrain or long parade routes. The program also rents white horses for weddings and other special events and specializes in traditional Indian Barat weddings with richly detailed gold and red accessories. The facility is described as kid friendly and laid back.
San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land describes itself as San Diego's premier trail horseback riding, with scenic River Valley Nature Preserve rides, a riverbed ride with fragrant, lush greenery and occasional wildlife viewings, and direct trail access to the Tijuana River Valley Trail System. Beach, swim adventure, and sunset rides go through the Preserve to the only beach in San Diego where a rider can ride a horse. The ranch includes a large western-themed picnic party area with ready-to-use picnic tables and a buckboard BBQ, and the entrance features a blue horse barn and white fence.
Pony Land was founded by Dan Winne and is now run by his son Garret and Garret’s wife Jessica. The ranch has been family-owned and operated for over the past twenty years, and the company name was changed from Happy Trails to San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land after Dan Winne’s passing. In 2016 the Winne family welcomed their son DJ to the ranch. Garret and Jessica are lifelong horse people, experienced guides lead pony rides, and experienced trainers offer riding lessons from beginning to advanced in many disciplines. The Winne family states that they enjoy sharing their love of animals, especially horses, with the public.
One testimonial from Maeve F. from Nottingham, MD, describes San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land as “the Best place to fulfill your dreams of riding HorseBack on the Beach,” noting a fantastic time, a wonderful guide named Connie, beautiful and well-behaved horses that are taken care of and loved, and the ability to see the border of Tijuana, Mexico. Another testimonial from Jay S. from Union, NJ, describes a “lovely experience” for a first-time rider, with guide Christina explaining everything, being conversational and friendly, and providing a great ride with well-behaved horses named Snickers and Patty, and mentions that the reservation over the phone went smoothly and was easy to book.
Last updated June 24, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours are Monday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, with trail and beach rides offered 7 days a week from 9 am to dusk, and riders going out 7 days a week with the last departure between 4 pm and 6 pm depending on the season and tour; pony rides and the petting zoo are available by appointment.
• Price: Gift Certificates are available in $25, $50 and $100 amounts.
Pony rides are available for children under 6 years old who weigh less than 70 pounds, and each pony ride consists of three laps around a corral with an experienced guide. Pony rides are specially designed for nervous, first-time riders, and the petting zoo includes bunnies, a mini cow, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and some exotic animals. The program can bring ponies and the pony carousel to off-site locations and specializes in large events, with Clydesdales that can pull wagons with up to 18 passengers and custom wagons such as a stage coach, hay ride, flatbed, and bob sleigh that can handle bumpy terrain or long parade routes. The program also rents white horses for weddings and other special events and specializes in traditional Indian Barat weddings with richly detailed gold and red accessories. The facility is described as kid friendly and laid back.
San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land describes itself as San Diego's premier trail horseback riding, with scenic River Valley Nature Preserve rides, a riverbed ride with fragrant, lush greenery and occasional wildlife viewings, and direct trail access to the Tijuana River Valley Trail System. Beach, swim adventure, and sunset rides go through the Preserve to the only beach in San Diego where a rider can ride a horse. The ranch includes a large western-themed picnic party area with ready-to-use picnic tables and a buckboard BBQ, and the entrance features a blue horse barn and white fence.
Pony Land was founded by Dan Winne and is now run by his son Garret and Garret’s wife Jessica. The ranch has been family-owned and operated for over the past twenty years, and the company name was changed from Happy Trails to San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land after Dan Winne’s passing. In 2016 the Winne family welcomed their son DJ to the ranch. Garret and Jessica are lifelong horse people, experienced guides lead pony rides, and experienced trainers offer riding lessons from beginning to advanced in many disciplines. The Winne family states that they enjoy sharing their love of animals, especially horses, with the public.
One testimonial from Maeve F. from Nottingham, MD, describes San Diego Beach Rides at Pony Land as “the Best place to fulfill your dreams of riding HorseBack on the Beach,” noting a fantastic time, a wonderful guide named Connie, beautiful and well-behaved horses that are taken care of and loved, and the ability to see the border of Tijuana, Mexico. Another testimonial from Jay S. from Union, NJ, describes a “lovely experience” for a first-time rider, with guide Christina explaining everything, being conversational and friendly, and providing a great ride with well-behaved horses named Snickers and Patty, and mentions that the reservation over the phone went smoothly and was easy to book.
Last updated June 24, 2026.
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