Ride through shaded mountain trails at Sacred Mountain Ranch and uncover Julian’s Gold Rush history. Perfect for beginners and families looking for a nature-rich, educational horseback experience.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
Suitable for beginners and families; basic physical ability needed to mount and maintain balance on horseback.
Wildlife
History
Julian thrived during California’s Gold Rush in the late 1800s, and many trails pass areas where miners once worked, intertwined with native plant habitats.
Conservation
Sacred Mountain Ranch emphasizes low-impact riding practices to preserve fragile ecosystems and educates visitors on the importance of protecting the forest’s unique tree species.
Sacred Mountain Ranch
Ride through shaded mountain trails at Sacred Mountain Ranch and uncover Julian’s Gold Rush history. Perfect for beginners and families looking for a nature-rich, educational horseback experience.
Sacred Mountain Ranch in Julian, California operates a mountain ranch offering guided horseback experiences and immersive equine programs. The ranch presents three distinct rides: the Historical Trail Tour, the Therapeutic Trail Ride, and the Cowboy Ride.
The Historical Trail Tour is a scenic horseback ride for beginners and families that explores shaded trails while sharing Julian Gold Rush history and highlighting native Manzanita and rare Coulter pine. The Therapeutic Trail Ride is a 90-minute, guided journey facilitated by a mental health professional and equine coach, combining mindful trail riding with pauses for reflection to support emotional awareness and connection. The Cowboy Ride focuses on horsemanship, beginning with grooming and tacking, followed by a guided trail ride and concluding with untacking and bathing the horse to build hands-on connection and ranch skills.
All experiences take place on natural trails around the ranch property in the Julian area and emphasize safety, respectful animal handling, and participant learning. Sacred Mountain Ranch accommodates beginners and family groups where noted, and organizes each outing with clear steps for riders. The ranch highlights local ecology and regional history during tours, offering both outdoor recreation and educational context. Weather and trail conditions determine final routing and timing. For visitors seeking horseback rides near Julian with historical interpretation, therapeutic support, or authentic ranch horsemanship, Sacred Mountain Ranch provides focused, third-party-guided experiences that connect riders to landscape and animal care. Booking information, availability, and safety guidelines are provided by the ranch at time of reservation and weather updates regularly.
Location
Julian, CA
Located in Julian, California
Tours Offered
3 Signature Rides
Historical, Therapeutic, Cowboy experiences
Therapy Ride
90 minutes
Guided by mental health professional and equine coach
Family Friendly
Beginners welcome
Historical Tour suited for families
Choose the Historical Trail Tour, 90-minute Therapeutic Ride, or full Cowboy experience — check availability and book ahead.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Boots or hard-soled shoes protect your feet and improve riding comfort on uneven trail terrain.
Bring sun protection
Though much of the ride is shaded, sunglasses and a hat will shield you during open stretches.
Dress in long pants
Long pants prevent chafing and offer better protection from brush and insects on the trail.
Arrive early for orientation
Plan to show up 15 minutes before your ride time to check in and get a safety briefing.
Riding boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes
Protects feet and provides stability while riding.
Long pants
Prevents chafing and protects legs from brush.
Sunscreen
Protects exposed skin during sunny sections of the trail.
summer
Refillable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated on the trail through changing weather.