Dude Ranch/Cowboy experience - Los Angeles

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llamadrama
llamadrama

Hi everyone,

We are going to be staying 6 nights in LA and we want to either spend a full night or do a day 'experience' at one of these dude ranches/cowboy farms - whatever you want to call it. We want to do the whole horseback riding, rope throwing, shooting, hay ball ride etc. for a day. Super nerdy but it is quite high on our bucket list.

Can anyone recommend the best one to visit nearby? We will be in LA the 2nd of October - 8th of October. (We will also be in Las Vegas for 4 nights prior to LA, if that might be a better option)

Thank you!

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nutraxfornerves
nutraxfornerves

The LA area is not exactly the best place to find a dude ranch. It is seriously urban. Dude ranches are more associated with states other than California. The ones in California aren't near LA. And most dude ranches aren't really what you are imagining. There might be a fair amount of horseback riding, but you aren't going to be roping cows or shooting pistols. And, most are not day trips; they are "spend several days" trips that are often summer only. Otherwise, the best you may find are trail rides--a few hours on horseback.

Sunset Ranch Hollywood has trail rides.

Topanga Canyon Another trail ride

There are some dude ranches in the Santa Barbara area, or the San Diego area, a couple of hours away. But they are more resort than heavy duty cowboy.

Nutrax
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55vineyard
55vineyard

There is this place north of Santa Barbara near Santa Ynez wine country but there is a two night minimum and it is mostly riding:
http://www.circlebarb.com/
My parents also stayed years ago at Alisal Ranch in the same general area but it is even more expensive at $550/night with breakfast and dinner included.
Las Vegas has several shooting ranges where you can blast away with all types of guns to your heart's content.

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wilderone2
wilderone2

After Las Vegas and before Los Angeles, you can head to Bridgeport, Calif. Hunewill Guest Ranch.
http://www.hunewillranch.com/
Seems there are some dude ranches in Nevada. Check online.

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llamadrama
llamadrama

Thank you all for your help!

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