Some of the best surprises hide down quiet country roads, far from the busy highways of California. You pull in expecting a simple horse ride and leave with a story you will tell for years.
Picture climbing onto a horse the size of a small car, then feeling it move as calmly as a slow summer breeze. That is the kind of memory waiting on a family ranch near the coast, and it might just become the highlight of your whole trip.
A Clydesdale Ranch Tucked Near the Cambria Coast
Off Bridge Street in Cambria, California, sits a working horse ranch with a very specific passion: Clydesdales. Covell’s Clydesdales operates at 5694 Bridge St, and it offers something few places anywhere can match, a chance to ride these towering draft horses on a real trail.
The ranch sits just minutes from the Pacific Ocean and from downtown Cambria, so it fits neatly into a Central Coast getaway. One visitor even called it one of the only spots in the country where you can take a trail ride on a Clydesdale.
Guests come for two main experiences here. There are guided trail rides on horseback, and there is a wagon or vehicle tour that rolls across the property for those who would rather stay on the ground.
Either way, you spend time up close with a herd that has been bred, raised, and trained right on site.
The Family Story Behind Covell Ranch
Behind every great ranch is someone who works it seven days a week. At Covell Ranch, that person is Tara Covell, the owner who breeds, raises, and trains the Clydesdales herself, with help from her family and team.
Visitors often describe her as knowledgeable and down to earth. One guest summed her up as tough, kind, inspirational, and gracious, which is quite a combination for one person to carry.
Many guests mention how interesting the ranch history is, and Tara often shares it personally during tours. A few even note that the business is run by an all-female team, and one parent encouraged families with daughters to visit and witness some real girl power.
Her reach goes beyond rides, too. One family shared that Tara helped them achieve their dream of owning a Clydesdale years ago, and they have since added more to their herd.
Hundreds of Acres of Forest, Hills, and Grassland
Space is the first thing that strikes most people. Covell Ranch spans hundreds of acres, and the land shifts from thick forest to rolling hills to open grassland as you move across it.
The property feels alive in small ways. Riders have spotted wild turkeys wandering about, and cows rest and graze in the pastures along the route.
Guides even give a heads-up to stay alert in case the cattle suddenly stand and startle the horses.
Guests describe the scenery as peaceful and refreshing, the kind of place where your shoulders drop without you noticing. One birthday visitor called the property huge and said much of it was wooded, which surprises people who picture a simple corral.
Seeing a herd of free-roaming Clydesdales across these hills left one road-tripper saying she had never seen anything like it. That sense of open country is a big part of the charm.
Trail Rides That End With Ocean Views
Imagine plodding through cool, shaded woods and then catching a glimpse of blue water ahead. Riders describe the route winding through shady oak and pine forests before ending with beautiful ocean views.
The trail rides are the headline act here, and guests consistently call them well organized. A short briefing comes first, then the group heads out with guides who stay close and keep things friendly.
Parts of the ride are a calm walk through pastures, while certain stretches allow riders to trot. Several first-timers were thrilled to say they trotted for the very first time, calling it an experience all on its own.
Ride length seems just right for beginners too. One returning rider who had not been on a horse in decades said the length was perfect, ending right as she felt ready to climb down.
Booking a morning ride is one option guests have mentioned.
Gentle Giants With Big Personalities
Size can be intimidating when your horse’s back sits higher than your head. Yet visitors keep repeating the same message: do not let the scale of these animals scare you away.
Guests describe the horses as easygoing, sweet, well mannered, and graceful. Several mention being nervous at first, only to relax once they felt how steady and calm their mount was on the trail.
Individual horses earn their own fan clubs. Legacy helped one rider feel calm after a bad past experience with horses.
Marshall and Cristy carried a married couple with zero riding background. Then there is Lucky, a 20-year-old mare who tailgated her slow-moving best friend Eileen down the trail, giving her rider a good laugh.
Riders often notice how healthy and loved the herd looks. One guest even checked off a bucket list item by hugging a Clydesdale, with Tara snapping the photo.
Thoughtful Matching for Every Comfort Level
Ever worried you are too new to ride? Plenty of guests arrive with exactly that fear, and they leave surprised by how smooth the whole thing felt.
Before heading out, Tara asks each rider about their comfort level. People who rate themselves as timid are paired with slower, steadier horses, while riders with more background get a mount that suits them.
One couple felt sure they were matched with the best possible horses for their skills.
Instructions are described as thorough but quick, clear enough that people feel confident right away. A guest who had taken lessons before appreciated feeling safe being honest about what she did not know, and she found Tara very encouraging.
Helmets are part of the picture, and visitors frequently say the team is all about safety and fun. As one fan put it, there is a horse here for just about anyone.
Wagon Tours for Non-Riders
Not ready to saddle up? The ranch also offers a wagon tour that loops through the property, and guests describe it as just as memorable as a ride.
Tara often drives the wagon herself, carrying around ten people at a time. Along the way, she explains what it takes to own, breed, and raise Clydesdales, along with updates on what is happening around the ranch.
One guest who received the tour as a surprise for her 70th birthday called it a truly memorable hour and a half.
Families like it for all ages, since little ones can enjoy the scenery without worrying about riding. One road-tripping couple found trail rides already full on their date but still grabbed space on the vehicle tour.
Several riders say they plan to return for the wagon tour next time, just to see more of the land.
Baby Clydesdales and Their Mamas
Spring visitors sometimes get a bonus that is hard to beat: foals. Because the ranch breeds its own horses, babies appear on the property, and guests have been able to see them up close.
One family visiting in May got to pet and take photos with two foals and their mothers. Another rider mentioned seeing moms and foals during her visit, adding to an already happy morning.
Watching a young Clydesdale wobble around its mom gives you a sense of how these horses grow into the steady trail partners you meet later. It also shows the full cycle of what happens here, from birth to training to carrying riders on the hills.
Foal sightings depend on timing, of course, so nothing is guaranteed. Still, if you love baby animals, a springtime visit may offer extra sweetness alongside the main event.
Mini Donkeys, a Fetching Dog, and a Playful Cat
Here is a fun surprise: the Clydesdales are not the only stars. Donkeys come up again and again when people talk about their visit, and guests adore them.
A pen full of playful miniature donkeys charms nearly everyone, with one guest especially loving the drove wandering around the ranch. Riders are often encouraged to meet all the animals after their ride, and some say they could spend as long as they wanted with the horses and mini donkeys.
Then there is Jamie, the welcome mascot dog. She drops a rock at your feet for fetch and happily joins a round of tug of war, and one visitor joked that she never tires of catch.
Do not miss Richard either. This young orange cat plays with anything he can reach, and one guest declared him the best cat ever.
Guides Who Make Every Rider Feel Special
Group rides can sometimes feel rushed, but guests here describe the opposite. One rider said the guides made each person feel individually special, as if they were the only one on the trail.
Names like Sydney and Chloe show up alongside Tara in visitor stories, praised as knowledgeable, personable, and great company. People describe the staff as friendly, caring, and helpful from arrival to goodbye.
The kindness stretches past horses. One guest locked her keys in her car, and Tara helped arrange for someone to come unlock it.
That visitor laughed that she would not repeat the mistake next time.
Hospitality seems baked into how the ranch runs. Folks mention meeting the horses both before and after the ride, plus plenty of time to ask questions.
It adds up to an outing that feels personal rather than like a quick tourist stop.
Who Will Love a Visit Here
Couples, families, birthday celebrators, and road-trippers all seem to find their place at this ranch. The mix of activities means nearly everyone can join in some way.
Total beginners are a big part of the crowd. Married couples with no riding background, a woman returning to the saddle after 50 years, and nervous first-timers have all described feeling at ease.
Experienced riders enjoy the trotting sections and the chance to learn more.
Families say the wagon tour works for every age, and animal lovers get endless time with donkeys, a dog, a cat, and foals in season. One guest even drove three and a half hours and called it totally worth it.
If you are passing through on a Highway 101 trip, visitors call it a must-do. Many talk about returning in spring or bringing visiting relatives next time.
Hours, Booking Tips, and Getting There
Planning ahead pays off here. The ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and is closed on Sundays.
Reservations matter, especially for trail rides. One visitor followed the website instructions and texted the ranch about two weeks ahead, only to find rides already booked for that day.
Luckily, the vehicle tour still had room. Once confirmed, the team sent clear directions on what to expect and where to arrive.
You can reach the ranch by phone at 805-975-7332 or visit covellsclydesdaleranch.com for booking details. The address is 5694 Bridge St, Cambria, CA 93428, just minutes from downtown and the coast.
Pricing is not listed in the details available, so check the website before you go. Wearing the provided helmet is smart, and keeping your car keys handy is apparently wise too.
A Soft Verdict on Riding With the Giants
Some outings fade from memory within a week. A morning on a Clydesdale near Cambria tends to stick around much longer.
Everything here points to a ranch built on care. The horses are bred and trained on site, the guides know their animals well, and the land itself offers forest shade, open hills, and ocean views.
Add a fetch-loving dog, mischievous mini donkeys, and maybe a foal or two, and the day feels richer than a typical ride.
Visitors return again and again, or promise they will. One woman checked a hug off her bucket list, while another celebrated a milestone birthday on a wagon.
If gentle, enormous horses and quiet coastal country sound appealing, book early and come curious. Chances are you will drive away already planning your next visit, maybe for that wagon tour you skipped.
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