Baldwin Lake Stables
Baldwin Lake Stables
4
About
Horseback rides that range from one hour to a half-day in length that explore the scenic countryside of the Big Bear Valley.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.0
41 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
10
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Tmac
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
This is a must do when visiting Big Bear!
I would like to start by saying make reservations! The owner who took our reservations was a bit curt and condescending so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. However when we arrived and had Sherry as our tour guide it was a game changer!
My kids (one who is on the spectrum) we’re a little afraid and timid. Sherry knew exactly how to talk to them and work with both of them. At the end of the ride I had 2 very happy kids who had more confidence in themselves and abilities than when we started.
These tour guides work only for tips. I’m not a wealthy women but at the end of this ride I was compelled to tip Sherry twice what spent on the ride.
Thank you Sherry for exceeding our expectations and providing my kids a memorable life experience!
I would like to start by saying make reservations! The owner who took our reservations was a bit curt and condescending so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. However when we arrived and had Sherry as our tour guide it was a game changer!
My kids (one who is on the spectrum) we’re a little afraid and timid. Sherry knew exactly how to talk to them and work with both of them. At the end of the ride I had 2 very happy kids who had more confidence in themselves and abilities than when we started.
These tour guides work only for tips. I’m not a wealthy women but at the end of this ride I was compelled to tip Sherry twice what spent on the ride.
Thank you Sherry for exceeding our expectations and providing my kids a memorable life experience!
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OHmilitaryfamily
Aiken, SC42 contributions
We booked a 1 hr guided tour this past Sat. and were looking forward to what we thought would be a secluded tour in the forest. We paid $40 cash per person, so for our family of 4, it was definitely expensive. If we had paid by credit card, the cost would have been $45 per person (Yikes!) Positive: They were good at matching us to the horses and picked out appropriate horses for our experience level. The kids enjoyed being on the horses and the guides took our picture with our camera. Negatives: The entire ride only lasted 50 minutes; we traveled up a dirt road approx 1/2 mile to a trail in the SanBernardino Nat'l Forest. The trail itself was in a residential area of the forest; there were probably only a couple of times that we couldn't see someone's home. There weren't really any views, other than the trees and the residences (no panoramic views at all-we weren't that high up). The guides really didn't impart any knowledge of the area or its history to us. I had to ask questions to even get them to talk. I'd say that we spent maybe 20 minutes on a circular trail in the treed forest area, and then back to that dirt road that went back to the stables. Probably traveled less than 3 miles round trip. If the cost was only $20 per person, maybe it would have been worth it, but for $160, I expected much better. I think a visit in their petting zoo should be included with the horseback ride; it would have made the cost slightly more palatable. The petting zoo otherwise cost $3. OH, and I almost forgot about the blatant signs posted several places that the guides only work for tips. WHAT?!! For $160, we still are expected to provide a tip? UNBELIEVABLE. Here's my tip: Save your money for the Alpine Sled luge ride on Big Bear Blvd. It was more fun, less expensive, and provided for much better views at the top!
Written 11 October 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine22772
Pasadena, California1 contribution
The one-hour ride at Baldwin Stables was pricey but fun. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations. On the one-hour ride, we made our way on sturdy steeds up the pine and cactus-covered hills on narrow trails. All was sere and beautiful. Our guide was knowledgeable and kind, especially to the children. It was a terrific ride!
Written 12 April 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K
Oregon20 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
$40 per person 1hr ride. The ride was decent, the horses were good and the guides knew what they were doing. It just chaps me when a place puts big signs everywhere trying to put the burden on you to pay their employees. @ $160 for 4 people for a 1hr ride I would think they could find some extra in there to pay their help.
Written 23 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veronica M
Upland, CA7 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
HORRIBLE PLACE! Six of us went on a one hour ride. From the beginning, the manager lady yelled at a few of us for not keeping the horse in line. Not to mention we hadn't even left the stable! The ride was okay, even though I could not hear a single thing the guide was saying. During the ride we could all tell that a few of the horses were a bit restless. At one point, my horse finally had it and bucked me off. The remaining six horses, plus the guide's horse, all went crazy. I went flying and hurt my back so bad. Everyone else had to jump off their horse in order to avoid being bucked off and getting hurt. It was an extremely scary experience seeing all six horses with their front legs in the air while our two daughters tried their hardest to control them! Everyone, including the guide, and including me with my very hurt back, had to walk all the way back to the stables. The only thing worst than the bad experience we had out in the forest with the horses was the HORRIBLE show of concern from the manager. She was insensitive, rude, and condescending. One of her last comments to us was, "You guys went over by 20 minutes!" Wow, really?! Unbelievable!
Written 27 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilma1922
London, UK50 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
As a keen rider, I was looking forward to riding in the Big Bear Lake area. This is the only stables in the area and I feel this has been counter productive to customer service at the ranch. You need to book in advance which is fine however on arrival, the owner is not very friendly and makes it clear that she is unhappy that you are paying by credit card rather than cash. Next, the completion of forms again a necessity for riding is not handled in a friendly fashion rather again it is fill these in ...and no smiles. I rather felt like I was being done some sort of favour being taken for a ride (which was not cheap) rather than an enjoyable afternoon activity. When we finally got on the ride with the wrangler, she was pleasant and chatted which made up for the rather unpleasant welcome to the establishment of the owner. Whilst I enjoyed my ride, I would not recommend this establishment for customer service or friendliness. It was not the welcome I received elsewhere in Big Bear and California ...come on....it is a fun activity, smile and appear like you would like customers..we are not an inconvenience.
Written 30 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally B
Marina del Rey, CA537 contributions
We went on the Sunset Ride and the views were spectacular. Everyone was really nice and we had a wonderful time.
Written 2 June 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DK_KNIGHT42
59 contributions
If you want to go on an actual ride you need to go for at least two hours. From the stables it takes 30 min to get to the trails. The trails are in the nearby state park. The 3hr ride was perfect. I am experienced but my wife not so much but she still really enjoyed the ride. The rides takes you through some awesome views especially one point was breathtaking. Our guide was Christine and was very nice. Other staff not overly friendly but not many in California really are.
Written 25 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigBearChick
Big Bear, CA7 contributions
I live in Big Bear and have been riding with Baldwin stables a few times now. I love horses and since I do not have my own I go out on theirs every so often. Recently I had a friend from Norway visiting so we decided to take the 2 hour ride. It was mid week and it ended up being just the 2 of us and our guide. I enjoyed the 2 hour over the 1 hour which I have take a few times before. I also would like to do the sunset and a full moon ride if they bring those back. The 2 hour took us further out and we ended up on a beautiful overlook that we took a few pictures of the valley below. Our guide was friendly and informative.
Written 19 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kgellen
Boca Raton, FL64 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
We took the 2 hour ride, based on others' recommendations...and we agree this is the way to go! The shorter ride wouldn't allow you the time to get far enough from the stables / surrounding neighborhood and see the great scenery! We had riders from ages 8 through 50 and different experience levels. The guide catered to all. This was a guided, casual, "sightseeing" experience on horseback - don't expect to take the horse on your own for a run along the coastline! Everyone we met at the stables were knowledgeable, cared about the horses and the guest experiences. Note: Guides accept tips. Helmets are available if you choose (and required for younger riders, I think). Arrive early as you will have to read and sign a waiver for each participant. Saddle bags are provided for any smaller personal items and bottled water. You are not supposed to take photos or videos while on the horse (safety reasons). You might want to wear sunglasses, sunscreen and/or a hat. Also, if it is particularly dry or dusty, sunglasses and a banana (to cover mouth). If you have any questions about the length of ride, if you need reservations at a certain time of year, which ride to choose, etc., call the Stable well in advance...they were great at answering all our questions and giving us the info we needed.
Written 28 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does anyone have an e-mail adress for this place? I'm going to book a ride from Italy, and telephone is quite unhandy (and costy). Thanks
Written 20 August 2016
MĂ©lodie M
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Peut-on effectuer une balade avec un enfant de 5 ans et en période d'hiver?
Merci
Written 17 December 2015
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