About Central Coast Trailrides
Central Coast Trailrides was founded in 2015 by Crystal and Brian Hallett, both born and raised on the Central Coast of California. What started as a family passion for horses and the region they call home has grown into the premier horseback riding adventures Paso Robles Wine Country and San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) has to offer. The operation holds a perfect 5.0 rating across 400+ reviews, a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award, and a feature on NBC’s The Today Show.
The Hallett family (Brian, Crystal & Taylen) oversees every aspect of the operation personally, including managing the horse care, guest coordination,winery and ranch partnerships, and guiding rides, alongside their fantastic, hard working wranglers, Summer, Kaila, Grace and Nathaniel. Every guest who books with Central Coast Trailrides is hosted by a family and their employees that genuinely loves what they do.
The Family Behind Every Ride
Crystal grew up locally, with a lifelong passion for horses. Before launching Central Coast Trailrides in 2015, she wrangled for another trail riding operation in SLO County, which spurred her desire to start her own trail riding business. Crystal’s main focus now is taking care of the herd of 50+ horses, and keeping track of the daily schedule, so that the horses stay healthy and the guests are paired with a good match during their ride. Daily she is working hard, more behind the scenes, training and gentling the horses as well as various tasks keeping the business running smoothly.
Brian was born in San Luis Obispo and raised in the North County of the Central Coast. He has deep roots and strong ties with the land and the people of the local community. Along with helping oversee the management of the herd and the employees, he primarily focuses on the guest experience and CCT’s partnerships with the land owners and business relationships, including the use of the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch. Brian is both wrangler and storyteller, sharing the history of the land, local wildlife, and ranching traditions with every group.
Taylen was basically born in the business, and at an early age knows the ins and outs of the business extremely well. She helps on a daily basis, whether it be feeding and caring for the horses, helping catch and tack up horses for the daily rides, or guiding rides alongside the other wranglers, she is an integral and very valuable part of the operation. She is a natural with horses.
The Hallett crew has always been heart and hands behind every ride and will continue to be as Central Coast Trailrides continues its growth into the future.
The Central Coast Trailrides Herd
The Central Coast Trailrides herd includes 60+ horses of varying size, breed, and temperament, all owned by the Hallett family. Every horse is handpicked by the team for each ride and managed with strict attention to rest, workload, and care. They closely monitor the weekly schedule of every horse in the operation and occasionally decline bookings to protect horses from overwork.
Horses range from calm, patient partners for young children and first-time riders to athletic horses for experienced equestrians who want room to move. Large draft horses are available for riders who need a bigger mount. Before every booking, CCT collects each rider’s height, weight, and experience level to assign the right horse
Frequently Asked Questions About Central Coast Trailrides
For complete details on policies, pricing, and what to expect on arrival, visit the Central Coast Trailrides FAQ page.
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Crystal and Brian Hallett are the founders and co-owners of Central Coast Trailrides. Both were born and raised on the Central Coast. They started the operation in 2015 and personally manage every aspect of the business, from horse care and bookings, to leading rides and hosting groups on the the ranch.
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Central Coast Trailrides was founded in 2015 and has operated continuously since. The operation has grown from a family startup into the premier guided horseback riding service in Paso Robles Wine Country and SLO CAL, serving guests from across the United States and internationally.
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Yes. Every horse in the Central Coast Trailrides herd is owned by the Hallett family, not leased. They monitor the health, rest, and workload of every horse and occasionally decline bookings to protect animals from overwork. The herd is managed with genuine care.
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The herd includes 50+ horses of every size and temperament. Calm, patient horses for young children and first-time riders. Athletic horses for experienced equestrians who want room to move. Large draft horses for guests who need a bigger mount.
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Yes. Central Coast Trailrides was featured on NBC's The Today Show as one of the country's top summer getaways, in partnership with Travel Paso. The operation also holds a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award and a perfect 5.0 rating across 400+ reviews on Google and Yelp.
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Central Coast Trailrides is a featured partner of Visit California, Travel Paso, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, SLO CAL, and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo. The operation has an exclusive partnership with Ancient Peaks Winery, with complimentary wine tasting included with every ride booked on the Santa Margarita Ranch location.
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Yes. Crystal and Brian run the operation with their daughter Taylen. Taylen has stepped into a wrangler role and helps lead rides regularly. Every part of the business is operated by the Hallett family, from horse care to guest hosting.
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The Hallett family operates Central Coast Trailrirdes primarily out of the 14,000-acre Historic Santa Margarita Ranch just north of San Luis Obispo in the Paso Robles AVA.. The operation also brings horses to private properties and venues throughout SLO CAL.
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Guests find Central Coast Trailrides through Yelp, Google, Tripadvisor, SLO CAL, Travel Paso, Social Media Sites, Hospitality Companies, and most importantly, word-of-mouth referrals. All bookings are made directly by calling or texting Brian Hallett at (805) 610-1306. Rides are available every day from 8 AM to 8 PM (depending on the season) by appointment ONLY.
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Exclusive access to the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch, a mobile operation model, 50+ owned horses matched individually, a complimentary Ancient Peaks Winery tasting with every ride, and personal coordination by the Hallett family set Central Coast Trailrides apart.
Where Central Coast Trailrides Operates
Central Coast Trailrides welcomes riders daily from all over the world, riding in Paso Robles Wine Country and San Luis Obispo County.
Visit the full herd page to learn more about the horses before booking.
What Guests Are Saying
Central Coast Trailrides holds a perfect 5.0 rating across 400+ reviews on Google and Yelp and earned a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. NBC’s The Today Show featured the operation as one of the country’s top summer getaways.
Contact Central Coast Trailrides
Contact Central Coast Trailrides by calling or texting Brian Hallett directly at (805) 610-1306. Rides are available by appointment every day from 8 AM to 7 PM. All bookings require a deposit to secure. Credit cards, Apple Pay, and Cash are accepted on the day of the ride. Responses are typically very quick, with a same-day response, although sometimes being done from the back of a horse.
Phone / Text: (805) 610-1306
Hours: Every day, 8 AM to 7PM
Email: info@cctrailrides.com
All rides by appointment only. No walk-ins accepted.
Deposit required to confirm every booking.
