Circle Bar B Horseback Riding Stables

Updated April 15, 2024

About Circle Bar B Ranch & Stables, Horse Trail Riding in California

## Circle Bar B Horseback Riding Stables (Goleta): what to know before you book

Circle Bar B Stables is a guided horseback trail-riding outfit located at 1800 Refugio Road, Goleta, CA 93117. Bar B Stables
They market the experience as “Santa Barbara horseback riding,” with directions that place the ranch up Refugio Road from US-101’s Refugio Road/State Beach exit.

If you want a Central Coast ride that feels more like “backcountry hills” than a beach-boardwalk loop, Circle Bar B is positioned for that: their own materials describe Refugio Canyon and views toward the Gaviota coast and Santa Ynez mountains.

—

## Quick facts (so you can decide fast)

– Address: 1800 Refugio Road, Goleta, CA 93117 Bar B Stables
– Phone: (805) 968-3901 Bar B Stables
– Email: [email protected]
– Business hours (reported on their site): Open 7 days a week, 7:30 am – 8:00 pm
– Arrival guidance: arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled ride time
– Minimum age: riders must be 7+ Bar B Stables
– Weight limits (their site): 265 lb for 1.5-hour rides; 235 lb for all other rides Bar B Stables

—

## Rides and rates (and an important “check before you pay” note)

Circle Bar B lists multiple guided ride options and set departure times on its rates page. Bar B Stables

### Standard guided rides listed online
– 1.5-hour ride: $115 per person; departures 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM; 265 lb limit Bar B Stables
– 2.5-hour ride: $195 per person; departure 9:00 AM; 235 lb limit Bar B Stables

### Why you should confirm the current price before booking
Their site contains conflicting pricing for the 1.5-hour ride: a dedicated “1.5 Hour Rides” page shows $65 per person and slightly different departure times (including 4:00 PM). Bar B Stables
A Yelp snippet also mentions $105 per person for a 1.5-hour ride (as quoted in a reviewer’s experience).

What this means in practice: treat online prices as potentially outdated and call (805) 968-3901 to confirm the current rate for your date/time. Bar B Stables

Also, their site explicitly notes that ride prices do not include gratuity for your guide. Bar B Stables

—

## Where it is and how to get there

The ranch is reached from US-101, exiting at Refugio Road / State Beach, then driving 3.5 miles up Refugio Road into the canyon; stable parking is described as being on the left side of the road.
They suggest allowing about 35 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara via Highway 101 North.

—

## What to expect on the ride (from what they claim publicly)

Circle Bar B positions the ride as a guided trail experience through the Refugio Canyon / coastal Santa Ynez Mountains area with scenery that can include canyon terrain and wider coastal views. Bar B Guest Ranch
They also state that they welcome riders of all skill levels. Bar B Guest Ranch

Because these are guided rides with set departure windows listed online, plan your day around a fixed start time rather than a “show up any time” model. Bar B Stables

—

## Practical prep: what to wear, bring, and plan for

Their public pages don’t spell out a packing list, so here’s what you can safely plan around based on what is stated:

– Show up early: They ask for 20 minutes prior to departure; build that into your drive plan.
– Know the eligibility rules upfront: Minimum age 7+ and stated weight limits (265 lb / 235 lb depending on ride length). Bar B Stables
– Bring a payment-ready mindset for gratuity: They explicitly say gratuity is not included in ride prices. Bar B Stables
– Confirm the price and time on the phone: because the site shows different numbers and schedules across pages. Bar B Stables

If you’re planning around accessibility needs or riding accommodations, the most factual (and fastest) approach is to email or call directly, because their published pages don’t provide detailed accessibility specifics.

—

## Inclusivity and safety notes (based on their stated policies)

Circle Bar B’s published requirements—age minimum and weight limits—are clear and worth treating as non-negotiable, since they relate to rider safety and horse welfare. Bar B Stables
If your group includes mixed ages or body sizes, decide your ride length only after you confirm which limits apply to the specific ride you want. Bar B Stables

—

## A simple booking workflow that avoids surprises

1. Pick a ride duration (1.5 hr vs 2.5 hr) based on the published options. Bar B Stables
2. Call to confirm: current price, available times, and any constraints for your party. Bar B Stables
3. Arrive 20 minutes early as instructed.

They also state last-minute bookings are welcome by phone, and that reservation requests via form aren’t complete until confirmed by the stables. Bar B Stables

—

## Two contextual internal-link opportunities (editorial suggestions)
(These are link ideas to help your RealJourneyTravels.com UX; they aren’t claims about existing pages.)
– Link from this post to a guide about the Refugio Road / Refugio State Beach area (use anchor text like “Refugio State Beach” or “Refugio Canyon drive”). Santa Barbara
– Link to a broader Santa Barbara / Goleta things-to-do hub (anchor text like “things to do in Santa Barbara” or “Goleta day trips”). Santa Barbara

—

## Outdated or conflicting data to double-check before publishing
– Pricing discrepancy: $115 vs $65 for the 1.5-hour ride across Circle Bar B pages, plus a Yelp reviewer mentioning $105. Bar B Stables
– Hours discrepancy: their site shows 7:30 am – 8:00 pm, while Yelp snippets show other hours. Confirm before you publish a definitive hours section.

If you want, paste your two preferred RealJourneyTravels.com internal URLs (or your site’s Santa Barbara/Goleta hub URL structure), and I’ll weave them into the copy cleanly without guessing paths.

Key Highlights

Circle Bar B Horseback Riding Stables

Location

Places to Stay Near Circle Bar B Horseback Riding Stables

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides