If you are looking for a good Western 'City Slicker' experience this is the place to go! I have been taking friends visiting from out of town to Ponderosa Stables for over 4 years now. By far their best ride is the T-bone steak evening ride. You ride off into the sunset into the South Mountains and enjoy the beautiful desert scenery as the sun paints a glorious colorful sky over the mountains. At one point there is a beautiful lookout view of the Valley of the Sun, which is a great for pictures. About an hour and a half later as the sun drops below the crest of the hill and your butt starts to ache from straddling a saddle, you arrive at the T-Bone Steak House, where you tie up your horse and go in for a drink and good food. I have met the owner and he is a genuinely nice fellow and is proud of his restaurant. The steaks are perfectly cooked with a basic salt and pepper seasoning. Their grilled corn on the cob is my favorite side and every meal comes with an open salad bar, nothing fancy but it hits the spot after a long ride. After you drain the drop of your last drink and the moon is rising, you saddle back up and ride back home at night. It is amazing to see the city scape at night from the mountainside, hear the sounds of desert life in the distance, and experience watching the horses expertly traverse the terrain in the dark! The ride back seems to go faster, but I think that is because the horses are excited they are going home for the evening.
I think the age limit for this ride is 6 and the weight limit is around 250lbs. The cost is about $45. It is well worth it and will keep coming back; I have never had a disappointing experience at Ponderosa Stables! Yeeehaaaw! :)