WILDLIFE RIDES ON CHANSLOR RANCH
Turtle Pond Ride (estimated time 30 minutes - $35.00)
Among the wildlife frequently seen on this ride are western pond turtles and osprey (fish hawks).
The pond is home to the endangered red legged frog, migratory ducks and geese, blue heron and
egret as well as fox, bobcat, skunks, raccoons and visiting river otter. The pond has trout, catfish,
bass and sunfish and is available for catch and release fishing at designated sites.
The River Otter Ride (estimated time 45 minutes - $45.00)
The ride passes by a Miwok campsite and heads out to Salmon Creek, a steelhead trout
breeding stream. On the way to Salmon Creek, red tail hawks and ground nesting hawks called
harriers are frequently seen. From the bluff overlooking Salmon Creek State Beach, large numbers
of migratory waterfowl and river otter are frequently seen in the creek and surrounding marsh.
Spanish explorers, who first came in 1775, and Russian fur traders who came in 1809, wrote
about a Native American Miwok village at the mouth of Salmon Creek (where the State Parks office
is visible in the cypress grove. The ride takes the trail around Turtle Pond – home to western pond
turtle, osprey, red-legged frog and many deer.
Salmon Creek Canyon Ride to Miwok Village (estimated time 60 minutes - $60.00)
The tour follows Osprey Trail to Salmon Creek Canyon on the way to the site of an historic Native
American Miwok village site mentioned by early explorers. Part of the route travels over a trail
used by the Russian fur traders in the very early 1800’s during the time they settled along what is
now the Sonoma County Coast. The trail lead to Vasily ranch (now Bodega) their inland farming
community. There is also a warm springs which feeds into the creek at a historic Miwok fishing
and camp site. Bobcat, fox, red tail hawks and many species of waterfowl are seen in the canyon,
as well as many native plants on canyon slopes that have never been grazed.
The Coleman Hill Ride (estimated time 90 minutes - $70.00)
The ride visits the wetlands on the way to Black tail trail and the upper portion of the ranch.
Views of the Sonoma Coast and redwood covered hills inland are spectacular. Chanslor is a
working ranch and cattle wander the hills with numerous deer, frequently seen bobcat and an
occasional coyote. When the whales are migrating they can be seen along the coast and just
off Salmon Creek beach. The ride goes past quarries used by Native American Miwoks to make
stone tools and the guide usually has samples to show guest. Riders can also see the path of
the San Andreas Fault through Bodega Bay and Harbour as well as most of the key sites where
Spanish, English and Russian explorers landed in the 1700 and 1800’s - and perhaps Sir Francis
Drake as far back as 1579.
*Additional options for group rides based on size of group
- Picnic Rides, Catered Barbecue, Buffet, Bands, Tents - see Chanslor Events
- Room packages at Inn at the Tides
- Ask about Wildlife Member Horse Sponsorship Programs
