To live the California equestrian lifestyle is to be steeped in the west’s timeless draws.

Think “horse” and the mind may wander to places like Middleburg, Virginia, in the Hunt Country outside Washington, Wellington or Ocala in Florida, or leafy northeast enclaves like Greenwich, Connecticut, or New York’s Bedford and North Salem. But the Golden State has long been a stronghold of equestrian life, dually influenced by European riding tradition and a uniquely regional horseback culture descended from the days of Spanish missions, ranchos, and the vaquero.

One could argue horses are inextricably connected with the real estate they occupy, and that certainly holds true in the Bay Area. After the Gold Rush, thoroughbreds found homes at the grand country estates of storied San Francisco families, who settled the likes of Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside, and Portola Valley, communities that remain horse-forward today. In the 1870s, Leland Stanford established his Palo Alto stock farm ( now Stanford University) to pursue his passion for breeding racehorses — in 1878, Eadward Muybridge filmed one of them to create the world’s first motion picture, which may well have been the first modern technological innovation to take place in what would come to be called Silicon Valley. In some area neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to see horseback riders on residential streets as they head to and from the trails.

With rolling hills and breathtaking coastline, California’s wide-open spaces constantly invite you to get out and explore — and it’s even better when you can do it on horseback. From the North Bay to the South Bay, these four storied properties exemplify why Northern California has a permanent residence in the stable of world-class equestrian destinations.

Santa Clara County

3970 Leavesley Road, Gilroy

The Property: Set on nearly 60 acres at the southern edge of the Santa Clara Valley, this enchanting property captures what makes Gilroy so special. This productive ranch, which is dotted with scenic ponds and Italian cypress trees, feels like a world away, yet it’s located just minutes from shopping and dining, golf, essential services, and more. A private water supply means there are no bills to irrigate the property’s vineyards — or to satiate the thirsty horses that can populate its stables and other equestrian facilities. For human residents, the main residence, along with a 2,300-square-foot guest house set below gentle hills, offer a combined 4,222 square acres of living space. Situated near other organic farms, the property has been kept pesticide-free, giving homeowners limitless opportunities for growing the fruit and vegetables of their choosing.

The Place: Even if you didn’t know Gilroy’s claim to fame was its superior garlic harvests you’d discover it quickly when approaching the town via Route 101, as signs tout garlic-flavored ice cream and announce Gilroy as “The Garlic Capital of the World.” But Gilroy offers far more than its famed crop, featuring lush parks and outdoor recreation (hiking, biking), plus excellent wineries, taprooms, and farm stands. Plus, the horticulture-themed Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park delivers fun for all ages.

Sonoma County

1656 Middle Two Rock Road, Petaluma

The Property: Set on a manageable 2.55 acres, this North Bay spread pairs a charming c.1919 home with serious facilities. The three-bedroom house gained a two-story addition in the early 2000s, bumping its square footage up to a comfortable 3,444; highlights include a stone corner fireplace, an elevated chef’s kitchen with an L-shaped island, and a wraparound deck overlooking the property. It’s a perfect setup for horse and dog lovers alike: the ornate barn combines eight paddocks, a tack room, and an office in just under 6,000 square feet, and the riding arena was formerly part of a dog park, ensuring canines can run free without getting lost or escaping. A three-bay, 3,600-square-foot professional shop has an auto lift and a freight elevator to the upstairs loft storage area, which neighbors a board room with a full kitchen and bath.

The Place: A hub for arts and culture as well as an agricultural center known especially for its dairy production, Petaluma is a large city by Sonoma standards (the 2020 census revealed nearly 60,000 residents). Located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area (you can reach San Francisco in under an hour), Petaluma boasts a historic commercial center, the Petaluma Arts Center (which features exhibitions and conservational series), and the nonprofit Cinnabar Theater.

3651 Bones Road, Sebastopol

The Property: Who said all horse properties had to be rustic? This stylish contemporary farmhouse, with four bedrooms and 2,600 square feet of living space, packs a sunny mid-century modern vibe, accentuated with soaring clerestory windows, exposed beams, and a towering stone fireplace. Out back, there’s a freeform swimming pool, which lies in view rom the home’s greenhouse-like sunroom. But perhaps it’s the property’s 18 gated acres that comprise the main event: They’re assembled from three legal parcels, and the residence and the barn occupy just one. The driveway winds in through rolling, wooded hills, which reveal the babbling brooks, tranquil meadows, and next-door vineyards that frame this idyllic retreat.

The Place: For many people who want to live within striking distance of San Francisco (it’s about an hour away), yet want to soak up Sonoma County’s agricultural splendor, Sebastopol is the ticket. A historic downtown filled with restaurants, boutiques, and artisanal shops gives way to apple orchards and vineyards, and bit farther west, to Bodega Bay and the Russian River. Between those two lies the spectacularly twisty Highway 1 along the dramatic Sonoma Coast.

Mendocino County

4610 Feliz Creek Road, Hopland

The Property: Set on 16 hilltop acres, this unique one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath modern cabin with a steeply pitched roof is loaded with personality. Highlights include an iron spiral staircase, a claw-footed soaking tub, and a stovepipe fireplace, along with statement corner windows that flood the home in natural light. Exposed rafters and assertive crossbeams express function in artful form. Offering serious scenery and no shortage of trails to blaze, this Mendocino County homestead awaits whatever plans you can dream up, whether that vision includes stables, gardens, or something else entirely.

The Place: Positioned on the west bank of the Russian River, Hopland is more than 90 minutes’ drive to Mendocino, the coastal town of otherworldly beauty that stood in for Jessica Fletcher’s Maine town in Murder, She Wrote. Hopland itself is a remote outpost, with fewer than 700 residents, according to the 2020 census, but it boasts wineries, restaurants, and the historic Thatcher Inn, which dates from the Victorian era. And it takes only 30 minutes to reach the Sonoma Country tourist and foodie mecca of Healdsburg.