No Need to Be Saddled by the City

If you want to get away from hectic city life, but don’t have much time and can’t go far, here’s a great idea that combines the Wild West with tranquil forests and panoramic views.

Chatsworth-based Great Pacific Southwest Adventure can take you on a scenic one-hour horseback ride through the mountains or an overnight excursion to a more desolate location.

Great Pacific Southwest tour guides use the Billy Crystal movie, “City Slickers,” to describe the overnight trips. In the 1991 hit comedy, three men from New York escape city life by transforming into cowboys with a trip to the Wild West.

“When people think of L.A. they think of concrete, buildings and traffic, but we take you on wonderful rides not far from the city where you feel hundreds of miles away,” said Jewett Walker, a spokesman for Great Pacific Southwest Adventure.

Alonzo Weeden, a registered nurse, started the business about three years ago because he loves horses and enjoys going on rides in the nearby mountains.

He owns a two-acre ranch in Chatsworth that houses 12 horses, and between nursing jobs he takes clients on riding tours.

Great Pacific Southwest Adventure also works with the Department of Parks and Recreation in youth summer programs at Chatsworth Park.

“There are more than 200 miles of trails in the Santa Monica Mountain Reserve and a lot of the people who live in the area don’t even know they exist,” Weeden said. “It’s a wonderful thing to see and it’s in our backyard.”

The hourly rate for local rides is $20 and the overnight rate ranges from $80 to $90, which includes supplies such as food and camping gear.

Weeden provides the horses but if a customers have their own it’s not a problem.

For ultimate relaxation, he strongly recommends night rides under a full moon.

“It’s one of my favorite things because it’s so peaceful and tranquil,” Weeden said. “There’s nothing like it.”

Information: 818-700-8006.

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What’s the best way for newborns, toddlers and children to become acquainted with the outdoors and its plant and animal life?

Nursery Nature Walks, of course. The program is offered by the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to children up to 8 years of age and their families.

Walks take place seven days a week through August at 75 different locations, many in the Valley and Ventura areas.

The July schedule includes walks Saturday at Wildwood Canyon in Burbank and Pierce Farms in Woodland Hills. Topanga State Park will offer one on the 18th and 20th and McGrath State Beach in Ventura on the 22nd. On the 23rd, a walk is scheduled at Treepeople in Sherman Oaks.

A variety of walks are also offered in August. A $5 donation is required of each family.

Information: 310-364-3591.

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Two events remain on the Santa Clarita Mini Triathlon series in Castaic. The Tri 4-Real will be held Saturday and Tri 4-Dirt on July 27.

The first event features a 400-yard swim, 15-mile bike ride and 4.5-mile run. The second includes a 200-yard swim, six-mile mountain bike ride and 2.2-mile run.

Both mini triathlons have three categories--individual, three-member teams with each leg completed by a different person, and family, in which all competitors must be from the same family.

Entry fee for individuals is $22 and $36 for teams. For an additional $5 competitors will receive an event T-shirt.

Information: 805-251-5432.

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The Hokuloa Outrigger Club in Ventura holds free practice sessions for paddlers of all levels and ages at 11 a.m. each Sunday.

Interested paddlers meet at the end of Spinnaker Drive on the beach across from Channel Islands National Park headquarters in Ventura Harbor.

Information: 805-642-0269.