TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA -- The hills, meadows and mountains in and around Tuolumne County provide a magnificent backdrop for a leisurely horseback ride, whether you bring your own horse along or if you opt for a guided trail ride.

You'll find boarding facilities as well as guides and rental horses in the historic town of Groveland (where you'll also find terrific, less expensive and often less crowded lodging and restaurant alternatives to those actually in Yosemite Valley).

Horseback riding in Tuolumne County is a year round activity, even in winter when you'll find photogenic views of the surrounding majestic snow capped mountains, rolling grass covered meadows along with deer, birds and occasionally other wildlife coming out to graze.

The Pine Mountain Lake Equestrian Center in Groveland offers guided trail rides for novice through experienced riders, as well as boarding facilities for those who want to bring their mounts along.

Guides are friendly and easy going yet experienced and alert to the needs of their charges -- seemingly in all places at once making sure everyone on the ride is safe and comfortable.

Parents note that Pine Mountain Lake Equestrian Center also offers children's day camps -- an introduction to horses and the stables for children ages 7 to 14. Each camp session lasts 4 hours and consists of a short trail ride, horse and stable care, fun and game activities and lunch. Each camp group is limited to a maximum of 10 students.

Practicalities:

For more information or reservations call 209-962-8666 or visit www.pinemountainresort.com.

You can also explore the Sonora area on horseback at the Kennedy Meadows Resort Pack Station (www.kennedymeadows.com or call 209-965-3900) and the Aspen Meadows Pack Station (www.aspenmeadowpackstation.com or 209-965-3402). Both these facilities offer trail rides as well as extended horse-packing expeditions for those who want a true old-west wilderness experience.

You can learn more about visiting all the attractions in Tuolumne County by calling the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-446-1333 or 209-533-4420 or visit their website: www.tcvb.com.

Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day and The Low Carb Restaurant Guide, and the co-author of US Citizenship for Dummies. To learn more about Cheri, click here.