What is your most favorite type of travel adventure? Mine is Time Travel. No, we have not invented a time machine but we really don’t need one to travel in time these days. There are lots of historic parks, museums, festivals, re-enactments and experiences here in the U.S. that bring history to life in the most amazing fashion that is perfectly educational for both kids and adults.
Our family has always been fascinated by Wild West adventures. There are states in this country that are famous for such experiences: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, to name a few. California does not come to mind as a Wild West adventures destination. And yet one of the most exciting Wild West adventures that we ever experienced is located right here in the heart of California’s Central Coast.
We were very lucky that Harris Stage Lines hosted us for their family tour which was truly unforgettable. It is hard to describe in a few words what this cool tour is all about, so bear with me and don’t forget to take a sneak peek at the tour through our video review at the end of this article.
But before I tell you WHAT we saw and experienced on this fun Wild West adventure, let me quickly introduce to you WHO we did the tour with.
Tom and Debbie Harris, the owners of Harris Stage Lines, have decades of the most fascinating career, lots of it in show business and entertainment. From rodeos to Cesar Palace promos and Marlboro commercials and everything in between – they did it all. I suspect Tom is one of the few true cowboys left in California! This is why this tour with Tom and Debbie felt so authentic.
The Wild West adventures that Tom and Debbie offer on their ranch come from the heart and tons of experience with horses and different stagecoaches and you can definitely feel the passion behind what they do.
You begin the tour with an amazing collection of various horse drawn vehicles. Each one has a fascinating history. You will be able to see such gems as the “cowboy RV”, “the carriage that won the West”, chariots, and even the exact same coach that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle rode in after their royal wedding!
Next, you will check out some cool farm equipment that is still in perfect working condition designed for ploughing, gathering hay and more.
After the equipment display you will proceed to the “music hall” where you will see a fascinating collection of old organs and pianos, the types that were played in the saloons of the Wild West and at the silent movies, some of which are over 100 years old! You will be able to hear a couple of them play and it is so much fun! You can listen to them too while watching our video below.
You will end your Wild West adventures with the highlight of the tour: paying a visit to the horses and taking a ride in a real stagecoach, the famous Wells Fargo type coach that was delivering mail to the West and back in the late nineteenth – early twenties centuries.
This is the horse drawn vehicle that you probably saw in a hundred of Wild West movies. To me this stagecoach IS a time machine! From the moment you get inside you feel immediately transported 150 years back in time. It is an exhilarating ride that gives you a feel of history with a touch of Hollywood.
From the beginning to the end this family tour was accompanied by interesting historic facts and cool stories from Tom and Debbie’s professional exploits. It was a wonderful Wild West adventure with a time travel flare and I was a little sad when it ended and we had to go back to 2021.
But I am comforted by the fact that there is more to experience at Harris Stage Lines. They offer coach driving lessons, kids birthday parties and big group events, such as family reunions and corporate retreats. And if parents want to have a getaway from their kids they can rent Harris Stage Lines “Bunkhouse” for a night or two.
Watch the detailed video of our amazing Wild West adventures at Harris Stage Lines on our YouTube channel:
I added this wonderful Wild West adventure to my collection of the best Time Travel experiences from various parts of the country – check them out!
Things to know before visiting Harris Stage Lines
- Harris Stage Lines is located in Paso Robles, California.
- It a working ranch, so wear appropriate shoes (closed toes are best)
- The tour was about 1,5 hours in length
- For current pricing check Harris Stage Lines website
- Be mindful of the weather: late summer – early fall days in Paso Robles can be very hot. We did 9 am tour and it felt like it was a great timing.
- Have a sunhat and sunscreen with you as most of the tour is outdoors
Other things to do in the area
There are lots of interesting attractions and activities to do in Paso Robles proper and the nearby towns in San Luis Obispo County. Here are some great things to add to your California Central Coast itinerary:
Kid friendly wineries in Paso Robles
Things to do in Santa Margarita – Giving Tree Family Farm
Things to do with kids in San Luis Obispo County
If you found this information about our Wild West adventure at Harris Stage Lines family tour useful, please, share it with others as it may help them in their travel plans. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Instagram channel where we share lots of helpful tips and ideas about family travel in California and beyond.
Also check out our recent posts that may be of interest:
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