top of page

Statement Regarding Brand Hijacking

Statement by Bob Sweeney, Owner of Santa Barbara Beach Rides

We get it — it’s confusing. 😅
Two “Santa Barbara Beach Ride” businesses. Same name. Different experiences.
Here’s how to make sure you’re riding with the original, family-owned Santa Barbara Beach Rides:
✅ Book at SBBEACHRIDES.COM
✅ In business since 2007


We have a copycat… but we take that as a compliment! 😅

We look forward to riding the waves with you. 🐎🌊

​

p.s. If you'd like to read the full explanation of happenings, you can read it below.

Hit the
Back Arrow
to Close
this Window

Full Statement of Explanation

Santa Barbara Beach Rides was created in 2010 by Bob & Evie Sweeney. A lifelong member of the equine industry, Bob also owns Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides, a thriving 15-horse stable that takes visitors on horseback rides through wine country and the Santa Ynez River. When Santa Barbara Beach Rides was launched, Bob contracted with a father/son vendor in Summerland to take our guests on the rides.
​
This vendor also, by the way, started a second business, Summerland Beach Rides, in 2016, offering the exact same rides while simultaneously servicing our customers.
After loads of complaints and three lawsuits over safety, we mutually separated this summer and are now using our own experienced staff and horses.
​
Had they proceeded with their own “Summerland Beach Rides”, we would have no problem on our end, as there is plenty of room for all! Santa Barbara is wonderful that way.  Instead, this vendor decided to brand hijack our business name, create a new website under our same name (www.santabarbarabeachrides.com), launch their own Facebook and Instagram accounts under the same name, and use a working Gmail address associated with our previous shared booking calendar to access our Google Business Profile, where they replaced our web address with their new one in an attempt to appear as the original business. Unfortunately, the unethicality of this is unsurprising, and reflects one of many reasons we separated. 
​
TMI, we know. But we feel our customers deserve the truth when trying to navigate two “Santa Barbara Beach Rides” for the time being. 
​
We are sorry for this confusion as we attempt to navigate next steps (including legal action). You now have a choice in your beach rides experience, but we feel our customers deserve an explanation when trying to navigate the confusing landscape of two businesses with the same name. 
​
Regardless, we remain committed to providing our guests with the be-all, end-all bucket list experience of riding beautiful horses on beautiful beaches in one of the most incredible cities in the world: Santa Barbara. Nothing can take away from that mission. 
​
With gratitude for your trust,
Bob & Evie Sweeney & the staff of Santa Barbara Beach Rides
 
OUR WEBSITE: www.sbbeachrides.com 
BRAND HIJACKER WEBSITE: www.santabarbarabeachrides.com

bottom of page