Little Ridge Ranch Guidebook to the Area Around Williston
Swimming and Diving Locations
Great place for snorkeling or Scuba. Like most springs in North Central Florida the water is 72 degrees year round! Due to Covid reservations may be required, call first!
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Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
5390 NE 180th AveGreat place for snorkeling or Scuba. Like most springs in North Central Florida the water is 72 degrees year round! Due to Covid reservations may be required, call first!
World recognized location for Scuba Divers (Scuba only) It is right here in Williston and only a few minutes from Little Ridge Ranch.
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Blue Grotto Dive Resort
3852 NE 172 CtWorld recognized location for Scuba Divers (Scuba only) It is right here in Williston and only a few minutes from Little Ridge Ranch.
This is the place we rent from when we tube or kayak down the rainbow river. You can park there and they provide whatever type of kayak or paddle board you want to rent then their shuttle that takes you upstream to KP Hole to launch. It is a 4 mile route down the river and takes about 2 hours or so depending on how you paddle. You end up at Blue Run Park where they pick you up and take you back to your car. Very fun, great views and nature. As with most springs in North Central Florida the water is about 72 degrees year round. Great for a hot summer day!
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Rainbow River Kayak Adventures
11463 N Williams StThis is the place we rent from when we tube or kayak down the rainbow river. You can park there and they provide whatever type of kayak or paddle board you want to rent then their shuttle that takes you upstream to KP Hole to launch. It is a 4 mile route down the river and takes about 2 hours or so depending on how you paddle. You end up at Blue Run Park where they pick you up and take you back to your car. Very fun, great views and nature. As with most springs in North Central Florida the water is about 72 degrees year round. Great for a hot summer day!
Blue Springs Park is in Bronson and is not far from Little Ridge Ranch and is a great spot for swimming and cooling off on a hot afternoon.
Blue Springs Park
4550 NE 94 PlBlue Springs Park is in Bronson and is not far from Little Ridge Ranch and is a great spot for swimming and cooling off on a hot afternoon.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico. This is the closest sand beach to Little Ridge Ranch. It is about an hour away.
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Isahluko seFishin Pier seFort Island Gulf Beach
16000 W Fort Island TrailLocated on the Gulf of Mexico. This is the closest sand beach to Little Ridge Ranch. It is about an hour away.
Grocery Stores
There are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
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Winn-Dixie
300 SW 16th AveThere are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
There are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
Hitchcock's Market
434 E Noble AveThere are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
The closest Publix is 15 miles from Little Ridge on the Southwest edge of Gainesville. It is a very nice drive.
Publix Super Market at Williston Plaza
5200 SW 34th StThe closest Publix is 15 miles from Little Ridge on the Southwest edge of Gainesville. It is a very nice drive.
We recently found out that with an Amazon Prime membership and $35 minimum Whole Foods delivers to us here in Williston for free! Order online and they deliver within 2 hours.
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Whole Foods Market
3490 SW Archer RdWe recently found out that with an Amazon Prime membership and $35 minimum Whole Foods delivers to us here in Williston for free! Order online and they deliver within 2 hours.
Food scene
Traditional Southern Cooking in a beautiful Historic House right here in Williston.
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The Ivy House Restaurant
106 NW Main StTraditional Southern Cooking in a beautiful Historic House right here in Williston.
The place in Williston for Farm to Table meal, love the breakfasts here but lunch and dinner are great too. One of our favorites is the chicken salad with the special combination of dressing (I think it is balsamic with Blue Cheese?)
Sister's Place
20 NE 3rd StThe place in Williston for Farm to Table meal, love the breakfasts here but lunch and dinner are great too. One of our favorites is the chicken salad with the special combination of dressing (I think it is balsamic with Blue Cheese?)
When we first came to Williston we passed by this place thinking it probably wouldn't be good or authentic. We were wrong. Great food, nice decor and the only full bar in town!
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SHO GUN Japanese Restaurant
143 W Noble AveWhen we first came to Williston we passed by this place thinking it probably wouldn't be good or authentic. We were wrong. Great food, nice decor and the only full bar in town!
This is the first restaurant we ate at when we first visited in Ocala. Good food, casual place, entertainment/karaoke depending on the night. If you sit at the bar you WILL be sitting next to someone in the horse industry, trainer, broker, horse dentist, horse swimming pool supplier, you name it. It is about 17 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch and close to HITS and the World Equestrian Center.
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Horse & Hounds Restaurant
6998 US-27This is the first restaurant we ate at when we first visited in Ocala. Good food, casual place, entertainment/karaoke depending on the night. If you sit at the bar you WILL be sitting next to someone in the horse industry, trainer, broker, horse dentist, horse swimming pool supplier, you name it. It is about 17 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch and close to HITS and the World Equestrian Center.
Definitely our favorite go to restaurant. They have locations in both Gainesvile and Ocala. The Redfish Alexandria or the Andouille Crusted Grouper are our favorites... Nice atmosphere and service.
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Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
110 SE 1 StDefinitely our favorite go to restaurant. They have locations in both Gainesvile and Ocala. The Redfish Alexandria or the Andouille Crusted Grouper are our favorites... Nice atmosphere and service.
Cedar Key was and still is to some degree a fishing village. Now they have many seafood restaurants and shops to visit. Dog friendly beach (sand on shore but kind of mucky out further) Nice to visit, about an hour from Little Ridge Ranch.
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Cedar Key
Cedar Key was and still is to some degree a fishing village. Now they have many seafood restaurants and shops to visit. Dog friendly beach (sand on shore but kind of mucky out further) Nice to visit, about an hour from Little Ridge Ranch.
Horse Related Activites
Whether you want to do a farm tour, watch competitions or go trail riding these are some ideas!
We have been to Orange Blossom several times. They are located adjacent to Goethe State Forest and they can take you into the forest for riding. Sandy is a great teacher and wonderful guide with a lot of information to share.
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Orange Blossom Trail Rides
10010 SE 125th CtWe have been to Orange Blossom several times. They are located adjacent to Goethe State Forest and they can take you into the forest for riding. Sandy is a great teacher and wonderful guide with a lot of information to share.
Cactus Jacks is The State of Florida designated horseback riding provider for The Cross Florida Green Way “
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Cactus Jack's Trail Rides
11100 SW 16th AveCactus Jacks is The State of Florida designated horseback riding provider for The Cross Florida Green Way “
The Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
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Canyons Zip Line ne Adventure Park
8045 NW Gainesville RdThe Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
They say that World Equestrian Center has invested almost 1 Billion Dollars in the Ocala area. Nice to visit, expensive to stay there. Little Ridge Ranch may be your better option!
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World Equestrian Center
1750 Northwest 80th AvenueThey say that World Equestrian Center has invested almost 1 Billion Dollars in the Ocala area. Nice to visit, expensive to stay there. Little Ridge Ranch may be your better option!
HITS (Horses In The Sun) showgrounds provide world class competition for most things equestrian. Especially from end of December thru end of March. Check website for schedule. Little Ridge Ranch is about 10 minutes from HITS.
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HITS Post Time Farm
13710 Old Blitchton RdHITS (Horses In The Sun) showgrounds provide world class competition for most things equestrian. Especially from end of December thru end of March. Check website for schedule. Little Ridge Ranch is about 10 minutes from HITS.
Tour the Gypsy Vanner farm and learn about these beautiful horses and their history.
Royal Gypsy Vanner Ranch
9250 NW 145th Avenue RdTour the Gypsy Vanner farm and learn about these beautiful horses and their history.
Things to Do
The Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
137 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Canyons Zip Line ne Adventure Park
8045 NW Gainesville RdThe Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
Only about 30 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a Florida State Park and historic site located on the former homestead of Pulitzer Prize-winning Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. (The Yearling Novel Also a Movie) A National Historic Landmark, it is located in Cross Creek, Florida, between Ocala and Gainesville at 18700 South County Road 325. Dog Friendly.
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Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
County Road 325Only about 30 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a Florida State Park and historic site located on the former homestead of Pulitzer Prize-winning Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. (The Yearling Novel Also a Movie) A National Historic Landmark, it is located in Cross Creek, Florida, between Ocala and Gainesville at 18700 South County Road 325. Dog Friendly.
Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals.
The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allows one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views.
Fishing and canoeing on Lake Wauberg is popular along with a shaded campground. During a visit to Paynes Prairie, one can easily understand why Seminole Indians once occupied a village along this vast savannah.
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I-State Park ye-Paynes Prairie Preserve
100 Savannah BlvdPaynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals.
The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allows one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views.
Fishing and canoeing on Lake Wauberg is popular along with a shaded campground. During a visit to Paynes Prairie, one can easily understand why Seminole Indians once occupied a village along this vast savannah.
This is a great venue. You pick blueberries and peaches. Music on the weekends but call or check their website, they are closed in the winter.
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Red, White and Blues Farm
3250 NE 140th AveThis is a great venue. You pick blueberries and peaches. Music on the weekends but call or check their website, they are closed in the winter.
Sightseeing
Close to Devil's Den, Cedar Lakes is a really nice place to visit, the drive in alone will be a new and exciting experience for some. You might want to pack a lunch and bring your walking shoes so you can explore the nature trails, great views, shady paths and the flowering trees and waterfalls. The are dog friendly but they ask that you call to give them a heads up first
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Cedar Lakes Woods nezihlahla
4990 NE 180th AveClose to Devil's Den, Cedar Lakes is a really nice place to visit, the drive in alone will be a new and exciting experience for some. You might want to pack a lunch and bring your walking shoes so you can explore the nature trails, great views, shady paths and the flowering trees and waterfalls. The are dog friendly but they ask that you call to give them a heads up first