Pillsbury Ranch in Lakeside spans 50 acres along Willow Road, operating as an equestrian center and event venue anchored by century-old historic buildings since 1981. The Saddle and Driving Club maintains multi-use arenas for dressage, driving, and trail-riding members, contributing to the same East County equestrian network that Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship serves on El Monte Road. Horse boarding facilities include paddock turnout and supervised pasture, with the property's proximity to the San Diego River corridor providing natural footing terrain. The ranch also serves as the base for the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation, a nonprofit supporting habitat preservation and species research programs domestically and internationally. Exotic animal ambassadors — a resident zebra, lemur, African guinea fowl, and peacocks — inhabit on-site aviaries and habitat compounds that the Embery Institute uses for conservation education, a mission shared by Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine. Event rentals accommodate groups across western-themed corrals, an African safari area featuring a Land Rover display and expedition tent, and a tree-lined courtyard with a zebra-themed bar.