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Arroyo Hondo Historic Adobe The earliest known inhabitants of Arroyo Hondo are from the Barbareno-Chumash civilization 5,000 years ago. Evidence of a permanent Chumash camp has been discovered buried deep in the lower canyon. Rancho Arroyo Hondo was part of the original 26,530-acre Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mexican land grant to former Santa Barbara Presidio Commandant Jose Francisco Ortega Read more...
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El Capitan State Beach Campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings with high metal sides, flush toilets, pay showers, potable water, and a general store. The most appealing amenity of course is the beach, where you can swim, surf, fish, play in the sand, and walk along the shore. For those who are not camping overnight, there is a day use Read more...
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Arroyo Hondo Preserve Called the “Jewel of the Gaviota Coast,” the 782-acre Arroyo Hondo Preserve is a magnificent canyon located west of Santa Barbara between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park. The old ranch is rich in early California history and has an abundance of outstanding natural features.Within its steep canyon walls is a hidden place of extraordinary beauty Read more...
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Nojoqui Falls Trail More information coming soon Learn More → Article by James Wapotich at Songs of the Wilderness Article by Seth Smigelski at Hikespeak.com Read more...
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Las Cruces Trail Head Las Cruces Fire Road Trail The trail system here begins on the Las Cruces Fire Road Trail. If you follow the road uphill it will connect to the Hollister Ridge Fire Road Trail. You can also access the Yucca and Ortega trails at the lower end of this road. NEARBY TRAILS → Yucca Trail Yucca Trail Read more...
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Gaviota Peak Trail Head Gaviota Peak Trail The hike to Gaviota Peak is a challenging 3 mile uphill climb with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands at the summit. The trail is actually a fire-road which can be followed back down for a return trip, or you can make a loop by hiking over the peak Read more...
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Aniso Trail The trail is actually a undulating paved bike path that follows the scenic Gaviota Coast line for the 2.5 mile stretch between El Capitan beach and Refugio beach. A segment of the trail is technically closed due to storm damage. Trail can be accessed from either of the State Beaches. Fees for day passes apply to those who park Read more...
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El Capitan Nature Trail Learn More → Article by Seth Smigelski on Hikespeak.com Read more...
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Bill Wallace Trail [ June 2016: The State Park lands that flank the Bill Wallace Trail have been burned extensively. Contact State Parks for a trail status update. ] The Bill Wallace Trail is in a 2500 acre section of the El Capitan State Beach that is north of Hwy 101. The hike is about 12 miles round trip and Read more...
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Baron Ranch Trails From the main Baron Ranch gate, follow the entrance road into the canyon that forms the Arroyo Quemado Creek watershed. The trail is well-marked and follows a network of ranch roads leading through a habitat restoration area and into the backcountry. The main trail is Arroyo Quemado Trail which begins at Calle Real and ends at Camino Read more...