Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, Santa Barbara, Calif., is an ideal vacation destination. Tucked into the southwestern tip of the Los Padres National Forest and just 33 miles west of Santa Barbara, Gaviota State Park is perfect for hiking, biking and taking in stunning views of land and sea.
U.S. Highway 101 bisects the park, allowing for easy access by car. Hiking here is more refreshing and challenging than the more popular Santa Barbara hikes to Seven Falls and Inspiration Point, as Gaviota State Park is isolated from the city, and yet not too far from it.
There are as many as eight different hiking trails in the park, including ones that lead to the wind-crafted Gaviota Wind Caves and Gaviota Hot Springs. But the 6.5-mile Gaviota Peak Trail takes trekkers to a 2,461-foot summit in the Santa Ynez Mountains, with gorgeous 360-degree views of towering hills and the Pacific as far as the eye can see.
As a not-so-avid hiker, I found this loop trail moderately challenging. The climb up to the peak is considerably more difficult than the descent, thanks to rocky terrain and at times almost vertical inclines. But deep in the mountains, the absence of urban sounds was remarkable — I never heard a car passing or a construction crane. Instead: silence, accompanied only by footsteps on dirt, trees rustling and the occasional bird chirp. Mesmerizing views at the top made me forget the soreness in my legs and feet and helped me enjoy being the closest to nature I had been in a long time.
Pro tip: Bring a light jacket, even on sunny days, as the breeze can get quite cool this close to the coast.
The Details
Gaviota State Park
www.parks.ca.gov
