Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SCENIC DRIVE: HIGHWAY 154 (SAN MARCOS PASS RD)
WHAT TO SEE
As Hwy 154 climbs from the coast, you'll leave oh-so civilized Santa Barbara behind and
enter the rugged Santa Ynez Mountains. You'll notice places where the hillsides have been
scarred by wildfires, but don't be alarmed: wildfires are part of the natural process of
forest birth and regrowth.
CHUMASH PAINTED CAVE STATE HISTORIC PARK
shelters pictographs painted by Chumash tribespeople over 400 years ago. The sand-
stone cave is now protected from graffiti and vandalism by a metal screen, so bring a
flashlight to get a good look. The turnoff to Painted Cave Rd is off Hwy 154 below San
Marcos Summit, about 6 miles from Hwy 101. The two-mile twisting side road to the site
is extremely narrow, rough and steep (no RVs). Look for a small signposted pull-off on
your left.
COLD SPRING TAVERN
coach Rd; mains breakfast & lunch $9-14, dinner $22-31; 11am-8:30pm Mon-Fri, from 8am Sat &
Sun) is an 1860s stagecoach stop that's still a popular watering hole. A rough-hewn plank
floor connects a warren of dimly lit rooms decorated with an odd assortment of Western
memorabilia. Call ahead to check if the barbecue grill is open, then order the Santa
Maria-style tri-tip barbecue sandwich. The tavern's signposted turnoff from Hwy 154 is
about a mile downhill beyond the mountain summit, then follow the signs for another 1.5
miles around the loop road.
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
200 miles from the Carmel Valley to the western edge of LA County. It's a giant play-
ground for hiking, camping, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Several scenic hiking trails lead off Paradise Rd, which crosses Hwy 154 north of San
Marcos Pass, over 10 miles from Hwy 101. On the 1-mile round-trip
Red Rock Pools Trail
,
the Santa Ynez River deeply pools among rocks and waterfalls, creating a swimming and
sunbathing spot; the trailhead is at the end of Paradise Rd.
