Santa Barbara County - Coastal California - page 792

Stop at the ranger station ( GOOGLE MAP ; 805-967-3481; 3505 Paradise Rd;
8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, also 8am-4:30pm Sat late May-early Sep) for posted trail maps and inform-
ation and a National Forest Adventure Pass (per day $5), which is required for parking
(unlesss you have an 'America the Beautiful' Annual Pass ( 888-275-8747; ht-
tp://store.usgs.gov/pass ; pass $80)). Family-friendly campgrounds ( 877-444-6777;
www.recreation.gov ; campsites $19-35) with drinking water, flush toilets and both first-come,
first-served and reservable sites are along Paradise Rd.
CACHUMA LAKE RECREATION AREA
This county-run park ( GOOGLE MAP ; cruise reservations 805-686-5050/5055;
www.countyofsb.org/parks ; admission per vehicle $10, 2hr cruise adult/4-12yr $15/7; open daily,
seasonal hr vary; ) is a haven for anglers and boaters, with wildlife-watching cruises
offered year-round. There's also a child-friendly nature center ( GOOGLE MAP ;
805-693-0691; www.clnaturecenter.org ; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, to 2pm Sun; ) and a large camp-
ground with hot showers. First-come, first-served sites fill quickly; book ahead on week-
ends or for ecofriendly yurts.
THE ROUTE
From Hwy 101 west of downtown Santa Barbara, Hwy 154 (San Marcos Pass Rd) heads
northwest, winding up through the Los Padres National Forest and passing Cachuma
Lake. Beyond the Hwy 246 turnoff west to Solvang, Hwy 154 bisects the Santa Ynez Val-
ley before rejoining Hwy 101 past Los Olivos.
TIME & MILEAGE
It's 35 miles from downtown Santa Barbara to Los Olivos, taking 40 minutes without
stops or traffic jams. Returning to Santa Barbara, it's under an hour's trip via Hwy 101.