A weekend with fair weather and a couple days off of work prompted my girlfriend and I to head north to explore the famed Gaviota Peak and its hot spring. While the spring may have been rather tepid, the hike was refreshing and the view gorgeous.
The trail head is a short 30-minute drive north of downtown Santa Barbara on US 101. While this drive may seem like a stretch compared to the proximity of Seven Falls or other local hikes, it is well worth it. Not only is the hike beautiful, but the drive along the coast is too.
After passing through the tunnel in Gaviota, you will exit the freeway at the “Highway 1/Vandenberg Air Force Base” exit. Once you exit, take a hard right turn at the top of the ramp so that you are going the opposite direction — parallel to the freeway. Within a half mile the road dead-ends and you are at the trailhead.
The trailhead and a small informational sign are to the left of where you drove in. It is important to grab a parking slip and deposit money here. Also, remember to put the other half on your dashboard to avoid a ticket.
The day we headed up the trail started out rather cool, and with a surprisingly large amount of cars in the parking area. Yet, with the exception of a group returning from the peak we barely saw anyone the whole day. No matter how full the parking lot is, the size of the trail and options available leave it feeling rather un-crowded and remote.
Many people choose to hike either to the peak or visit the hot spring. We opted instead to visit both. The hot spring is an easy one-mile round trip hike. It is perfect for a quick escape, or to take a youngster who can’t make long trips yet. The peak, on the other hand, is a little over three miles of constant uphill to the top.
We hiked first to the peak and then stopped at the hot spring for a little R&R before the drive back to Goleta.
Shortly after beginning the hike you will come to a fork in the road, and it is important to stay to the left. Going to the right can lead you to the peak but the trail is not very clear, and it is impossible to get to the hot springs.
Not far past this initial fork there is a small trail on the right with a sign indicating the way to the hot springs. If the springs are your final destination, turn up the trail and you will find the springs within a few hundred yards. These are not as hot as other local springs, like Big Caliente, but they are still very nice. Also, these are richer in sulfur so the water carries a blue-grey tinge, and a bit of an odor.
If you do not wish to visit the hot springs right away, continue up the main trail. It is well established and does not offer any particular challenges aside from its unrelenting uphill slope. With this gain in elevation comes a succession of ever more beautiful vistas which, depending on time of year, can yield stunning views of wildflowers in bloom.
Once you near the top, you will reach a distinct “T” in the trail. Head right and less than a quarter-mile away is the peak. There are plenty of nice rocks to take a seat on and enjoy the view while resting your weary muscles.
Keep your eye out for the large stainless steel can at the top of the hill. There should be a couple notebooks inside which you can log your trip in. I found it entertaining to read comments left by others while enjoying my lunch and basking in the sun.
During our time on the trail we were not privileged enough to run into any animals, but the view of the Channel Islands was amazing. The lack of haze made for crystal clear views of Anacapa to the south and San Miguel in the north; not only that, but the variety of wildflowers was stunning.
After taking a rest, remember to gather up any and all trash and start heading down the way you came. This is a much faster journey then the way up, and you are continuously rewarded with views of the valley below.
If you still want to visit the hot spring, keep your eyes open out for the trail branching off from your left. Like I said, there will be a sign marking it, so it should be hard to miss.
Gaviota Peak, with its removal from downtown Santa Barbara, offers a nice alternative to the sometimes-crowded downtown trails. Not only that, but it also gives you the chance to explore a different corner of our diverse lands. So, next time you have a day off, pack a lunch and go give it a shot.
Chuck Melber can be reached at [email protected]
