サンタイネズ山脈の天然記念物・トップ13

Tar Pits Park features some of the few natural asphalt lakes in the world. These tar pits, formed by ancient petroleum seepage, date back to the Pleistocene epoch and have preserved fossils of prehistoric creatures. Historically, the Chumash people used tar to waterproof their boats and tools. The park has been preserved and restored to its natural state, with a great path that winds throughout the grounds, popular for hiking and biking. There are several picnic tables, plenty of benches with fantastic views, a harbor seal sanctuary, and a lovely stretch of beach. Tar seeps out of the ground along the trail, beach, on the bluffs, and throughout the park and can get on your shoes. It's a good idea to bring footwear that you don't mind getting dirty when you come to explore this beautiful area.

Known locally as Tangerine Falls (but also known as West Fork Cold Springs Falls), this "local Santa Barbara only" waterfall required quite an adventure for us. The hike wasn't really that well marked (at least for the waterfall) and we had to be prepared to do some pretty rough crawling, especially toward the end of the hike where the crawling was almost vertical.

Gaviota Peak sits at the lofty west end of the Santa Ynez Mountains behind Santa Barbara. Being a 2,458-foot peak and being just two miles from the Pacific Ocean is a sure remedy for eye popping views, which it has in abudance.

Historic pier at the beach at the moth of the Canada de la Gaviota. The campground has hiker/biker sites for $10 and coin-operated showers.

Red Rock Pools are natural pools located in a crescent bend of Santa Ynez River. The giant rock formations, close to the river and surrounded by forest, make this place a unique spot in this area. During the rainy season, the pools are deep enough to jump from the rocks, and during summer the pools can be very crowded.

Saddle Rock Trail is a good option for those who want to have a nice viewpoint of the Santa Barbara coastline, with a solid uphill climb, but not as demanding as other trails around. The rock formation at the top, combined with the views, makes it even more interesting.

Tangerine Falls is considered a difficult hike because once you get close to the falls, you have to climb a steep incline. Be prepared to scramble rocks, and bring appropriate shoes, since the terrain can be wet and slippery. This trail is not recommended for beginners. The falls are tall and very beautiful, and from the top you have views of the Pacific Ocean, which makes this hike even more special.

At the top of the Montecito foothills sits Montecito Hot Springs, a natural hot springs with 5 pools ranging from very hot to more manageable. To be more comfortable in the springs it’s better to go in winter or in fall/spring, as the temperature will be more agreeable. This is also a popular spot and can be busy depending on the time of day, and is also frequented by night. Close to the springs, there are some view points where you have sweeping views out and over the ocean.