Trail Access Long Denied
Exploring Options for Access to the Los Padres National Forest from Goleta and Nearby Communities
Access to the Los Padres National Forest for county residents is severely limited between Highway 154 and Refugio Road. This 20-mile stretch, which spans the City of Goleta and surrounding areas, has long been inaccessible to the public. Community plans for the Gaviota Coast and the Goleta Valley have identified proposed trail routes that would allow residents to access the Los Padres National Forest for recreational activities. Some of these proposed routes were historically used, but access has been lost in modern times for various reasons that are not easily resolved. Other routes are still conceptual and would require willing property owners to grant trail easements across their land. Federal and state-owned property is the most promising option for short-term access.
To learn more, see the Story Map that profiles seven options for access above or near Goleta.