Trail Highlights
Ellwood Mesa is part of the 652-acre Ellwood-Devereux Open Space, a vast network of trails and protected natural areas spanning UCSB’s North and West Campuses, the Coal Oil Point Reserve, the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, and the City of Goleta’s Ellwood Mesa and Sperling Open Space. This integrated trail system connects Isla Vista, UCSB, and the surrounding community, making it a popular recreational destination for hikers, trail runners, cyclists, and nature lovers.
One of the most notable features of the Ellwood Mesa is its Monarch Butterfly Preserve, where thousands of monarch butterflies gather in the eucalyptus groves during their winter migration. Visitors from across the region come to witness this stunning natural event. The mesa also provides sweeping ocean views, open coastal grasslands, and direct beach access through informal canyon trails.
Trail Description
The Ellwood Mesa trail system consists of unimproved dirt trails and former roads that wind through environmentally sensitive habitats, linking the coastal bluffs, wetlands, and Devereux Creek. While these trails offer scenic and serene access to nature, they are also subject to seasonal flooding, erosion, and the encroachment of non-native vegetation. Many of the beach access trails descend steep, unstable bluffs that contribute to ongoing erosion issues.
During the rainy season, certain sections may become impassable due to ponding, causing hikers to create unofficial detours that can impact the surrounding environment. Additionally, some trails cross eroded gullies and sensitive wetland areas, requiring careful navigation. Restoration efforts are underway to improve trail sustainability, control erosion, and manage invasive species that threaten native habitats.
Despite these challenges, the Ellwood Mesa trails remain a cherished open space, offering diverse recreational opportunities and access to one of the largest publicly owned coastal preserves in Santa Barbara County.
Directions
The main access point for the Ellwood Mesa Trails is located in Goleta, California. From Highway 101, take the Glen Annie/Storke Road exit and head south toward the ocean. Turn right on Hollister Avenue and continue for about 1.5 miles before turning left on Santa Barbara Shores Drive. The trailhead and parking area are at the end of the road.
For additional access, visitors can also enter from UCSB’s West Campus, the Coal Oil Point Reserve, or the Coronado Butterfly Preserve.