If you think a 101 road trip is all about the beaches you are absolutely wrong.During my California road trip earlier this year I hiked the Lizard's Mouth Trail near Santa Barbara in the Los Padres National Forest.
Don't miss out on great opportunities a bit further in like the amazing hills and mountains of Santa Ynez!
A hike in the clouds
The Lizard's Mouth Trail offers sensational views and is definitely worth a stop. It is located between Santa Barbara and Los Olivos and it is pretty much what you make of it. The hike is super short - you hike around a quarter mile until you reach the sone outcroppings - but there are so many great things to see and do!
The mountains offer an amazing view of the surrounding area. You can explore the rocks, have a picnic, watch the sunset or enjoy the view of Goleta and the ocean. Due to the sandstones - one of them looking like a lizard's mouth, hence the name - this is a great spot for bouldering too!
How to get there
From the 101 take highway 154 (exit San Marcos Pass) and drive into the mountains until you reach West Camino Cielo where you can just follow the arrows. If you drive all the way to the end of West Camino Cielo, you reach Winchester Canyon Gun Club (don't be shocked if you hear gunfire). The entrance to the trail is about 100 yards before that.
No fee or permission is required so get out and enjoy.
What do you think about this hike? Is it something you would consider doing on your California road trip? Or do you have other great tips what to do around Santa Barbara? I would love to hear your opinion!
Kate recommends: A hike in the Santa Ynez mountains goes best with a copy of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The famous American author and Nobel Prize winner was born in Salinas, just a few hours north of Santa Barbara. In his book The Grapes of Wrath he not only describes the cruelty of the Great Depression, but also the beauty of California. The book won the National Book Award as well as the Pulitzer Price and is one of the "must reads" for everyone. So you might as well read it at the place of event (or just...you know...NOW).