Welcome to Los Padres Forest

Los Padres Forest is a 2-million-are U.S. National Forest located along the California Central Coast, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey.

Exciting high adventure opportunities for exploring, boating, camping, hiking, watersports, weekend retreats and more.

The forest is divided between two noncontiguous areas. The northern division is within Monterey County and includes the beautiful Big Sur Coast and scenic interior areas. This is a very popular area for hiking, with 323 miles (520 km) of hiking trails and 11 campgrounds. This division also contains the Ventana Wilderness, home to the California Condor.

The "main division" of the forest includes lands within San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Kern Counties, with a small extension into Los Angeles County in the Pyramid Lake area, between Castaic and Gorman. Mountain ranges within the Los Padres include the Santa Lucia Mountains, La Panza Range, Caliente Range (a small part), Sierra Madre Mountains, San Rafael Mountains, Santa Ynez Mountains, and Topatopa Mountains; the highest parts of the forest are not within named mountain ranges, but are adjacent to the western San Emigdio Mountains and include Mount Pinos, Cerro Noroeste, and Reyes Peak. The forest is also adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, which is in Los Angeles County in Southern California and is nearby Carrizo Plain National Monument in eastern San Luis Obispo County. Forest headquarters are located in Goleta, California. There are local ranger district offices in Frazier Park, King City, Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria.

Several wilderness areas have been set aside within the Los Padres National Forest, including the San Rafael Wilderness, the first primitive area to be included in the U.S. wilderness system after the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. Another large wilderness created in the 1970s was the Ventana Wilderness in the Santa Lucia Mountains.

• Garcia Wilderness (14,100 acres (57 km2) in the Lucia District)
• Santa Lucia Wilderness (20,412 acres (83 km2) in the Lucia District, in the Santa Lucia Mountains)
• Machesna Mountain Wilderness (19,880 acres (80 km2), in the La Panza Range in San Luis Obispo County)
• Silver Peak Wilderness (31,555 acres (128 km2), in the Monterey District)
• Dick Smith Wilderness (64,800 acres (262 km2) in the Santa Barbara Ranger District)
• Chumash Wilderness (38,150 acres (154 km2) in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, just west of Mount Pinos)
• Sespe Wilderness (219,700 acres (889 km2), in both the Ojai and Mt. Pinos Ranger Districts)
• Matilija Wilderness (29,600 acres (120 km2) in the Ojai Ranger District)

Many threatened and endangered species live within the Forest. Probably most famous among them is the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). The American Peregrine Falcon is also entirely dependent on the Forest for its survival. The Mountain Lion and California Mule Deer may be the most common large mammals. Bighorn sheep inhabit the Sespe Creek region of the forest. American Black Bears browse on grasses, Berries, and carrion. Coyotes thrive everywhere in the forest. Bobcats can occasionally be seen in the more remote mountainous areas of the forest.


Los Padres Forest Vacation Home Rentals - Santa Barbara Big Selection
Santa Barbara Adventure Tour Guides - Los Padres Forest
Order Free Brochures Here - Over 100 Options
California Student Travel Discounts - Big savings on travel for students and under 26.

Travel along the famous Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Monterey Bay and you will find many secluded hideaways with very romantic settings.

Santa Barbara Encina Lodge Best Western Resort Hotel Location: West of downtown near City College
Stay at this American Riviera resort hotel and enjoy a host of convenient amenities while traveling. The Santa Barbara Encina Lodge Hotel is conveniently located with easy access to historic and lovely downtown Santa Barbara and a host of world-class golf courses. Acclaimed for its peaceful atmosphere, the hotel is within walking distance of the Queen of the Missions and adjacent to the Sansum Clinic and Cottage Hospital.

Hawaiian Island Getaway One of the most popular tourism destinations in the world is the Hawaiian Islands. Local attractions include touring royal palaces, miles of beautiful beaches and polynesian cultural entertainment venues.

Santa Barbara Hotel Group Reservations
Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates for Weddings

Los Padres Forest Vacation Home Rentals
Save up to 50% on select Vacation Rentals in the Santa Barbara Area

More Santa Barbara Resort Hotels:

.

Santa Barbara Coast Village Inn 1188 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108; Location: Eastern end of City Beach This vacation inn offers 28 guestroom suites, each one is carefully appointed. All rooms are non-smoking; some rooms have partial ocean views overlooking the village, and some have full kitchens or wet bars. Amenities include a heated pool, cable television with free HBO, and a complimentary continental breakfast at Peabody's, the on-site restaurant and bar. There are countless opportunities for sight-seeing and recreation.

Solvang Royal Scandinavian Inn 400 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93464; Enjoy the charm of cozy accomodations with all the luxuries of an elegant, full service hotel. Whether you are in the area to visit, shop or recreate, the Royal Scandinavian Inn will meet and exceed any expectation. The Inn offers meeting and banquet facilities as well as group event arrangements. Meadows Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Bar has live entertainment and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.

/table>

Santa Barbara Area Accommodations:
Downtown Ramada
Bacara Resort -
Coast Village -
Encina Lodge -
Fess Parker Doubletree Resort -
Harbor House Inn -
Peppertree Inn -
Quality Inn -

Solvang Area Accommodations:
Hadsten House
Holliday Inn
Kronborg Inn
Peterson Lodge
Royal Scandinavian
Wine Valley Inn

Santa Barbara Fess Parker Doubletree
An exceptional, luxury beach resort facing the Pacific Ocean near downtown Santa Barbara. This full service, 24-acre Spanish Colonial style hotel has something special for everyone - from tennis courts and basketball to shuffleboard and a putting green. Light and bright guestrooms, suites and executive accommodations feature serene mountain, garden or ocean views from terrace or balcony.

Pismo Beach Spyglass Inn Best Western Vacation Resort Location: PCH - nort of Pismo Beach
Set atop the oceanfront bluffs of Pismo Beach, The Spyglass Inn features a spectacular panorama of the mighty Pacific Ocean. Whether seeking adventure and romance or peace and tranquility, this stretch of California coastline offers a dramatic beauty that lures travelers from all over the world.

Popular Local Attractions
Highly recommended tourism venues in this area.

Day-Trip Adventures
Exiciting destinations less than two hours away:
Ventura County - Channel Islands / Los Padres Forest
Kern County - Bakersfield
Central Coast - San Luis Obispo / Pismo Beach / Morro Bay

Santa Barbara Adventure Tours
Explore the Golden State - (Keyword: Santa Barbara)

Channel Islands National Park
The islands are accessible only by aircraft or boat. But, the park visitors center is located on the mainland shore in Ventura. Designated as national parkland in 1980, The park consists of principally five islands: Anacapa, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Santa Cruz (largest) and Santa Rosa.

Tour Solvang California
Solvang is located 45 miles northwest of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley. Traditional style Danish architecture is very abundant here and turns Solvang into a Little Denmark. Enjoy windmills, gaslamps, cobblestone walks. There are over 300 shops that sell Danish goods, arts, crafts, home furnishings and genuine Dutch bakeries.

Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens
40 acre park with over 600 animals in naturalistic habitat and includes big cats, elelphants, gorillas, giraffes and more. Childrens playgrounds and miniature train. The landscaped grounds feature a terrific botanical exhibit.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
This 1782 Spanish military fortress isthe oldest building in Santa Barbara and the second oldest in California. Visitors can step back and view this historic site surrounded by modern buildings.

Mission Santa Barbara - Queen of the Missions
The 10th of the California Missions. This is one of the best preserved of the old Spanish Mission of California.

Palm Springs Marquis Villas Resort Hotel Location: So Calle Encilla;
Scenic views of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains and set right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, the Marquis Villas offers complete comfort and charm. Pass the day by the pool set in a beautiful garden courtyard, get a game of tennis, or a good workout at the resort's fitness facility.

Santa Barbara Festivals, Faires & Shows
Local Special Events:

Santa Maria Fairpark
---
Santa Barbara County Far - [July] - Pagents, attractions, concerts and competitive exhibitions.
Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival [Late-Apr] - go-kart racing and carnival rides

Santa Barbara Entertainment Book
Get Hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment attraction coupons for the Santa Barbara area.

MainTour Las Vegas - Preview over 80 of the biggest and brightest resorts on the Strip and related special features for adventure, recreation, entertainment, wedding packages and other great attractions.

Santa Barbara Region Restaurants

Oceano Dunes SVRA
Only state park where vehiciles drive onto the beach sand. Over 5.5 miles of beachfront for popular activities such as surfing, swimming, surf fishing, horseback riding, nature trails, camping and bird watching.

Santa Barbara Sports & Recreation


Sports & Athletics
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Festival Guide - Sports Events
Regional Golf Courses

Santa Barbara Boy Scouts
Outdoor Recreational Adventure Activities for Youth:

Shopping Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara Home Appliance Center
Take 10% Off home appliances - Use promo code HEATWAVE Sale Extended Through 7/24!

GPS Gear - MainTour Pro-Shop Special
Popular for Runners, Boaters, Hikers, Bikers and Adventurers
Recent technology updates have made readily affordable for outdoor adventures a nifty item - the GPS Watch. It uses 3D Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to triangulate your position and elevation to within 20 ft accuracy.

Palm Mountain Resort Hotel
Nestled at the heart of Palm Springs, California is the fabulous Palm Mountain Resort - a friendly, charming retreat at the foot of the snowcapped San Jacinto Mountains. Those mountains shelter the resort from the warm desert breezes and provide a striking backdrop to the hotel.

Los Padres Forest Churches:

LDS Church - LDS Stake
Catholic Church - Diocese

Los Padres Forest Civic Groups:

Santa Barbara Outdoors
Santa Barbara Tourism
Pacific Coast Highway Tour

Santa Barbara Harbor House Inn Location: Western end of City Beach
Take a vacation getaway to a fun, small and quiet Inn, renting rooms by the day, week or month. There are 10 guestrooms, all one-of-a-kind, furnished and decorated with many lovely antiques and collectibles. Rooms feature complete small kitchens with welcome breakfast basket, one queen size bed and private bathroom.