SBVC - EXPLORATORY Wind Caves Hike
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Where: Park on Hollister Ranch Road (the road to the right, before paid state park entrance), Gaviota, CA
Description: This hiking spot has been recommended to me and been wanting to go for a while. As the title explains, this is going to be an Exploratory Hike (I have never been here before, so it’s an adventure, sort of). I have stitched together info from a couple of hiking websites.
Elevation Gain: 492 ft./ Length: 2 mi.
“This is a semi-strenuous but short out and back hike. The trail begins by following an old road along Gaviota creek moving inland. This part is mostly flat with lots of riparian birds. As you head towards the hills, you can see the final destination as a series of holes in the sandstone outcroppings ahead. After about 3/4 of a mile you will start the ascending switchback, which is very well-maintained. Continue along the ridgeline and you'll come to the first wind cave. Cross through the wind cave and the trail gets much steeper with a couple of switch backs until you reach the bottom of the second cave. There is a trail to your left, or you can scramble straight up. The views from the top are beautiful.”-All Trails
<< https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/gaviota-wind-caves-trail >>
“To get to the trailhead: From Santa Barbara, travel west for 30 miles on Highway 101. Take the Gaviota Beach Road Exit (sign reads Gaviota State Beach), which is just before the rest area and the Gaviota Tunnel en route to Los Olivos. Drive down Gaviota Beach Road and bear right past the park entrance onto Hollister Ranch Road, which goes up the hill to the right. Almost immediately, the road turns to the right and there are gravel turnouts on both sides of the road. Park here. The trailhead is on the right next to a mountain lion warning sign.
Trailhead coordinates: 34.47172, -120.2297 (34° 28′ 18.2″N 120° 13′ 46.9″W)”- HikesPeak
<< https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/gaviota-wind-caves/ >>
After hiking, we can get lunch at the historic Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant in Buellton @1230.
376 Avenue of the Flags, Buellton, CA 93427
<< http://www.peasoupandersens.net/mobile/historyBuellton.html >>
What to Bring: Good hiking shoes, Sunscreen, beverage, and hat.
PS If you do not want to hike that day but want to brunch, please feel free to join us at Andersen’s @1230 instead. Also, let me know as well to get a head count for reservation.
Email: [email protected]; TXT: 8057095379
**Photos are courtesy of HikesPeak.com. I do NOT own these photos. Only used for demonstrative purposes only**
