5 BEST Things to Do at Gaviota State Park

Gaviota State Park is a 30-minute drive west of Santa Barbara, and has a picturesque setting along 5-miles of the Pacific Ocean. A railway trestle bridge stretches above a deep ravine, with a creek flowing out to the ocean.

The day use area at Gaviota State Park is near the parking lot, and has lots of picnic tables, a store and restrooms (check day use fees).

There's also a large, seasonal campground behind the parking lot, with fire-pits and tables (make a camping reservation).

Hiking at Gaviota State Park

I love visiting Gaviota State Park for some of the most amazing hikes in the Santa Ynez Mountains.

The best hike is to the 2,458 foot Gaviota Peak (6.5 mile roundtrip), with soaring views across the mountains to the glistening Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. I also enjoy the shorter hike to the famous Gaviota Wind Caves (3 mile roundtrip), where the wind has sculpted some beautiful sandstone caves.

Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails or the beach, but can be in the campground and day use area.

History

Gaviota is the Spanish word for seagull. It got its name after the Spanish Portola expedition in 1769, when a seagull was shot by a soldier.

For thousands of years the Chumash people lived here at the mouth of the Gaviota Creek, in a village known as Onomgio. However, they were then displaced during the Spanish occupation of Alta California, and the land became park of Rancho Refugio.

In 1858 the land was purchased by the Holster and Diblee families as a sheep ranch. An 1,000 foot pier was constructed in 1875 for the families to transport goods, but was destroyed by a storm in 1912.

5 best things to do at Gaviota State Park

1. Plan a beach day.

I enjoyed a pleasant afternoon at Gaviota State Park on the beach, packing a picnic lunch and sitting at one of the tables on the sand. It was amazing being so close to the ocean, right next to the crashing waves.

Unfortunately the pier is permanently closed due to storm damage. It has been closed since 2014, when a third of the pier collapsed into the ocean after being pounded by huge waves. It was once a popular fishing pier for surfperch, kelpfish, and bass.

2. Look up at Amtrak trains on the dramatic Gaviota Trestle Bridge.

This 80-foot bridge was built in 1900, to transport goods between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Amtrak trains pass by here everyday, speeding across this 811-foot wide span.

3. Purchase something at the store, usually only open on weekends.

The Gaviota Beach store sells bait, ice, groceries, and camp supplies. Check store hours.

4. Check out the stunning white shale cliffs.

These white shale cliffs are part of the six million year old Monterey Shale Formation. Oil is extracted from the fractures in this formation by utilizing fracking techniques.

5. Explore scenic trails to Gaviota Peak and the Gaviota Wind Caves.

Gaviota State Park is a 3,000 acre park, that also includes some of the rugged backcountry of the Santa Ynez Mountains. There are some popular but strenuous trails to Gaviota Peak and the Gaviota Wind Caves. Please check with Park Rangers before venturing out, and let them know your plans.

Gaviota Peak Trail is a 6.5 mile roundtrip with breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast and Channel Islands from the 2,458 foot high summit, and Gaviota Wind Caves Trail is a 3 mile roundtrip with a 400-foot elevation gain, leading to striking, sandstone caves sculpted by the elements, with distant water views.

Know before you go