More photos from Santa Barbara >>
Driving up from L.A. was pretty awesome as far as scenery. The coastline on the West Coast is so different than Florida’s coastline. Huge Mountains going right to the edge, big rock islands and ocean cliffs just inspire me.
The only drawback to the mountainous terrain is…the mountainous terrain. Just because we are in a motor home and it is rough going up and over mountain passes. The pass we had to climb over from Santa Barbara was pretty big for us, we took the car off this time and the hill was not so bad. The RV park we were going to, Thousand Trails Rancho Oso preserve, was set far back into the valley, we thought “Where the hell are we going” as we winded up and through valley hills until 20 miles later we reached the park. It was a gorgeous site descending down to the park overlooking the sprawling horse pastures that made up the Horse Ranch attached to the park.
We were surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Los Padres National Forest. I was so excited to get out and explore them. Our first experience in the forest was hiking to a waterfall near the park. The trail was great and the waterfall was small but beautiful as it cascade over granite rock boulders. The wildlife was abundant, ground squirrels, coyotes, wild turkeys, deer and a lot more. The puggles were crazy with their hunting instincts taking over. Walking them became a chore as they were just tugging and tugging trying to get at a squirrel or rabbit. It worked as doggie TV as they sat for hours just staring out the windows watching the squirrels dart from hole to hole.
The second experience in the forest was one we will never forget. We decided to participate in a three hour trail ride on horseback to the top of a ridgeline across the valley. It was so incredible to be riding these horses through rivers and up narrow cliff trails. The switchbacks both terrified and electrified my spirit. We were both in heaven, it was almost like a dream. It was so beautiful at the top. I took photos but photos do not do justice to the large expanse of beauty we saw before us. The ride down was just as great. I did want it to end. Once back at the ranch we tried to get the horses to gallop but Sharon’s got spooked and almost bucked her off. It scared the crap out me, I cannot believe she held on! We were exhausted after the ride, we had no idea horseback riding would take so much out of us. We would like to formally thank our guide Lisa for a wonderful trip! You made it awesome.
The following day I set out to take on the mountains on my bike. I scoped out a trail to ride that sounded great. The Cameusa connector trail was its name. It was a pretty brutal uphill that seemed to keep going up and up, getting steeper and steeper. The trail guide claimed 2 miles but it was closer to three. Once I got to the connector trail it was all singletrack from there. It had a little of everything that makes mountain biking fun, tight twisty singletrack that just flows and flows with downhills and uphills mixed in for technical and aerobic challenges. I was once again in heaven. This may have been the best trail I have ever ridden!
Santa Barbara was a place that if Sharon and I could afford it (which we probably never will) would love to call home. It had it all, sunny warm weather, mountains and beaches. It had abundant culture, great restaurants and beautiful aesthetics. The brewpub in town however turned out to be average, the beer was alright but nothing spectacular. And we never made it to a dogpark :(
Santa Ynez was quaint small town with a lot of personality. We ate a good yet very overpriced Italian place and got a good, yet once again, over priced beer brewed by Firestone. I guess they did not already have enough money they decided to produce beer also. Their double pale ale is a good beer though. We were disappointed because we could not locate the Cold Spring Tavern that night.
NOTE: Either carry a map or reference one before you explore a place you have never been.
Rancho Oso was a great Thousand Trails Preserve that was very apparent the staff there took great pride in keeping nice. If in the area it is a must go-to-preserve.