Goleta - Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest, lying west and east of the CA 33 and U.S. 5 highways and east of Santa Barbara, covers a total area of 1,875,000 acres/750,000 hectares, and rises in places to a height of 8,860ft/2,700m. Within its boundaries are several wild parks, such as Ventana, San Rafael and Santa Lucia, as well as two areas where the condor is a protected species.

This largely unspoiled wilderness admittedly with few trails suitable for walks, is served mainly by unmade-up roads, and possesses no visitor center or information offices of any kind. Originally created as long ago as 1903, the area has been extended several times, finally reaching its present official boundaries in 1936. In that same year it received its name, in memory of the Franciscan monk who set up eight mission stations in the immediate surroundings.