Coastal Carrizo Adventure Trail
- OTG Crew
- Apr 25
- 7 min read
Updated: May 22
With its winding roads, rugged trails, and sweeping climbs through the coastal mountains, the Coastal Carrizo Adventure Trail delivers unforgettable views at every turn. Beyond the scenery, the wildflower blooms of Carrizo Plain create a surreal experience during years of above-average rainfall. This 280 mile track offers a true adventure for those seeking both beauty and rugged trails.
Route Overview
Trip Length & Season
Adventure Rating: Epic Trip Length: 280 miles, 2.5-5 days Season: The best times to visit are in spring when the wildflowers are blooming, or in Fall. Summer travel is possible but Carrizo plain can get very hot during the warm season. It's best to avoid Carrizo Plain during or after heavy rain. West Camino Cielo and Sierra Madre Road (Los Padres NF) may be gated after heavy rain events.
>> Check Hike Los Padres for gate info.
Digital Maps & GPX Files
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Technical Ratings & Terrain
Avg Technical Rating: 2
Peak Technical Rating: 4
Typical Terrain: The route is approximately 50% dirt and 50% pavement. Expect some bumpier roads with rocks and erosion on Camino Cielo Road (above Santa Barbara), Sierrra Madre Road (Los Padres NF), and the roads and trails through the hills in Carrizo Plain National Monument. Tremblor Ridge features the most "challenging" terrain along the route with numerous steep hills, exposure, ruts, and off camber sections.
Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans
Recommended Vehicle: Stock 4x4
Recommended Moto: A mid-weight bike is recommended given the amount of moderate terrain. Event with a mid-weight bike, Tremblor Ridge may be challenge with its numerous steep and loose hill climbs and descents.
Adventure Vans: Sprinters and Transit vans (AWD & 4x4 only) should be able to do the majority of this track. We recommend skipping the out-and-back beyond Bates Canyon Road to McPherson Peak. There are some off camber sections that may give novice van drivers issues within the southeast hills of Carrizo Plain. Sprinters and Transits are advised to skip all of Tremblor Ridge.
Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear
Fuel: From Refugio State Beach to Santa Ynez is 55 mi, from Santa Ynez to New Cuyama is 140 mi. There are two ways to finish the route, from New Cuyama to Santa Margarita is 155 mi, while New Cuyama to I-5 via highway 58) is 145 mi. Provisions: Provisions can be obtained in the same general vicinity as fuel. Gear: no specialized gear is recommended for this adventure.
Alternative Routes
Rock Front Ranch loop
Distance: 27 miles miles
Technical Rating: 3 The Rock Front Ranch Loops provides a fun opportunity to explore the dirt roads and trails within the Rock front Ranch OHV area. Expect oak woodlands mixed in with som interesting rock formations along the way, but be on the lookout for motos and other OHV users.
Camping Recommendations
Keep in mind that this route passes through significant portions of privately held land where dispersed camping is not permitted. However, dispersed camping is generally permitted within Los Padres National Forest and large portions of Carrizo Plain National Monument (no camping in the flat, plains sections of the National Monument). More info on dispersed camping regulations within Carrizo Plain can be found HERE.
Some of our favorite places to camp along the route include:
Along West Camino Cielo Road
Figueroa Mountain vicinity
Bates Canyon campground
Aliso Campground (fee)
Carrizo Plain (southeast end of the monument)
KCL Campground (during the week)
Discovery Points
Refugio State Beach
West Camino Cielo Road
Broadcast Peak
Jonathan Garcia Memorial
Lizard's Mouth Rock
Lake Cachuma
Figueroa Peak
Los Olivos
Sierra Madre Road
Peak Mountain
McPherson Peak
Bates Canyon Road
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Songdog Ranch Viewpoint
Van Matre Ranch
Traver Ranch
Tremblor Ridge
Caliente Ridge
Painted Rock (requires reservation)
Goodwin Education Center
Soda Lake
Land Managers & Other Resources
Permits & Papers
Permits In order to visit Painted Rock within Carrizo Plain, you will need to make reservations on Recreation.gov
Adventure Badge OTG has partnered with All Roads Taken to offer an adventure badge for this route. >>Buy your adventure badge today!
Route Details
The Coastal Carrizo Trail might as well be called the Sea to Sky Overland Trail, given that it starts at the edge of the continent and climbs high into the coast ranges. One thing is certain along this track—you’re guaranteed to be blown away by the views as you climb into the coastal mountains. Whether it’s the coastline of the California Riviera, the rugged mountains, or the rolling hills and canyons of the Carrizo Plain, the Coastal Carrizo Adventure Trail delivers in spades.
We begin our adventure along the coast at Refugio State Beach (discovery point), where the route quickly ascends into the coastal range via West Camino Cielo Road (discovery point). It’s rather mind-blowing that such an incredibly scenic dirt track exists just beyond the outskirts of Santa Barbara, but there Camino Cielo is, in all its splendor. West Camino Cielo is a bumpy dirt trail, with the best views found atop Broadcast Peak. You might think camping isn’t allowed up here, but as long as you’re on national forest land, you’re good to go!
Before wrapping up West Camino Cielo, be sure to make the short hike and scramble to Lizard’s Mouth Rock (discovery point). While the rock itself isn’t super impressive, the surrounding boulders and views more than make up for it. We actually think it looks more like a snapping turtle than a lizard’s mouth.
In the not-so-distant past, N. Refugio Road provided a great dirt alternative to drop down into the Santa Ynez Valley. Unfortunately, the road has been hammered by winter storms and has succumbed to multiple landslides, making it impassable to full-size vehicles (though motos are still known to use the closed road). With the closure, you’ll need to burn some pavement on Highway 154 back toward Santa Ynez before heading up to Figueroa Mountain (discovery point). While the majority of this section is paved, the scenery in the Santa Ynez Valley is something else. It’s no wonder the area has attracted billionaires, musicians, and Hollywood stars.
In 2024, the 38,000-acre Lake Fire burned much of Figueroa Mountain and its surrounding slopes. While the forest may not be as lush as it once was, the recently burned mountainsides are a haven for wildflowers like lupine, which can blanket huge portions of the hillside during spring. If you get the chance, make the drive to the top of the mountain to check out the Santa Ynez Overlook and Figueroa Lookout (discovery point).
From Figueroa Mountain, you’ll need to descend back into the Santa Ynez Valley via pavement. Los Olivos (discovery point) is a charming village and a great place to stop for a break or a bite to eat. From there, you’ll follow a series of paved backroads leading to the highway—and just a few short miles beyond that, you’re back on dirt as you climb into the San Rafael Wilderness via Sierra Madre Road (discovery point). Sierra Madre starts as a graded dirt road winding through oak woodlands, but as it climbs, the oaks give way to chaparral and chamise, and the road becomes increasingly narrow and rugged. The views of the surrounding mountains and the Santa Ynez Valley are absolutely mind-blowing. Expect to pick up some pinstripes as you make your way farther along. The highlight here is definitely the panoramic views atop McPherson Peak (discovery point), if you’re able to make it that far.
To reach Carrizo Plain, you’ll descend the steep and narrow Bates Canyon Road. Unlike Sierra Madre, there aren’t a lot of rocks or bumps here—but there is a fair amount of exposure along the narrow mountain road. Bates Canyon eventually drops you onto Highway 166, which you’ll take eastward toward Carrizo Plain.
Carrizo Plain National Monument (discovery point) is famous for its superblooms during winters with above-average precipitation. The San Andreas Fault also runs right through the heart of the plain. Even if you're not visiting during a springtime bloom, Carrizo is still an impressive place. Fauna like pronghorn, tule elk, coyotes, and the San Joaquin kit fox can all be spotted here, and the monument is a hotspot for raptor activity. This portion of the route also features the longest sustained section of dirt. The hills at the southeast end of the park offer a fun playground for your 4x4, with plenty of steep, off-camber, and rutted terrain to explore. But the most challenging stretch lies along the trail over Tremblor Ridge. Expect numerous steep (20°+) sections with loose, rocky, and rutted terrain.
If you get the chance, be sure to make a reservation for the guided tour to Painted Rock (discovery point), a Native American heritage site known for its striking rock art. The route concludes by exiting past Soda Lake (discovery point) and through the northern boundary of the monument. Fuel can be found by heading east on Highway 58 toward the interstate or west toward Santa Margarita.
Gallery
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