Free docent-led nature hikes are offered at 10:00 am on Saturdays of open weekends. Visitors can also hike on their own on these days. Hikes are free of charge; however, donations to support Arroyo Hondo Preserve and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County are gratefully accepted. Everyone is welcome to visit the Preserve to hike, picnic, paint, volunteer, or research, but advance reservations are required. Online reservations can be made here: https://www.sblandtrust.org/arroyo-hondo-preserve-reservations/ The Arroyo Hondo Preserve is located west of Santa Barbara between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park. The preserve is tucked into a magnificent canyon with winding trails, creeks, shady trees, and rewarding views. All 910 acres of Arroyo Hondo are protected forever and managed by the Land Trust. Due to the sensitivity of the canyon's resources, dogs, mountain bikes, horses, hunting, fishing, and campfires are not allowed. Directions to the Preserve: Traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 101, the Preserve is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Approximately 4 miles past Refugio State Beach, you will see a blue “Rest Area in 7 miles” sign followed closely by a yellow warning sign about falling rocks. The entrance to Arroyo Hondo is in 1/2 mile and will be visible on the right at the bottom of the hill. Make a right-hand turn into the driveway. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge on the right, and park near the barn.

Book a Reservation

Visitors are welcome to join a 10 a.m. guided tour on Saturday or Sunday, the first and third full weekend of every month! Free online reservations are required in advance; spaces are limited. Knowledgeable docents will lead you on a 2-hour natural history tour along Arroyo Hondo Creek. Learn about the plants and animals of the canyon as well as the fire and flood cycles that help keep the Preserve wild. View the historic Ortega Adobe, built in 1842, and once used as a stagecoach stop on the route between Lompoc and Santa Barbara. Tours are approximately 1.5 miles over mostly flat terrain, including dirt, gravel, sand, and boards crossing the creek. Free parking, bathrooms, and water are available. To protect the Preserve’s natural habitat, dogs are not allowed. To make your weekend tour reservation, select an open date on the calendar. You will receive a confirmation email with visit details. Reservations open one month in advance. Guided tours for community groups of 10 or more are available on a limited basis, weekdays and weekends. To learn more about scheduling, please contact Leslie Chan at lchan@sblandtrust.org. Environmental Education field trips are offered to schools for free— our calendar is full through the end of the 2025/2026 school year, but please contact Education Coordinator Sally Isaacson at volunteer@sblandtrust.org to learn more about scheduling a future trip.