The Santa Barbara Classic Coastwalk 2019

New Coastwalk!

The Santa Barbara Classic Coastwalk

August 11-16

6 days/5 nights

Rating: Moderate

Max Capacity: 25

$650 Non-Member Price

$625 Coastwalk Member Price

It’s back! From the wild and remote westernmost California beaches to the warm gentle coast of the wealthy Riviera enclave, walk the Santa Barbara coast not visible from Highway 1. Camp on the beaches of Jalama, Gaviota and Refugio. Walk west of the railroad tracks on the seldom seen pocket beaches; discover the awesome Point Conception on a newly opened trail; enjoy gourmet meals and Santa Barbara wine served around the campfire with local naturalists; hike Gaviota State Park’s Wind Cave Trail; bathe in the hot springs; coast-walk under the full moon; pass by the beach homes of the rich and famous; and much more.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hike and camp on the California Coastal Trail through the southern Central Coast of Santa Barbara County. Discover the hidden surfer refuge of Jalama Beach, the left break at Tarantula’s, have a “World Famous Jalama Burger,” hike miles of newly opened trail to the westernmost point in California, sacred Conception. Hike the rugged hills of Gaviota State Park with its waterfall, caves and streams, bathe in the hot springs. Hike the hidden beaches west of the railroad tracks from Gaviota to Carpinteria. Visit Isla Vista, home of UCSB; see the mansions and exclusive hotel beachfronts.

TRIP INCLUDES:

Camping & parking fees; guided hiking; nightly dinners; shuttle transportation; gear haul; evening programs; dinners, hot water/coffee & light breakfast fixings.

FACILITIES:

You will be camping out each night so you will need appropriate gear including sleeping bag, mattress or pad, and tent with rain fly. Since seating at some of the camp sites is minimal, we recommend you bring a folding chair. These items and your personal duffle will be hauled from camp site to camp site so you do not have to carry them during the day.

CAMPGROUNDS:

Night 1: Jalama Beach County Beach Park

Nights 2 & 3: Gaviota State Beach

Nights 4 & 5: Refugio State Beach Group Campground

AVERAGE DAILY HIKING:

5 to 11 miles per day

TYPES OF HIKING SURFACES:

Coastal bluffs on small tracks and wide trails; sandy and rocky beaches, hill trails and fire roads.

ELEVATION GAINS & LOSSES:

fairly level, with a maximum elevation gain of 1500’.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS:

There are no additional fitness requirements for this trip.

PARKING:

To be determined, between Lompoc and Gaviota. You will be contacted by Walk Leader and Coastwalk office after you register for more details on where to park.

CLOTHING:

The ocean is our climate control (water temperatures are in the lower-50s year around) so you can expect relatively cool temperatures with highs mainly in the mid-60s during the middle of the day and lows in the low 50s during the evening and early morning. There may be some morning fog that will burn off by about 10:00 am. Rain is not likely but is a possibility- we should have a fair handle on this at the time of the walk – a lightweight windbreaker is advised. It does get windy on the bluffs and beaches. You’ll want a sweater and/or jacket in the evenings and mornings; layering is usually best. Fleece is a warm, comfortable option. Otherwise, you can use your judgment about clothing when temperatures are in this range (the humidity can be fairly high which can affect how the air temperature affects your comfort). Bring sturdy hiking shoes that are comfortable and in good condition. A trekking pole provides excellent stability while crossing tricky terrain and rocks and can offer good support while tide pooling.

WATER:

There will be flush toilets and showers at all campgrounds.

TRANSPORTATION:

Your camp gear will be transported from camp site to camp site. We may shuttle our vehicles if necessary. Car camping may be an option. Otherwise, transportation to our parking area and home again will be your responsibility. Please contact your Walk Leader if you will be taking public transportation, and perhaps we can help get you to where you need to be. Please bring some change for the occasional public bus and shower facilities.

FOOD:

Coffee, juice, tea, cocoa and milk will be available each morning, as well as a variety of breakfast foods. We brew a large pot of coffee- decaf will only be available in the evening. You should plan to bring other food items for lunches. Wine, beer, or soft drinks will be available each day to refresh you contingent on donations to the food kitty. Dinners are provided 4 evenings; the first night bring some cash to dine at the Jalama Beach Store for burgers, homemade clam chowder, chili verde, “Aunt Ruth’s Raw Apple Cake,” wine and more (see link below for menu). You will only need to carry lunch items and water while hiking. See attached food provision note

PLEASE NOTE THIS ITINERARY MAY CHANGE AS NEW TRAILS AND OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOP ON THIS ADVENTURE.

The Santa Barbara Classic Coastwalk starts again after nearly a decade’s hiatus. The itinerary is a rough outline, as much of the route will be planned this spring. Changes should be expected as new discoveries are made and trails are prewalked for storm or fire damage.

Day 1: Orientation and Jalama Beach Walk.

Day 2: Round trip hike to Point Conception and lighthouse, for a total of 11 miles. Transport to Gaviota Beach State Park

Day 3: Hike the upland trails of Gaviota State Park.

Days 4, 5 and 6: Beach and bluff walk from Gaviota to Carpinteria, hiking approximately 30 of its 42 miles with some shuttles.

Night 4: Full moon beach walk

LIST OF THINGS TO BRING:

sturdy walking shoes
spare walking shoes
camp shoes (Crocs are great)
hat for sun protection
sunglasses with UV protection
sunscreen (minimum 15 spf)
bug repellant (most likely not necessary)
personal first aid kit (band aids, blister pads)
day pack and plate, cup, bowl, and eating utensils
personal medicines
flashlight with new batteries
folding chair
A roll of quarters for bus fare and showers
Solar shower
Tent, Sleeping bag, Ground Cloth
Water Bottle
Lunch foods
cash for public bus transportation and quarters for camp showers.

NOTE: Our Camp Coordinators & Walk Leaders will need to know every participant’s medical conditions, insurance information, medications, and doses. We ask that you provide that information when you register for the Walk and notify both the Coastwalk office and Walk leaders of any changes or new medical conditions prior to the Walk.

Mike Minky

2019 will be the 8th year that Mike Minky leads the SLO Coastwalk, and the first year for the Santa Barbara Coastwalk. A retired CPA, Mike owns several record companies specializing in a wide range of classics from Cambodian psychedelic surf bands to Calypso to ‘60’s East L.A. garage bands. Mike’s first Coastwalk was joining the 2003 Border to Border walkers for 3 weeks on the San Simeon to Carpentaria leg. As land acquisitions have opened up new trails on the Central Coast, Mike has been bushwhacking and marking the future route of the California Coastal Trail.

Volunteer support staff: Bob Adams, Mel and Diana Savage, Susie Schneider

Aerial Photos of the California Coast

https://www.californiacoastline.org/

KCET Gaviota Coastal Trail Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adGUqPci9Jw

Jalama Beach County Park:

https://www.countyofsb.org/parks/jalama.sbc

Gaviota State Park:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=606

Refugio State Beach:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=603

Explore Santa Barbara: