Romero Edison Road
Though not a trail it provides great views and an excellent connector.
TRAIL INFORMATION
Distance-.4 miles to power line intersection and start of Buena Vista Trail; 1.25 miles to top of power lines; 2 miles to Buena Vista overlook
Elevation Gain-700′ to top of power line road; 100′ elevation loss to the Buena Vista overlook
Difficulty-Moderate
Topo– Santa Barbara and Carpinteria
View Photo Gallery
HIGHLIGHTS
For hikers who would like to experience the feeling of a walk along the upper edges of Montecito, where you can look down on the coastline from a lofty perch nearly 1200′ in elevation above the valley floor, the route up to the Buena Vista lookout provides just such an experience. The power line road is wide, easy to walk on, and the views are spectacular. It is possible to reach the Buena Vista Trail or hike all the way to San Ysidro Canyon on the power line road.
DIRECTIONS
From Highway 101 take the Sheffield Drive exit. Follow it 1.5 miles to East Valley Road. Turn left, then almost immediately to the right on Romero Canyon Road and continue another 1.5 miles to Buena Vista and turn right on it. The trailhead is about .3 miles. You will find a locked red steel gate marking the trail’s beginning.
THE HIKE
From the locked gate the route finding is easy-as you walk up the oak-lined road, the power line road splits off to the left a bit beyond the concrete bridge. This is where the hard part begins. The road leads up a side canyon and begins to gain elevation fairly rapidly. Fifteen minutes of strenuous climbing will get you to the summit and from here the next mile along the power line road is easy. The road is almost, though not quite, level as it winds along the side of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
There are several promontories along the way which provide great places to stop but the best is near the end of the road on a knoll which is marked on the Carpinteria topo with a small triangle and the elevation-1543′. Look for a trail in the chaparral leading out to the top of the knoll. On it you will find a beautiful hand carved bench to sit on and enjoy the sunset views. You can thank the Montecito Trails Foundation for providing this magnificent bench.
The power line road ends just a few hundred yards beyond the knoll trail. If you look closely you will spot the Buena Vista trail sign without too much difficulty. The trail drops down into a very pretty sycamore-filled canyon which is the most colorful front country canyon in November and September when the leaves are a golden yellow.
