Newest Trail on the Gaviota Coast to Open December 18

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the trail head on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. The trail head is located on the Gaviota Coast at 14550 Calle Real, Goleta CA 93117 (approximately 2.5 miles northwest of Refugio State Park; see interactive map below). Public use of the trail will officially begin on Saturday December 18, 2010.

County Parks and the Resource Recovery & Solid Waste Division, along with the local trails community have worked for many years to bring this new trails opportunity to the recreating public. The Baron Ranch is owned by the County and managed for its resources, agriculture, and as a buffer to the Tajiguas landfill by the Resource Recovery & Solid Waste Division.

The Baron Ranch Trail will be open for public use on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, from 8:00 a.m. until sunset and is restricted for use by only pedestrians/hikers at this time. Expanded days of use and expanded types of use may be evaluated for implementation at a future time. The trail winds its way through an active agricultural operation, up a riparian coastal canyon, and through coastal chaparral to an elevation of 1,216 feet. The Baron Ranch trail is an approximate six mile loop up and back from the trail head.

The trail was funded by a grant from the Goleta Valley Land Trust in 2008. With in-kind services from various County agencies and the invaluable support and volunteer efforts of the Santa Barbara Trails Council and other community trail groups and advocates, the Baron Ranch Trail has become a reality.