Chaparral Natural History Walk at Toro Canyon Park

Join Channelkeeper for an educational, guided/interpretive nature walk led by biologist/botanist Kate Symonds.

We will explore Toro Canyon Park and learn about the native chaparral.

Toro Canyon Park is a beautiful 74-acre park tucked in the foothills between Summerland and Carpinteria.

The park also features a typical example of the native chaparral plant community, which consists of hardy, drought-tolerant shrubs and comprises one of the most common plant communities in Southern California, yet it is often under appreciated.

Please arrive early to find the meeting location and sign the participant waiver (no pre-sign up necessary).

We will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. on a slow-paced walk for about one mile on a wide unpaved foot path, with 300 feet total elevation gain.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

A hat and layers are recommended.

Please leave your pets at home.

In the event of light rain, the event will be rescheduled.

Parking is free.

There are restrooms close to the meeting spot.

Cell service may be spotty to nonexistent.

Meeting Location: Toro Canyon Park, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

From the 101 Freeway exit at Padaro Lane, turn toward the mountains. Turn right on Via Real. After 1/2 a mile, turn left on Toro Canyon Road. After 1.3 miles, turn right on Toro Canyon Park Road just after the large Toro Canyon Park sign.

The actual park entrance is about one mile up this road on your left.

There is no roadside sign indicating you have arrived at the parking lot, so it is easy to miss and dead end at a private estate.

We will meet in the upper end of the parking area near the large sandstone rock.