Mightily gorgeous coastline is to California what pizza is to Italy or flamenco is to Spain — you'll find it all over the place in these parts. From the sublime cliff views of the Big Sur
to the uncrowded beaches and lagoons of Point Reyes, there's some bucket-list-busting shoreline stringing up the state's 840 miles of the Pacific. One such stretch of shoreline awaits just west of sun-splashed and much-loved Santa Barbara, along what's become known as the Gaviota Coast.Be prepared, because it's
a jaw-dropper of a place. The Santa Ynez Mountains rise in a symphony of gorges and sage-scented bluffs to the north. They crash into the ocean in a show of vertical cliffs broken up by rivers and wide beaches, many of which are now protected state reserves. At 76 miles long, it's hailed as one of the biggest undeveloped stretches of Southern California. And it's easy to see why: black bears, cougars, bobcats, and more abound in these parts.
If all that's stoked the adventure to life, there's nothing for it but to start planning your visit. The good news is that the Gaviota Coast is eminently accessible thanks to its position right beside Santa Barbara. A mere 15-minute drive from the airport, and you can be cruising into the surf-washed bay of El Capitan — just one of a trio of beach reserves that combine to make the region so enticing. Coming from the north, you're looking at two-hour drive on Highway 101 from Pismo Beach. Coming up from Los Angeles, expect drive times of around two hours in normal traffic.
Read more: The Best (And Cheapest) West Coast Beach Towns To Visit, According To Travelers
The Best Beaches Of The Gaviota Coast
The Gaviota Coast is almost unique in California in that it faces due south, not west or southwest. Combine that with the extra protection from southerly ocean swells offered by the beautiful West Coast gem that is the Channel Islands National Park — not to mention the 300-plus days of sunshine that blaze down on Santa Barbara each year — and suddenly you get beaches almost tailor-made for swimming and chilling.
The beach at Gaviota State Park is often picked out as the very best. It's located right at the point where the 101 meets the coast, and opens up under the shadow of a train bridge. There, you'll find an old fishing pier, as well as trailheads that lead to hot springs and campgrounds behind the beach itself.
Meanwhile, El Capitan State Beach is closer to Santa Barbara. A crown of oaks frames the shore, while a long, sandy frontage heralds a wonderland of rock pools overlooked by high cliffs. There can sometimes be a surf break working off the point, although the area is mainly known for its beachcombing, swimming, and even whale watching.
Wildlife Watching Around Gaviota
The Gaviota Coast is truly wild stuff and it has wild residents to match. There have been reports of all sorts roaming around the salt-washed shores here — from colossal black bears to prowling mountain lions to skunks and deer. That should hardly come as a surprise. This is a place where highland and coastal plains peppered with oak forests and chaparral dip into seas brimming with nutrients thanks to the prevailing ocean currents.
Just take El Capitan State Beach. The shoreline itself might be the main attraction, but there are long tracts of the reserve that push inland from the coast to encompass ancient stands of sycamore forests, home to a multitude of bird life and small critters. Keep watch for jays and grebes, and raccoons and lizards, as you hike the paths that delve back from the Pacific into the mountains.
The ocean is a whole different wonderland for wildlife lovers in these parts. The region is now contained within the vast Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, which extends all the way north to Pismo Beach and out to the Channel Islands. Blue whales, important tracts of ocean kelp meadows, and otters are all found within. To see them up close, visitors can do kayak tours that often involve encounters with dolphins and sea lions in secret inlets. It's incredible.
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Read the original article on Islands.
