The Last Leg of the Franklin Trail

Phase 3 Implementation Begins With extensive community support the historic Franklin Trail is being re-established in the Los Padres National Forest. Once the last leg is completed it will be possible to hike all the way from Carpinteria to the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains and into the Santa Barbara backcountry. The trail down the backside of the mountains is already open and follows Alder...
read more

Gaviota State Park Trail Maintenance Day

The Trails Council is holding its second trail maintenance project for the Beach to Backcountry Trail at Gaviota State Park. Last November the volunteer crew cleared a long section of the trail that was overgrow with poison oak. On Saturday, January 18th we will continue to brush the trail on our way to the Wind Caves. The Beach to Backcountry Trail extends from the beach at Gaviota State Park to...
read more

Two Miles of Franklin Trail Open

On Friday, November 1st, the Franklin Trail ribbon cutting was held with over 150 in attendance. The Franklin Trail is Carpinteria's poster child for volunteering and in-kind service donations. Listening to all the accolades at the opening ceremony, one can only begin to guess the value for the time donated to the project that went way beyond moving dirt around with a pick and a...
read more

Santa Barbara County Coastal Clean-up Day 2013

Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual volunteering event to clean up Santa Barbara County's beaches. It takes place on the third Saturday in September each year. This year's event on Saturday, September 21, 2013! Twenty-five beaches are listed on the County's Public Works Department web site so be sure to check it out to learn about event details and volunteer to clean-up your favorite beach. Over the...
read more

Trail Funding in Recent Years

On August 28th County Riding and Hiking Trails Advisory Committee (CRAHTAC) gave a briefing to the County Planning Commission regarding concerns about the draft Gaviota Coast Plan. The presentation provided guidance on the elements they believe are missing from the plan and require the Planning Commission to take action. Goal — A clear goal to expand recreation and trails Objectives —...
read more

Gaviota Coast Recreation Survey

[update:  This survey is no longer active. Thank you for participating] The Santa Barbara County Trails Council is preparing a California Coastal Trail and Access Study for a 20 mile-long segment of the rural Gaviota Coast. The Study identifies trail easements, coastal access points to unspoiled beaches, and scenic mesas to complete a major coastal hiking trail along this a pristine of...
read more


s2Member®