2024-09-25 SBA-001 Santa Barbara, CA

<<< Summary >>>

Santa Barbara is often referred as The American Riviera for its Mediterranean-like climate, palm-lined beaches, Spanish Colonial-inspired architecture, beautiful wine country, stunning ocean views and sunset, and its natural beauty of remarkable landscapes from mountains to the sea.

The views from the hills overlooking the city and the ocean are simply breathtaking; they are a must-see for any visitor to Santa Barbara.

Take any hike up to the near-by National Forests, surrounding mountains, state parks, or Channel Islands National Park to fully enjoy the natural beauty along its coastal areas.

One of the most scenic routes to Santa Barbara is the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1, which offers outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastline. Another scenic route is Highway 101 going through the beautiful wine country with gorgeous Santa Ynez Mountains views.

Santa Barbara is also known for its fresh seafood, particularly its local catch of lobster and crab. It also has a thriving farm-to-table food scene with many restaurants using locally-sourced ingredients.

The following destinations are also included in the itinerary.

Channel Islands National Park

Solvang, CA, the Danish capital of America

Web links are included here:

Santa Barbara, CA                   photos   information

Channel Islands National Park photos   information

Solvang, CA                              photos   information

<<< Logistics >>>

We’ll meet first thing in the morning at various locations or trailheads. I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp to communicate our daily meeting place and meeting time.

<<< Itinerary >>>

This itinerary is designed for shorter hiking and more free time to enjoy many other interesting attractions and activities in the area.

Attraction and activity suggestion: Stearns Wharf; Santa Barbara Beach; Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786, Lizards Mouth Rock; Arroyo Burro Beach; Kayaking; Cycling; Boating tour; Wine country tour; Self driving tour; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden; Santa Barbara Zoo; Shoreline Park; Stunning sunset; Sightseeing, etc.

Day 1: 2024-09-25 Wednesday.

Arrive at Santa Barbara, CA; and check in lodging. This is a good day to drive around and stock up your grocery and all the supplies for the week.

Day 2: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Rattlesnake Canyon (D4: 5 miles/ 1630 feet ascent).

Day 3: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Hot Springs Canyon and Cold Spring Trail Loop. (D4: 6 miles/ 1900 feet ascent).

Day 4: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Tequepis Trail overlooking Lake Cachuma (D5: 8 miles/ 2540 feet ascent).

Day 5: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

This is a no-hiking/rest day for anything else we like to do in Santa Barbara.

The near-by Solvang, CA is a very interesting place to visit. It’s known as the Danish capital of America with Danish Architecture, Solvang Visitor Center, Old Mission Santa Ines 1804, Hans Christian Andersen Park, etc. Lizards Mouth Rock and Ostrich-Land USA are also interesting attractions to stop by.

Day 6: Meeting Time: we’ll confirm later depending on ferry schedule.

Channel Islands National Park, Scorpion Canyon and Potato Harbor (D3: 8 miles/ 1300 feet ascent). We’ll drive to Ventura; take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island. This is a whole day event including ferry rides out and back.

Day 7: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Jesusita Trail to Inspiration Point (D4: 7 miles/ 1650 feet ascent).

Day 8: Our group event ends today. You can pack up and go home from here, or continue additional journey on your own.

<<< Difficulty Level >>>

Our event will be at the AOC D5 difficulty level. The continuous nature of daily outings requires all participants to be physically prepared and trained before taking this trip.

<<< How to prepare >>>

We all have to be physically prepared and trained well before taking on such an epic trip. Best physical conditions enable us to take in everything surrounding us and fully enjoy the amazing natural beauty rather than being out of breath and feeling tired every time going uphill. We must do fitness training a couple of times a week for a minimum 6 to 9 months, and also hiking the steepest mountain hills available to us. My favorite is Kennesaw Mt. which is local, beautiful, and very convenient.

<<< How to get there >>>

Take a flight to Santa Barbara, CA.

<<< How to sign up >>>

This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you’re verified to be suitable for this trip, you will be moved to the participant list.

<<< How to qualify >>>

Group will be selected by:

History of social compatibility in the AOC group setting

History of participation in the AOC events

You can comfortably finish my Kennesaw 10 hike in 4 hours; or personally I know your hiking ability and fitness condition is qualified.

You must have a car/ rental car, or you’ll be disqualified to participate.

The payment of $25 only covers AOC Service Fee. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks, and etc.) are paid by members on their own.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

Transportation

Everyone is responsible for his/her own transportation the entire trip, i.e. flights and rental cars. Sharing rental car is a commitment to coordinating and staying together the entire trip including flight schedule. Please be thoughtful when making such commitment.

Lodging

We will stay in Santa Barbara, CA as our home base. VRBO, Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia.com, and Hotels.com are popular sites among many others to compare, search, and book for lodging.

I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp for our group conversation once our roster is set. We can use it to facilitate sharing lodging and rental car conversation.

Weather

A non-refundable AOC Service Fee $25 required by AOC.

If you miss the payment date, you will be removed from the list required by AOC.

There is no refund for cancellation.