This weeks suggestion takes you time traveling through history with Chumash Cave paintings and late 1800’s stagecoach history in the mountains just north of Santa Barbara.  Escape this year’s June gloom as this area is typically past the fog line and can reach high temperatures when the coastal areas are socked in fog.  Pack your bathing suits and enjoy the swimming holes in the Los Padres Forest.  

            Take 101 north to 154 in Santa Barbara. Go right on Painted Cave Road. The road is a culinary dream dotted with anise, a feathery herb that smells like licorice, and is a key ingredient in bouillabaisse.  Fragrant Laurel trees line the road, producing bay leaves, which are great for spaghetti sauce.   The cave comes up on the left side of the road just as you climb into a shady canyon, about two miles in and is clearly marked. Normally, the museum, state and federal agencies do not give out rock art site locations; however Painted Cave State Historic Park is an exception.   The railing was put in to discourage vandalism, but you can view the paintings quite well with your flashlight.  Some of the paintings are thought to be around a thousand years old, and some are more recent, often painted one over another.  One of the symbols is thought to depict a solar eclipse that occurred on November 24, 1677.  


            Continue driving up Painted Cave Road to the T.  Turn left on East Camino Cielo Road, then right on Old Stage Coach Road. This route was built in 1861 and remained in use for stagecoaches until 1901.  Soon you’ll see The Cold Spring Tavern on your left.  Established in 1865, it boasts cozy fireside dining amidst the charm of a bygone era.  Originally called the Cold Spring Relay Station it was the halfway stop between Mattie’s to the North and Summit House to the South.  Here the stagecoaches known as “mudwagons” stopped to change the horses and have their noontime meal before continuing on their journey over the San Marcos Pass.  Dine between 11-3, and 5-9:30pm with live music and dancing Thursday to Sunday. Continue on Old Stagecoach Road under the impressive Cold Spring Arches Bridge.  All traffic used this section of the route until 1963 when this bridge was built.


            For a hike or freshwater swim turn right at the crossroads on Paradise Road up ahead the road takes you past little cabin communities in the forest.  You’ll soon come to a booth where you’ll need to display an adventure pass or pay $5 day use fee.  This beautiful road offers day use picnic areas and overnight camp grounds along a river with wonderful little swimming holes and rocky beaches shaded by poplar trees that make a rattling sound in the wind.  For the best swimming holes go all the way to the end of the road to the Red Rocks trailhead  (keep driving past the Red Rocks day use picnic area).  The trail is easy to hike and you will find deep gemlike ponds perfect for a swim.  These pools are popular, especially on weekends, so chances are you won’t have it to yourself.  It makes great place to enjoy a real summer day when the beaches are socked in with June Gloom.  Lots of people have gotten hurt out here diving, sometimes misjudging a change in water level, so please be careful. 


            Backtrack on Paradise Road, it will lead you to 154.  Turn Left to drop back into Santa Barbara, where you can join 101 South.  Sunday drive thanks you for driving friendly.  Contact Jason Scott at Paradise Chevrolet 642-0111. 

                        Strictly 4x4:  East Camino Cielo


            Santa Barbara only offers three off road trails for dirt bikes and quads, but they don’t grant access to trucks.   We didn’t go on any of them because we drive an Avalanche, but sure wished we could.  Call 805-967-3481 to ask the ranger for current conditions and how to access them.  If you have a truck and want to get your tires off of the pavement take West Camino Cielo Road off of Hwy 154.  It’s not challenging at all, but it does give you breathtaking island views on a clear day.  If you are escaping the fog, your best bet is to take this road in the afternoon to get ocean views once the coastal fog burns off.  The road is rocky in parts, but you probably won’t need to engage your four wheel drive.  Anywhere along the road is a great place to soak in the views and stretch your legs, or open your tailgate and enjoy a bite to eat.  If you go with other friends in a caravan it’s always fun to make it a potluck.


            Further along, turn left down into the trees towards the ocean on Refugio Rd.  You’ll come to Circle Bar B Ranch.  They host a dinner theatre on weekends and also offer horseback riding (805-968-3901) and a guest ranch (805-968-1113).  Continue down Refugio Rd to join 101 in Gaviota.  Strictly 4x4 thanks you for treading lightly.