Healthy People Healthy Trails

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area Nature Walks
2025-10-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 1 Lakeview Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93105, 1 Lakeview Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Reservations are required by calling (805) 688-4515.
First come, first served. Available for ages 3 and older. No pets, please. Free to campers or free with the $10 park entrance fee for day-use visitors. There are also miles of trails for self-guided hikes within the park. Trail maps are available at the Main Gate.
Private guided walks outside of these times are also available depending upon staff availability and have a $30 group fee.

Sierra Club Hike - Friday Mornings
2025-10-03 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-09-26 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-09-19 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-09-12 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-09-05 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-29 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-22 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-15 09:30 - 12:00 and 1 more date | SB Mission, Laguna & Los Olivos St, Santa Barbara, CA, SB Mission, Laguna & Los Olivos St, Santa Barbara, CA, CA, United States
We meet at the fountain in front of the mission at 9:30 AM in the morning for the morning hike. These hikes are on the front country trails behind Santa Barbara and Montecito. Dress appropriately with hiking boots, comfortable clothes and bring at least a liter of water in your backpack or fanny pack. Bring sunscreen and bug repellent when necessary.
The morning hike leaves at 9:30 AM SHARP and we get back between 11:30 AM and noon. There are no dogs allowed on the hikes for safety concerns. The hike is approximately 4 miles, 2 miles up and 2 miles back. These hikes are appropriate for beginners in good health. We will carpool to the hike from the mission. If you decide to ride with someone, please be kind enough to give the driver a dollar per person for their trouble and gas.
For more information, contact the leader Al Sladek at alsladek@gmail.com

City of Carpinteria - AgeWell Walking Club
2025-09-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-09 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-02 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-19 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, CA, 93103, United States
Meet, Greet & Move Your Feet!

The group meets on Tuesdays, 9 am at the Carpinteria Community Library.

For more information about the AgeWell program visit: https://carpinteriaca.gov/agewell/
Become an AgeWell member for free by signing up here: https://carpinteriaca.gov/agewell/become-a-member/

Arroyo Hondo Preserve - Nature Hike
2025-09-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-17 10:00 - 12:00 | 15550 El Camino Real, Goleta, CA 93117, 15550 El Camino Real, Goleta, CA 93117, United States
Free docent-led nature hikes are offered at 10:00 am on Sundays of open weekends. Visitors can also hike on their own on these days. Hikes are free of charge; however, donations to help support Arroyo Hondo Preserve and the work of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County are gratefully accepted. Everyone is welcome to visit the Preserve to hike, picnic, paint, volunteer, or research, but advance reservations are required.
Online reservations can be made here: https://www.sblandtrust.org/arroyo-hondo-preserve-reservations/
Due to the sensitivity of the resources in the canyon, dogs, mountain bikes, horses, hunting, fishing, and campfires are not allowed.
Directions to the Preserve: Traveling northbound on the U.S. Highway 101: The Preserve is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Approximately 4 miles past Refugio State Beach, you will see a blue “Rest Area in 7 miles” sign followed closely by a yellow warning sign about falling rocks. The entrance to Arroyo Hondo is in 1/2 mile and will be visible on the right at the bottom of the hill. Make a right-hand turn into the driveway. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge on the right and park near the barn.

Arroyo Hondo Preserve - Nature Hike
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-16 10:00 - 12:00 | 15550 El Camino Real, Goleta, CA 93117, 15550 El Camino Real, Goleta, CA 93117, United States
Free docent-led nature hikes are offered at 10:00 am on Saturdays of open weekends. Visitors can also hike on their own on these days. Hikes are free of charge; however, donations to help support Arroyo Hondo Preserve and the work of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County are gratefully accepted. Everyone is welcome to visit the Preserve to hike, picnic, paint, volunteer, or research, but advance reservations are required.
Online reservations can be made here: https://www.sblandtrust.org/arroyo-hondo-preserve-reservations/
Due to the sensitivity of the resources in the canyon, dogs, mountain bikes, horses, hunting, fishing, and campfires are not allowed.

Directions to the Preserve: Traveling northbound on the U.S. Highway 101: The Preserve is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Approximately 4 miles past Refugio State Beach, you will see a blue “Rest Area in 7 miles” sign followed closely by a yellow warning sign about falling rocks. The entrance to Arroyo Hondo is in 1/2 mile and will be visible on the right at the bottom of the hill. Make a right-hand turn into the driveway. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge on the right and park near the barn.

Creeks-to-Coast Cleanup
2025-09-20 09:00 - 12:00 | 3041 Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Nipomo, CA 93444, 3041 Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Nipomo, CA 93444, United States
In Partnership with EcoSlo!
We are collaborating with EcoSlo to facilitate a cleanup at Oso Flaco Lake! This event covers not just coastlines but also our beloved creeks, lakes, and parks across San Luis Obispo County. Last year, this event removed almost 8,000 pounds of trash from these natural areas.
As many of you know, The Dunes Center has so much love for the amazing landscapes of Oso Flaco Lake. With five different plant communities, this area creates a unique habitat for numerous species that characterize our Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes. Being a host for this event is so special, as we can give back some care and love to this area, which has given our organization so much throughout the years. Join this incredible event by registering below. If you would like more information about site locations, waivers for the event, or if you would like to be a sponsor for this event, visit http://ecoslo.org/creeks-to-coast.
Date: Saturday, September 20th, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM

Donations to the Dunes Center are always appreciated, supporting educational programming and conservation efforts.

Friday Bird Walk – Atascadero Creek
2025-09-05 08:30 - 10:30 | Goleta Beach Park, Goleta Beach Park, United States
The eBird hotspot for the area boasts 232 species. Waterfowl, shorebirds, waders, raptors, gulls, and other species are not uncommon in their season. Goleta Slough is the primary drainage for many of the Goleta Valley / western Santa Barbara area creeks, providing waterways for birds to move up and down from the Santa Barbara mountains.

Target Birds:

Herons
Egrets
Osprey
Kingfisher
& Others

Directions:
From the South

Traveling North Bound on Hwy101
Take Hwy 217 Airport UCSB (Exit 104B)
From Hwy 217 take Exit 1: Santspit Road
Turn left onto Sandspit Road

From the North

Traveling South Bound on Hwy101
Take the Fairview Avenue off ramp (Exit 105)
Turn right on Fairview, head towards ocean
Road changes name to Fowler then Moffett and then Sandspit Road

Then for everyone

Sandspit Road turns left and continues under the Hwy 217 overpass
Turn right into Goleta Beach Park and cross the bridge
Turn left at the stop sign
Park in the parking lot that’s west (UCSB side) of The Ellwood Restaurant
We will meet in the parking lot
Map Here – or – Google Map

Other Information:

Bring water & a snack
Wear comfortable shoes
Binoculars are a must (borrow ours if you need to)
Spotting scopes are useful

Trip Coordinator:

Karl Weis
Contact Karl for information or questions

Oak Woodland Hike - Dangermond Preserve!
2025-08-23 09:00 - 13:00 | Dangermond Preserve, 5000 Jalama Road, Lompoc, CA, 93436, United States
SOLD OUT
Join us for a Land Trust Trek on Saturday, April 4th, 2026, from 9 am – 1 pm, at the amazing Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve! Located at Point Conception, Dangermond Preserve is permanently protected from development and hosts a stunning array of biodiversity.
Learn about the plants and animals around you, stop to observe birds flying overhead or insects crawling across the path, and immerse your senses in the old-growth oak woodlands. You never know what exciting experiences will emerge during a naturalist walk! This opportunity is open to all ages and consists of walking along a flat 4-mile out-and-back trail, adjacent to a creek. The weather can be variable, so dress in layers. Bathroom access is available at the meeting location. No water is available; please bring your own supply of water. No dogs allowed at the preserve.
The preserve is private property and is only accessible through guided public programs. Visitors must follow the preserve guidelines at all times.
In 2023, the Land Trust executed a $15 million conservation easement over Dangermond Preserve with funding from the Vandenberg Space Force base. This conservation easement ensures the enduring conservation of the preserve, maximizes conservation protections, and secures funds for TNC that are critical to long-term land management.
The Land Trust offers a number of free, guided public hikes and other outdoor experiences around Santa Barbara County. Join us for a volunteer day, explore beautiful places, and learn how you can support conservation work in your community!

Oak Woodland Hike - Dangermond Preserve!
2025-08-23 09:00 - 13:00 | Dangermond Preserve, 5000 Jalama Road, Lompoc, CA, 93436, United States
SOLD OUT
Join us for a Land Trust Trek on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, from 9 am – 1 pm, at the amazing Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve! Located at Point Conception, Dangermond Preserve is permanently protected from development and hosts a stunning array of biodiversity.
Learn about the plants and animals around you, stop to observe birds flying overhead or insects crawling across the path, and immerse your senses in the old-growth oak woodlands. You never know what exciting experiences will emerge during a naturalist walk! This opportunity is open to all ages and consists of walking along a flat 4-mile out-and-back trail, adjacent to a creek. The weather can be variable, so dress in layers. Bathroom access is available at the meeting location. No water is available; please bring your own supply of water. No dogs allowed at the preserve.
The preserve is private property and is only accessible through guided public programs. Visitors must follow preserve guidelines at all times.
In 2023, the Land Trust executed a $15 million conservation easement over Dangermond Preserve with funding from the Vandenburg Space Force base. This conservation easement ensures the enduring conservation of the preserve, maximizes conservation protections, and secures funds for TNC that are critical to long-term land management.
The Land Trust offers a number of free, guided public hikes and other outdoor experiences around Santa Barbara County. Join us for a volunteer day, explore beautiful places, and learn how you can support conservation work in your community!

Kathleen Goddard Jones Memorial Hike
2025-08-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Black Lake, 1158 Cabrillo Highway, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420, United States
In collaboration with The Land Conservancy, explore the breathtaking Black Lake Ecological Area or Kathleen Canyon Overlook in celebration of Kathleen Goddard Jones’ birthday. The Land Conservancy has owned this area since 2000 and has continuously worked to restore its natural beauty and allowed The Dunes Center to bring our community to explore the local wildlife, as well as rare and endemic plant species.
️ Date: Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Black Lake, Kathleen’s Canyon Overlook (corner of Callendar Rd and Hwy 1)
Gates will be opened for ample parking.
What to bring:
✔ Water
✔ A light Jacket
✔ Closed-toe shoes
✔ A hat
‍♂️ Ready to hit the trail? Secure your spot by registering with the link below and let’s make this an awesome day outside!
Ticket Information:
$5 for Members: For your convenience, we will check and make sure your membership is current!
$10 for Non-Members: Not a member yet? Join today for as little as $50/year and enjoy discounted event tickets, exclusive perks, and the chance to support our mission of conserving and celebrating the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes!
Space may be limited—RSVP early to reserve your spot!

Donations to the Dunes Center are always appreciated, supporting educational programming and conservation efforts.
