Coastal Carrizo Adventure Trail

With its winding roads, rugged trails, and sweeping climbs through the coastal mountains, the Coastal Carrizo Adventure Trail delivers unforgettable views at every turn. Beyond the scenery, the wildflower blooms of Carrizo Plain create a surreal experience during years of above-average rainfall. This 280 mile track offers a true adventure for those seeking both beauty and rugged trails.

Route Overview

Trip Length & Season

Adventure Rating: Epic Trip Length: 280 miles, 2.5-5 days Season: The best times to visit are in spring when the wildflowers are blooming, or in Fall. Summer travel is possible but Carrizo plain can get very hot during the warm season. It's best to avoid Carrizo Plain during or after heavy rain. West Camino Cielo and Sierra Madre Road (Los Padres NF) may be gated after heavy rain events.

>> Check Hike Los Padres for gate info.

Digital Maps & GPX Files

Technical Ratings & Terrain

Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans

Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear

Alternative Routes

Camping Recommendations

Discovery Points

Land Managers & Other Resources

Permits & Papers

---

Route Details

The Coastal Carrizo Trail might as well be called the Sea to Sky Overland Trail, given that it starts at the edge of the continent and climbs high into the coast ranges. One thing is certain along this track—you’re guaranteed to be blown away by the views as you climb into the coastal mountains. Whether it’s the coastline of the California Riviera, the rugged mountains, or the rolling hills and canyons of the Carrizo Plain, the Coastal Carrizo Adventure Trail delivers in spades.

We begin our adventure along the coast at Refugio State Beach (discovery point), where the route quickly ascends into the coastal range via West Camino Cielo Road (discovery point). It’s rather mind-blowing that such an incredibly scenic dirt track exists just beyond the outskirts of Santa Barbara, but there Camino Cielo is, in all its splendor. West Camino Cielo is a bumpy dirt trail, with the best views found atop Broadcast Peak. You might think camping isn’t allowed up here, but as long as you’re on national forest land, you’re good to go!

Before wrapping up West Camino Cielo, be sure to make the short hike and scramble to Lizard’s Mouth Rock (discovery point). While the rock itself isn’t super impressive, the surrounding boulders and views more than make up for it. We actually think it looks more like a snapping turtle than a lizard’s mouth.

In the not-so-distant past, N. Refugio Road provided a great dirt alternative to drop down into the Santa Ynez Valley. Unfortunately, the road has been hammered by winter storms and has succumbed to multiple landslides, making it impassable to full-size vehicles (though motos are still known to use the closed road). With the closure, you’ll need to burn some pavement on Highway 154 back toward Santa Ynez before heading up to Figueroa Mountain (discovery point). While the majority of this section is paved, the scenery in the Santa Ynez Valley is something else. It’s no wonder the area has attracted billionaires, musicians, and Hollywood stars.

In 2024, the 38,000-acre Lake Fire burned much of Figueroa Mountain and its surrounding slopes. While the forest may not be as lush as it once was, the recently burned mountainsides are a haven for wildflowers like lupine, which can blanket huge portions of the hillside during spring. If you get the chance, make the drive to the top of the mountain to check out the Santa Ynez Overlook and Figueroa Lookout (discovery point).

From Figueroa Mountain, you’ll need to descend back into the Santa Ynez Valley via pavement. Los Olivos (discovery point) is a charming village and a great place to stop for a break or a bite to eat. From there, you’ll follow a series of paved backroads leading to the highway—and just a few short miles beyond that, you’re back on dirt as you climb into the San Rafael Wilderness via Sierra Madre Road (discovery point). Sierra Madre starts as a graded dirt road winding through oak woodlands, but as it climbs, the oaks give way to chaparral and chamise, and the road becomes increasingly narrow and rugged. The views of the surrounding mountains and the Santa Ynez Valley are absolutely mind-blowing. Expect to pick up some pinstripes as you make your way farther along. The highlight here is definitely the panoramic views atop McPherson Peak (discovery point), if you’re able to make it that far.

To reach Carrizo Plain, you’ll descend the steep and narrow Bates Canyon Road. Unlike Sierra Madre, there aren’t a lot of rocks or bumps here—but there is a fair amount of exposure along the narrow mountain road. Bates Canyon eventually drops you onto Highway 166, which you’ll take eastward toward Carrizo Plain.

Carrizo Plain National Monument (discovery point) is famous for its superblooms during winters with above-average precipitation. The San Andreas Fault also runs right through the heart of the plain. Even if you're not visiting during a springtime bloom, Carrizo is still an impressive place. Fauna like pronghorn, tule elk, coyotes, and the San Joaquin kit fox can all be spotted here, and the monument is a hotspot for raptor activity. This portion of the route also features the longest sustained section of dirt. The hills at the southeast end of the park offer a fun playground for your 4x4, with plenty of steep, off-camber, and rutted terrain to explore. But the most challenging stretch lies along the trail over Tremblor Ridge. Expect numerous steep (20°+) sections with loose, rocky, and rutted terrain.

If you get the chance, be sure to make a reservation for the guided tour to Painted Rock (discovery point), a Native American heritage site known for its striking rock art. The route concludes by exiting past Soda Lake (discovery point) and through the northern boundary of the monument. Fuel can be found by heading east on Highway 58 toward the interstate or west toward Santa Margarita.

---

Gallery

---

Terms of Use: Should you decide to travel a route that is published on Overlandtrailguides.com, you do so at your own risk. Always take the appropriate precautions when planning and traveling, including checking the current local weather, permit requirements, trail/road conditions, and land/road closures. While traveling, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, and carry the appropriate safety, recovery, and navigational equipment. The information found on this site is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by OverlandTrailGuides.com, the route accuracy and current conditions of roads and trails cannot be guaranteed.