Guides/Overland routes/California
Overland route19 midifficulty: easy

East Camino Cielo

RegionCaliforniaAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Santa Barbara CountyLast verified—
East Camino Cielo — overland route near Santa Barbara, California, California
USDA Forest Service
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
19mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Out and back
Vehicle
Standard passenger vehicle on the paved western half; high-clearance 2WD on the gravel eastern half in dry conditions.
Best months
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Cell coverage
Good at the western trailheads; drops as the road heads east toward Pendola Station.
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East Camino Cielo is the ridgetop road along the spine of the Santa Ynez Mountains immediately above Santa Barbara, on Los Padres National Forest's Santa Barbara Ranger District. The road runs 19 miles from the top of Gibraltar Road east through La Cumbre Peak and ends at the locked Pendola Station gate above the Santa Ynez Recreation Area. The first eight miles to La Cumbre Peak are paved; the remainder is gravel.

The ridge sits 3,000 to 3,500 feet above the city, with continuous views south across Santa Barbara to the Pacific and north into the Santa Ynez Valley. The road accesses several USFS-developed picnic areas and trailheads (Knapp's Castle, Forbush Flat, Cold Spring Trail) and the La Cumbre Peak fire lookout. The Thomas Fire and several subsequent burns reshaped the landscape in 2017-2018; recovery is ongoing and several side spurs remain closed.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Fire restrictions. Los Padres NF closes the corridor during high fire danger. Check before going.
  • Burned terrain. Several recent fires (Thomas, Cave) have reshaped the corridor. Stay on marked roads.
  • Slick when wet. Coastal mountain rain turns the gravel sections greasy fast.
  • Narrow turnouts. The road is tight in places and oncoming traffic on weekends can stack up.
  • Adventure Pass required. Daily and annual passes available at the Santa Barbara Ranger District office and most local outfitters.

Location

19 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 34.504, -119.706

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Santa Barbara County
Nearest townSanta Barbara, California
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/lpnf
ClosedJul, Aug
Approx. location34.504, -119.706

Getting there

Directions

From Santa Barbara. Drive Mission Canyon Road north past the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, then continue on Tunnel Road to East Mountain Drive. Turn east on Gibraltar Road and climb to the ridge. East Camino Cielo continues east from the top.

Photos

8 photos

Photos · 8

Field notes

Getting Oriented

East Camino Cielo runs along the crest of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the front range that frames Santa Barbara on the north. The road climbs Gibraltar Road from Mission Canyon, joins the ridge at the top of Gibraltar, and runs east along the spine to Pendola Station. Los Padres NF's Santa Barbara Ranger District manages the corridor. The west end ties into West Camino Cielo, which continues across the ridge above Goleta to Refugio Pass.

Trail Overview

Nineteen miles out-and-back to the locked gate at Pendola Station. The first eight miles from the top of Gibraltar to La Cumbre Peak are paved with several pullouts and trailheads. The remaining 11 miles are gravel forest road, narrower and rougher, with stretches that climb past Knapp's Castle, Forbush Flat, and Cold Spring Saddle. The road is signed as a forest road on the eastern half; high-clearance 2WD handles it in dry conditions.

Points of Interest

  • La Cumbre Peak. USFS fire lookout at 3,985 feet, the highest point on the road and a popular sunrise destination.
  • Knapp's Castle. Stone ruins of a 1916 mansion, with views across the Santa Ynez Valley. A short hike from the road.
  • Forbush Flat. USFS dispersed camping area with a small spring and a connector trail to Cold Spring Saddle.
  • Cold Spring Trail. Hiking trail that descends 2,000 feet from the ridge to Cold Spring Tavern.
  • Pendola Station. USFS guard station and locked gate at the eastern end of the public road.
  • Santa Ynez Recreation Area. Reached via the Paradise Road from Pendola via the Juncal Fire Road (4WD only) or via the paved Paradise Road from SR-154.

Where to Camp

Forbush Flat is the only dispersed-camping area along the road and requires a permit and an Adventure Pass. La Cumbre Peak and Knapp's Castle have day-use only. Closest developed campgrounds are at Cachuma Lake County Park (south of SR-154), Lower Oso Campground (USFS-developed) on Paradise Road, and several USFS sites in the Santa Ynez Recreation Area.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • An Adventure Pass is required for parking on Los Padres NF.
  • Plan around fire restrictions. Los Padres often closes fire-prone sections in summer; the entire forest closed for several months in recent fire seasons.
  • The Thomas Fire and Cave Fire scars are visible along the ridge; chaparral is regenerating in waves.
  • Cell service drops east of La Cumbre Peak. Carry an offline map.
  • The Santa Barbara Ranger District (805-967-3481) handles current conditions and seasonal closures.
  • Combine with the paved Paradise Road / Santa Ynez Recreation Area for a half-paved, half-dirt loop.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is East Camino Cielo?
East Camino Cielo is rated easy. The route runs 19 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for East Camino Cielo?
Standard passenger vehicle on the paved western half; high-clearance 2WD on the gravel eastern half in dry conditions.
When is the best time to visit East Camino Cielo?
The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at East Camino Cielo?
Good at the western trailheads; drops as the road heads east toward Pendola Station.