From the Mission, corner of Laguna and Los Olivos Street in Santa Barbara...
Get on US 101 going northbound by taking Laguna St. to Mission St. (toward the ocean).
Turn right on Mission St.
Follow Mission St. to the freeway and take US 101 north.
Take the Lake Cachuma/Highway 154 exit. Follow signs to Highway 154 and turn right on to 154.
Head up the mountains and down the other side.
Continue past Lake Cachuma a total of just under 22 miles on 154.
Just after crossing the Santa Ynez River on the concrete bridge, turn right on Armour Ranch Road.
Follow Armour Ranch Rd. for about a mile and a half to Happy Canyon Rd.
Turn right on Happy Canyon Rd. Follow Happy Canyon for 14 miles to Cachuma Saddle, which is a large, abandoned ranger station.
At this point there is a junction with a dirt road and a large informational sign produced by the forest service. Stay straight at this point on the paved road.
Drive 8 more miles toward Nira Campground.
At the second creek crossing after Davy Brown Campground, park your car. If you reach Nira, you went too far. Before the creek crossing there is a large sign off to the left describing the wilderness area. The parking spot is across the creek on the left.
You will need an Adventure Pass, to park your car.
Santa Barbara Hikes has introduced many people to our front country trails and wilderness areas. Unfortunately, this may have contributed to an increase in littering and vandalism. Please accept the promise not to trash our wilderness, and tell your friends to do the same.
Thank you.
Diane ~ Santa Barbara Hikes.
Is now a book!
My trail journal from Santa Barbara to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail
My trail journal on the Pacific Crest Trail