Douglas Preserve

Santa Barbara, California Print   Leave a comment

Description

Douglas Preserve is doggy heaven. Dogs can run free here and many do! It's fun to watch their happy faces as they arrive at the trail. The trail follows the cliff past cactus, bright pink bougainvillea, and old trees, some clinging to the cliff almost falling off! The views of the waves way below hitting the beach at an angle are gorgeous, as are the views of the Channel Islands. I love to be on a cliff high high above the sea! Douglas Preserve is the perfect spot to get that magical free feeling!
It's a short circular trail that takes about half an hour to walk around. Often there are paragliders taking off from the cliffs and whizzing around you. Halfway along, you reach a wonderful tree where you can stand and look down at Hendry's Beach and all the people walking and having fun below. The perfect winding road that leads down from Hope Ranch looks digitally rendered it's so lovely! The marvelous cliffs beside it are covered in pink bougainvillea.
Sunset is the best time to come here. The sun slides away behind the Hendry's Beach bluffs and then the golden light hits the shore. It's a romantic sight!
If you walk east on Medcliff Rd from Douglas Preserve, you will come to Mesa Steps, a long staircase that leads down to the beach- the water looks gorgeous there from the top. Continue on and you will reach La Mesa Park, a gorgeous park overlooking the ocean, with a eucalyptus forest and a large playground. For a nice toddler playground and basketball court with views, drive the short distance to Escondido Park.

Photo Gallery

View from the cliffs at Douglas Preserve!	There are plenty of sticks at Douglas Preserve to keep kids happy!	You might think twice about going for a walk at Mesa steps beach, below this path!
The beach below Douglas Preserve.	Rugged Douglas Preserve.	There are totem-pole dead trees at Douglas Preserve.
Spring flowers in the wide open spaces at Douglas Preserve.	Flowering bushes at Douglas Preserve.	The amazing tree at the end of the walk.
The glorious view at the end of the walk.	View of winding Cliff Dr, as seen from the end of the walk at Douglas Preserve. Look at the honeycomb cliffs!	View of sheltered little park at Hendry's Beach, as seen from Douglas Preserve.
View of Boathouse Restaurant and Hendry's Beach, from Douglas Preserve.	View of Hendry's Beach.	Fallen trees and wonderful shades of green ocean, at Douglas Preserve.
A lone log and sunset over the sea.	View of Hendry's Beach below, from Douglas Preserve at sunset.

Directions

Exit Highway 101 at Las Positas Rd and turn toward the ocean. At the end, turn left on Cliff Drive. Turn right on Mesa Lane. Turn right on Medcliffe Rd. At the end, park along the road. The trail starts there.
There are no restrooms but there are dog pooper bags! And all the dog owners use them so it's a very clean trail!

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

Suyin 09/19/2009 19:45	Nice park. The hike is short and flat. My 12 year old Yorkie loved it! If you bring a pet there are doo-bags by the notice board at the beginning of the hike. The day we went there were lots of people of all ages. The views over the ocean were spectacular. Very nice. Take a picnic. Well worth it!
Mirka 03/13/2008 21:51	Wow!!! Thank You for your detailed info on this park. I was looking for a last minute place to go in the morning with pup, while visitor from out of town went whale watching. Perfect. Thank You. Nice pictures. need more though. Smile