More Mesa

Santa Barbara, California Print   Leave a comment

Description

Walking along More Mesa, you discover a new, pretty vista around every bend! You are on gorgeous sandstone cliffs high above the sea, walking a thin sandy trail amongst wildflowers and thin golden grasses. As you peak below, you see couples and nudists who have come to be alone in this unknown area of Santa Barbara. Looking out across the tall grasses on the mesa, you see the Santa Ynez mountains. There are steep paths that lead down to the beach. It's a delightful walk. To walk from the Patterson side to the Hope Ranch side on the clifftop trail takes about 45 minutes.
This amazing land in the middle of Santa Barbara was bought by Thomas More, a rancher, in the mid-19th century. It is left undeveloped because it is where a protected species of owl comes to nest.
If you're hungry or thirsty, check out Java Station, a dive coffee shop at 4447 Hollister Avenue, east of Puente Drive, where you can sit on a comfy couch and look out the big windows at the tall trees that line the creek across the road.
Nearby, check out the bike path that leads from Modoc Rd in Hope Ranch past More Mesa and all the way to Goleta Beach, then UCSB, and through UCSB to the groovy college town of Isla Vista. It's a great ride and most of the time you're riding along the creek with no car fumes. Goleta Beach and its pier are a great reward at the end!

Photo Gallery

View from the west side of More Mesa.	Cactus flowers in a nursery on the west side of More Mesa.	Cliff views looking out east from More Mesa.
Thin golden grasses and the Santa Ynez mountains in the background.

Directions

From Highway 101, exit at Patterson Ave and turn toward the ocean. At the end of Patterson Ave it veers left and becomes Shoreline Drive. You will see a big yellow sign with an arrow. Park along the road here. Walk along the road a little until you come to the second pathway on the left. This pathway follows some barren land to the sea.
Java Station, 4447 Hollister Avenue, call (805) 681-0202.

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Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

Kristina 11/05/2009 22:49	I love this one....we were at this spot last month..keep them coming
Katie 10/06/2009 14:30	Top beach! Woohoo!
Rich 07/29/2006 16:41	wow, cool, yes, more cities please!