Douglas Family 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 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 above the sea! Douglas Family Preserve is the perfect spot to get that magical, freeing feeling!
The trail is a short loop that takes about half an hour to walk. Often there are paragliders taking off from the cliffs and whizzing around you. There are plenty of large sticks kids can pick up along the way to play imaginary games with. Halfway along, you reach a tree where you can stand and look down at Hendry's Beach and all the people having fun below. See the winding road that leads down from Hope Ranch- it looks digitally rendered it's so perfect! The honeycomb 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!
From Douglas Family Preserve, if you walk east on Medcliff Rd, you will come to Mesa Lane Steps, a long staircase down to the beach. The blue-green water looks lovely from the top. Continue walking to La Mesa Park, a park overlooking the ocean, with a eucalyptus forest and a large playground.
Douglas Family Preserve is located on Medcliff Rd, Santa Barbara CA 93109.
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 Medcliff 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!
Jan
Thu, 09 Jun 2011
This is a great place for dogs, not so much for people who don\'t have dogs - & it is supposed to be for both types of people. Also, it is important to keep dogs away from the bluffs. They will go over. Do NOT follow them. Call for help. You can be stuck too.
Suyin
Sun, 20 Sep 2009
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
Fri, 14 Mar 2008
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
Last Updated: Wed, 06 Feb 2019 20:45:08 GMT
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