More Mesa

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 tall golden grasses. As you peek 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. To walk from the Patterson side to the Hope Ranch side on the clifftop trail takes about 45 minutes.

There is a tire swing by the stairs that lead down to the beach, closest to the Mockingbird Lane entrance to More Mesa.
This amazing land in the middle of Santa Barbara was bought by Thomas More, a rancher, in the mid-19th century. It is undeveloped because a protected species of owl comes to nest here.
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 by the fireplace or look out the big windows at the tall trees that line the creek across the road. It is three minutes drive away.
For a toy store nearby, check out Bennett's Toys & Educational Materials. They have a train set your kids can play with while you look at their toy and book selection.
Or you could have lunch at Crushcakes, in a cute craftsman house with big windows and a back patio with flowers, or at Old Town Coffee which has outdoor seating with strung lights, or Dean A Coffee Shop which has large windows, outdoor seating under umbrellas, and good egg sandwiches. There are many coffee shops around here!

Directions

The trailhead is at Orchid Dr and Shoreline Dr, Goleta CA 93110.
From Highway 101, exit at Patterson Ave and turn toward the ocean. At the end of Patterson Ave the road 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.
You can also access More Mesa from the dead end of Mockingbird Lane. There is no parking on Mockingbird Lane so you have to park at the bottom of the hill on Vieja Dr and walk up. For your GPS use the address 1095 Mockingbird Lane, Goleta CA 93110.
Java Station, 4447 Hollister Avenue, call (805) 681-0202.

Click on map for interactive view