Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara County Trails Council
As part of a multi-use trail study, Santa Barbara County Trails Council has released an interactive Story Map that provides a virtual tour of a proposed fifty-mile long backbone trail and spur routes through Northern Santa Barbara County. Find the visually stunning Story Map at https://arcg.is/0v5PTS and share your thoughts on the proposed trail network by October 25th. The Interim Coastal Trail Study seeks input from the public to understand better existing and future trail opportunities and recommends on- and off-road trail routes to create a healthier and more vibrant County.
The trail study identifies routing for an interim or secondary coastal trail until a truly Coastal Trail, within the ocean’s sight and sound, is feasible in northern Santa Barbara County. Trails Council prepared the study for the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) to help future planning efforts identify preferred routes, safety improvements, and funding needs for the interim Coastal Trail.
“Throughout the North County, there is a wealth of untapped recreational opportunities, from cycling rural roads to walks along a dune laced coastline to jogging through vibrant marine chaparral habitats,” Project Manager, Brian Bresolin of SBCAG, said. “We need to continue to evaluate how these trails are linked and expanded to enhance the County’s active trail system.”
The primary objective of the Northern Santa Barbara County Interim California Coastal Trail Study is to identify an alignment or braided alignments for a continuous trail from Guadalupe to Gaviota. Due to existing constraints along the coast, the Interim California Coastal Trail alignment is located primarily within road corridors and across public land. The Study also identifies spur routes to beaches, open spaces, and other points of interest. It describes improvements and action items to enhance coastal access and recreation in the North County. The study area is from the northern county border at the City of Guadalupe to the beach at Gaviota State Park.
The public can review the Trails Council’s Draft Study for the Interim California Coastal Trail at http://explore-santa-barbara-county.com/cts/docs/CTS-Draft-Public-Review-10-13-20.pdf
“Over the last twelve months, the opportunity for new trails has increased dramatically,” said Mark Wilkinson, Executive Director of Santa Barbara County Trails Council. “We expect 20 miles of new off-road trails to be added to the North County public trail inventory over the next five to ten years.”
Much of the Santa Barbara Coastline in the North County region is not accessible primarily due to the location of Vandenberg Air Force Base. The study looked at options for an interim or secondary coastal trail supported and used until a pathway along the coastline between the City of Guadalupe and Gaviota State Park is possible. The community anticipates government entities adding sections of coastal trail north and south of Vandenberg Air Force Base within our lifetime. Still, a coastal trail is unlikely to happen along the Air Force Base’s 35-mile-long coastline this century. For over a year, the study has been underway to look for alignment opportunities, including routes other than following the existing Caltrans Pacific Coast Cycling Route that follows State Highway 1 and State Highway 101 through the study area. A multi-use trail that will connect some or all segments of the proposed route for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians is an ideal situation.
About Santa Barbara County Trails Council: The Santa Barbara County Trails Council’s mission is to protect public trail access, build and maintain safe and sustainable trails, and promote public engagement in land stewardship and trail use for all types of outdoor recreation.
