Toro Canyon - Summerland

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Access / Getting There

1. From Santa Barbara, drive southbound on Highway 101 to Summerland and exit north on Padaro Lane.
2. Cross over the freeway and turn right on Via Real.
3. Follow Via Real for 0.5 miles to Toro Canyon Road.
4. Turn north and drive up Toro Canyon for 1.3 miles to Toro Canyon Park Road.
5. Continue up the road as it winds steeply uphill to the saddle and continue ahead as the road begins to drop down into the park.
6. At the park entrance turn left and follow the road for several hundred yards. The trail to the Gazebo is across the small meadow area.

Things to Know

The drive to Toro Canyon County Park is almost as worthwhile as the park itself, which is actually not in Toro Canyon, but the upper end of Arroyo Paredon, a beautiful oak-filled canyon that drops down into Carpinteria Valley not too far from the polo fields.

Toro Canyon leads steadily uphill, then at the point where Foothill Road intersects from the right, becomes a narrow, twisty canyon that is as pretty as any in Santa Barbara. A half mile beyond Foothill Road you’ll find the entrance to the park. The entrance sign is actually a bit premature as the park is actually a mile further up this side road, winding up through more twisty canyon and avocado farms to a high point. On the way back stop here. The views across the Montecito foothills are spectacular. Once you reach the high point, the road drops sharply downhill into a large bowl where the park is located.

Along the way through the 0.2 mile drive to the trailhead you’ll find ample picnic areas, playground equipment, a great sand volleyball court (who says the only place to play volleyball on the sand is at East Beach?) and several hiking trails. 

Background

On The Walk