Social Hiking At a Relaxed Pace (S.H.A.R.P.)
NEW HIKE!
When: Sunday, June 03, 2018
9:00 AM
Where:   Baron Ranch

Baron Ranch is a 1,038-acre ranch owned by Santa Barbara County and managed by Public Works’ Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division.  The ranch occupies a “front-country” canyon/watershed located 24 miles west of Santa Barbara, just past Refugio State Beach.  It has been home to Chumush people, cattle-ranching operations, and more recently, fruit orchards, including avocado and cherimoya.  The orchards are now fallow, as the County seeks to restore native plant communities.

The walk will entirely follow old ranch roads from a parking area at the ranch gate at the end of the Highway 101 frontage road (Calle Real, photo below).  Our maximum elevation along this valley path is 300’.  From the gate, we’ll drop down towards the east creek bank as the path leads north toward the Santa Ynez Mountains.  The path is either dusty dirt or broken asphalt, so we recommend hiking or gym shoes. 

No need to register: just show up. We’ll cancel in the event of rain.  Please note: DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN BARON RANCH,  even on leash.  Also, there are NO RESTROOMS.  Please bring water and sun protection. 

Directions:  From Santa Barbara take 101 north.  West of Goleta, you’ll pass  exit ramps for “El Capitan Ranch”, “El Capitan State Beach”, and “Refugio State Beach”.  Your exit,  2.4 miles past the Refugio exit, is unmarked and has no off-ramp.  Consequently, be in the right lane, signal for a right turn, and slow down.  Turn right off the freeway, and immediately left onto the frontage road (Calle Real).  Proceed 0.8 miles to Baron Ranch gate (photo) and park.  Click HERE to make Ride-Sharing Connections!

Questions? Contact sharp@sbnewcomers.org