Tag Archives: vineyards

California Farm Towns

barn pozo

California Farming Areas:
agriculture, farm stands, food crops, livestock, orchards, vineyards

Adin
Angwin
Arroyo Grande
Bakersfield
Berry Creek
Bishop
Blythe
Brawley
Bolinas
Boonville
Brentwood
Calexico
Calistoga
Camarillo
Castroville
Cedarville
Cloverdale
Coalinga
Colusa
Covelo
El Centro
Etna
Fall River Mills
Fallbrook
Ferndale
Fillmore
Forestville
Fort Jones
Fremont
Fresno
Geyserville
Gilroy
Gridley
Guadalupe
Hanford
Healdsburg
Hopland
Independence
Ione
Isleton
Kelseyville
King City
Kingsburg
Knights Ferry
Indio
La Qunita
Laytonville
Lemon Cove
Lindsay
Little River
Live Oak
Livermore
Lodi
Loleta
Lompoc
Los Olivos
Los Osos
Manteca
Maricopa
Marysville
Mecca
Merced
Modesto
Montague
Mount Shasta
Napa
Needles
New Cuyama
Nipomo
Oakdale
Oceano
Ojai
Orland
Oroville
Oxnard
Paso Robles
Pescadero
Petaluma
Petrolia
Philo
Porterville
Rainbow
Red Bluff
Reedley
Rio Vista
Sacramento
Saint Helena
Salinas
San Gregorio
San Juan Bautista
San Luis Obispo
Santa Maria
Santa Paula
Santa Rosa
Santa Ynez
Scotia
Sonoma
Stockton
Tehachapi
Temecula
Tulelake
Ukiah
Upper Lake
Valley Center
Valley Springs
Ventucopa
Ventura
Visalia
Watsonville
Weed
Williams
Willits
Willows
Windsor
Winters
Woodland
Yuba City

no chickens
Central Coast Calif: Arroyo Grande’s  public parking lot has free range chickens and roosters running around loose, so watch your speed.


California Ranching Areas:
cattle grazing, livestock, ranches

Alturas
Atascadero
Big Pine
Bishop
Caliente
Campo
Cayucos
Descanso
Dulzura
Elk Creek
Gorman
Hollister
Independence
Julian
Kennedy Meadows
Kernville
King City
Lebec
Los Alamos
Mill Creek
Morro Bay
Paynes Creek
Ramona
San Luis Obispo
San Simeon
Santa Margarita
Springville
Susanville
Taylorsville
Templeton

bycounty
see also –
List of Rural Counties in California
Central Valley Reservoirs

 

Santa Ynez River California

riverbelow
Lake Cachuma views from Camino Cielo West

Santa Inez River, Santa Ynez, CA

One of the largest rivers on the Central Coast of California, close to 100 miles long. You can find this river name spelled with “I” as well as “Y” on various maps featuring Santa Barbara. The smaller river “Inez” begins w/ the upper reservoirs, deep in Los Padres National Forest. After leaving Lake Cachuma heading westward, the name turns into the bigger “Santa Ynez” river. Agricultural farmlands, wineries, horse pastures, all the way to Lompoc.

The Santa Barbara Mountains
Highway 154, San Marcos Pass
Lake Cachuma, Los Padres National Forest

Solvang Danish Village
Lompoc farmland
VAFB

Rancho Oso Campground
Rancho Oso Campground

San Ynez Mountains

Everyone knows this area as Lake Cachuma, in the mountains
behind Santa Barbara. This fire-prone mountain range  parallels the palm tree lined coastal villages, along the scenic coastline of California. North of Ventura, Ojai and Los Angeles.

Indian Creek and Mono Creek drain the Dick Smith Wilderness Area, from the east, in Los Padres National Forest. Jameson Lake (2224′ elev) is a small reservoir where this river starts to come together. Downstream Agua Caliente Hot Springs flows, west to join Gibraltar Reservoir (1399′ elev). Then another 10 miles or so to meet w/ larger Lake Cachuma.  The large river continues thru Santa Ynez Valley, on to Lompoc and empties into the sea around Vandenburg.umbrella

Ocean Beach Park, Lompoc, CA

Ocean Beach sits in pristine isolation steps from engaging and beautiful shoreline, where the Santa Ynez River meets the sea. Bird-watchers and nature photographers love this spot. Beach access is closed to the public annually, from March – September due to bird (snowy plover) nesting season. Fishing is not allowed. Also known as “Surf Beach” and a well known coast for shark attacks.

Hiking is a popular recreation around  this whole wine country region; Campgrounds are generally open all year long. Summers can be hot, winters are usually wet. Wildflowers bloom March-May.

outdoor recreation 

  • backpacking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • horseback
  • mountain biking
  • off-roadinhiker
  • picnicking
  • stargazing
  • wildflowers
  • wine tasting

 

hikingupperoso
Day hikes, horse trails, mountain bike and backpacking trailheads

Santa Ynez Recreation Area

Campgrounds near this River

Camps in this list are managed by Santa Barbara County, USFS and privately owned campgroundscamp

Gibraltar & Agua Caliente
(access road #5N15 closed due to landslide; hike-in access only)

River Canyon AreaRV

Lake Cachuma Area

campupperoso
Upper Oso Camp

Dry SoCal terrain means that this river may be ‘seasonal’ – down to a trickle in drought years, or free flowing and wide during a good winter. Spring and winter storms can bring dangerous conditions and high water flowing over the paved roadways is possible. Authorities may close roads at any time depending on rainfall and river height.  Check the weather forecast and know what to expect, cuz it’s a dead end canyon way back in here.

PARADISE ROAD: The is a main access road to numerous campgrounds, w/ hiking, biking and horseback trailheads and OHV routes all accessible. The canyon wide river bed is strewn will bowling ball sized boulders and wading pools may be found.

Off Roading OHV Trailheaddirtbikes

  • Buckhorn OHV, near Upper Oso
  • Indian Creek Camuesa OHV, near Mono Campground
  • Divided Peak OHV, on Camino Cielo East
  • Davy Brown OHV, Figueroa Mountain

 

mellowentry
Camino Cielo West

CAMINO CIELO
A popular paved, ridge route drive of Santa Barbara (coastline views) with junction at Highway 154.

Camino Cielo East (Rd#51N12), goes southeast to great viewpoints over the epic coast. Channel Islands usually seen on the ocean horizon. Road become dirt & sudden switchback into mountains is quite steep. SUV or high clearance vehicle may be needed; and possible 4×4 in wet weather.

[CLOSED DUE TO LANDSLIDE 2019] The dead-end route leads down to the Gibraltar Dam (#5N15), several camp sites and a remote hot springs (which may or may not be operational)

Camino Cielo West, turns northwest off the highway. Nice viewpoints over Lake Cachuma. Boulders and coves, a party spot for locals kids. Paved road quickly become dirt turns into steep mountains w/ off roading opportunities. OHV trails not well marked w/ signs, so drive slow until you know the terrain. 4×4 may be needed. Mountain bikers and hikers also use this route, so pass with caution.

Santa Ynez, California
Small town Santa Ynez, CA

Los Padres Forest Headquarters
Goleta CA
805/968-6640

Santa Barbara District
Santa Barbara CA
805/967-3481

San Lucia District
Santa Maria CA
805/925-9538

Los Padres National Forest

maps of the Los Padres region –USFS

windmill

towns nearby

 

streetview
Solvang (a tourist haven) can be a good lunch stop, freeway close.

in the vicinity, see also –

Gaviota Hot Springs
Jalama Beach County Park
Nojoqui Falls
Rock Front Ranch 4×4 Camping
Santa Barbara Camping
Santa Lucia Camping
Santa Ynez Park