Santa Barbara camping?

[BrianBlair]

I'm heading up to Santa Barbara this weekend for a trail running race and am looking for some info on a good stealth camp spot/boondock spot? I'll be getting in Friday night and need to find a good spot to get a good night of rest. The race starts at the Jesusita trailhead.....so close to there would be awesome.

Anyone?

BB

[Jeffrey]

I live there. Sadly, there is no camping anywhere in or near town. About 30 miles up the coast is the El Capitan Campground and another few miles is the Refugio Campground. You can probably stealth camp along any the the hillside roads behind town per your comfort level. If you really need to, you can park your rig on a street behind my house which is a dead end, fairly safe and no traffic. You just gotta keep quiet.

[TheLetterJ]

What about going up the 154 a little bit and camping along West Camino Cielo (just passed "Lizard's Mouth")? Or even staying at the campgrounds around RedRock? Unless you are trying to park within walking distance of your event, these locations would just "require" an adventure pass... or not.

[Jeffrey]

You're right, Letter, I forgot there is camping along Paradise Road at Upper Oso. One can also tuck in some places along East Camino Cielo near the shooting range or at La Cumbre Peak. West Camino Cielo , too, but you have to find a spot somewhere. No places off the road except near the radio towers or a turnout if your lucky. There are also some side of the road spots at the top of Gibralter Road where it meets Camino Cielo.

[BrianBlair]

Thanks for the tips! We're camped on east camino cielo in a really killer spot. Awesome sunset and plenty of room for our dogs to roam.

[rallypanam]

Not bad. I'm up here right now. Beautiful view.

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by BrianBlair

Thanks for the tips! We're camped on east camino cielo in a really killer spot. Awesome sunset and plenty of room for our dogs to roam.

D'oh. I should have found you, didn't realize you were there at the same time!

[TheLetterJ]

Originally Posted by rallypanam

... didn't realize you were there at the same time!

Now that's what I call stealth camping!

[BrianBlair]

Our spot was actually quite good. Didn't see anyone all night and had a killer sunset view of the whole coastline. Not bad.

Earlier in the day I had ran 35 miles of trails in the front country.....so I was more than happy to sit right there, IPA in hand, and watch the world go by.

BB

[Jeffrey]

You don't mean ran is in with your feet, do you?

What front country are you referring to?