Douglas Family Preserve

The largest area of coastal open space within the city of Santa Barbara, this beautiful preserve is filled with walking/running trails, gorgeous ocean views, gnarled trees, birds and off-leash dogs. Lined with Monterey pine and cypress, the scenic bluffs are a great place for whale and dolphin watching The Douglas Family Preserve also contains five ecosystems to explore: southern oak woodland, coastal bluff scrub, coastal sage scrub, riparian and grassland.

Details

Location

2550 Medcliff Road, Santa Barbara, Near the intersection of Cliff Drive and Las Positas Road, above Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry’s Beach). East Entrances: Borton Drive/Mesa School Lane/Medcliff Drive and Oak Grove Trail; West entrance: north end of Arroyo Burro Beach parking lot

Managed By

City of Santa Barbara

Website(s)

https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/passiveopenspaces/douglasfam.asp

Distance from UCSB

Bike (9.5 mi), Walk (8.2 mi)

How To Get There

Bike, Walk, Drive, Bus

Things To Do

Biking, Birdwatching, Dog Off-Leash, Hiking, Picnicking (no picnic tables), Relaxing, Studying/Reading, Viewing (Ocean), Walking, Watchable Wildlife

Fun Facts

This Preserve is named after the Douglas Family in recognition of actor Michael Douglas’s $600,000 contribution to protect the land from commercial development. Of note, Michael Douglas is a graduate of UCSB. With this and many other contributions, the Trust for Public Land purchased the private property, which was then deeded to the City of Santa Barbara for public enjoyment. Some remnants from the prior property owner (Wilcox Nursery) can still be seen.

Other Information

There is a helpful trail map, and here is additional information about the Preserve.

Best Time To Visit

All Year