Baron Ranch Trails on Gaviota Coast - Post-hike Coastal Picnic

Have you ever heard of the Baron Ranch hiking trails? Most folks haven’t, but it’s a splendid -- and sometimes shady -- trail a couple miles west of Refugio State Beach and it’s worth the trip.

And if that's not enough, we'll have a picnic at Refugio SB after the hike where I have reserved a campsite. Day use fee is $10.

The hike is about a 6.9 mile lollipop with 1,600' total ascent and is rated MEDIUM. See the hike rating guide at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/hike-rating-guide/

Our hike begins in the canyon that forms the Arroyo Quemado Creek watershed. The trail follows a network of ranch roads leading through a habitat restoration area and into the backcountry.

The first mile of the trail is relatively flat and follows the bottom of the canyon. Just beyond the one-mile mark the road transitions into the riparian zone and continues to parallel the creek, it’s here that the trail starts to take on a more wilderness feel.

At 2.1 miles and 2.6 miles, the trail splits to form a loop up into the mountains. The upper portion of the Loop Trail provides some exceptional vistas down the canyon and out towards the ocean with views of the island on a clear day. Views along the canyons open up to reveal the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. At the top of the loop, the single-track section of the Loop Trail trail connects again to a ranch road and then returns to the beginning of the loop and the main trail.

DIRECTIONS

To Hike:

• Take Hwy 101 North, 2.4 miles past Refugio Road and turn right at the road crossing onto Arroyo Quemada Ln. (Watch for the yellow sign indicating “cross-traffic ahead").
• Immediately turn left onto Calle Real and proceed approximately 3/4 mile until the road reaches a street sign that says “End”.
• Use the circle to turn around and park along Calle Real.

To Campground/Beach:

From trailhead, reverse course 2.4 miles and take exit 120 for Refugio Rd toward Refugio State Beach. Park in day use lot ($10). We'll reconnoiter at Campsite 31