Few People Know About This Southern California Nature Preserve With Tar Pits And A Seal Sanctuary
By Natasha Kayes|Published February 27, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
The shores and beaches that stretch along the western edge of California are diverse, beautiful, and seemingly widely known and explored. However, there are still some pockets that remain something of a secret. Outside of those who actually live in Santa Barbara County, this stunning nature preserve in Southern California, with its protected coastal wonders, is still relatively unknown.
Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve is a protected expanse of pristine green space just south of the town of Carpinteria, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The preserve is a unique and scenic place to enjoy nature and salty air without the crowds of many other ocean parks. It also harbors a few secrets waiting to be discovered.
A cool cast-metal relief map shows the various trails that crisscross the park.
The trails along the top of the bluffs in the preserve make for easy, enjoyable hiking. The trails connect to a loop along the entire length of Carpinteria State Beach, and they come with unfettered views of the rugged coastline.
In the spring and summer, green shrubs, vibrant ground-cover plants, and colorful wildflowers spread across the top of the bluffs and surround the trails.
Below the bluffs, toward the southern end of the preserve, is the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary which is both a preserve and rookery for California Harbor Seals. The seals can be seen sunbathing on the sand and rocks or playing in the water.
From December through May, this area is a strictly protected birthing habitat, and from the cliffs you may be able to see mothers with their pups on the shore.
The protected area draws all kinds of birds as well, including graceful white cranes and majestic pelicans who pause on the rocks between fishing expeditions.
Oil comes up from underground, mixes with clay and water, and cools on the surface as asphalt. Most of the tar pits in the area are on this short stretch of beach and come from what is called the Carpinteria Offshore Oil Field.
A long pier leading from the beach to an off-shore oil rig is evidence of the amount of oil in this area.
It is fairly well-known that Los Angeles, and Southern California as a whole, has been a significant source of crude oil. The most famous spot in SoCal where the oil from underground surfaces is La Brea Tar Pits in L.A. However, few Californians seem to know that the tar pits in Carpinteria exist.
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At low tide, mussel-covered rocks emerge and tide pools full of colorful marine life form. You never know what you might discover waiting for the tide to rise again.
Did you know about this protected wild area of Southern California? We would love to hear your thoughts and your favorite spots in Santa Barbara County. If you plan to spend a day in Carpinteria – and we highly recommend it – check out these nearby botanical gardens and an Italian restaurant you must visit.
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