The San Marcos Foothills Preserve is where one can find some of Santa Barbara’s newest front country hiking opportunities. Situated near the intersection of State Route 154 and Foothill Road this former cattle and dairy ranch, now managed by the Santa Barbara Country Parks Department makes for some nice hiking that’s both close to town and relatively undiscovered. The main trail through the preserve is about 5 miles round trip and connects the two main entry points to the preserve and includes a short side trail up to the overlook viewpoint. San Marcos Foothills
There are two primary access points to the San Marcos Foothills Preserve. The main entrance is along Via Gaitero and the other is along Antone Road. Until this spring either one could have served as a beginning point, however this year’s storms have washed out the trail crossing at Cieneguitas Creek less than a half mile from Antone Road and so the best place to start is from Via Gaitero as it allows for more hiking. Coast Live Oak
From the preserve entrance the trail heads due east through Coastal Sage and wild grasses. The trail then makes its way towards Atascadero Creek moving through a mix of Oak and chaparral. And although much of the preserve was burned in the 2009 Jesusita Fire, the damage is less noticeable than on other affected trails.
As the trail descends down towards the creek it branches, turn right and continue more or less east. At times the preserve can seem like a maze of trails and roads, however the main trail through the preserve is well marked and affords one the best opportunity to experience the preserve. View from Overlook Point
At this point the trail climbs to the main ridge that divides the preserve and its two main creeks. It’s along this ridge that one can find an unmarked trail that continues up along the ridge to the overlook viewpoint. You’ll know if you missed the turnoff as the main trail levels off and then begins its descent back towards Santa Barbara.
The side trail continues for about a quarter mile before reaching a small mesa covered completely in deer weed. From this vantage one can get a good sense of the scope and layout of the preserve as well as enjoy some unique views of Santa Barbara. 
Regardless of how far you hike you will be treated to some unique views of Santa Barbara and a sense of the city’s rich history.
This article originally appeared in section A of the Monday, June 13th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Songs of the Wilderness 
[…] In 2007 the county of Santa Barbara acquired 200 acres of undeveloped land near State Route 154 that had been donated to the Trust for Public Land, and created what is now known as San Marcos Foothills Preserve. […]
By: Trail Quest: More Mesa Open Space « Songs of the Wilderness on February 12, 2013
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