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Rincon Bluffs Preserve – Downtown Carpinteria loop from Carpinteria

Rincon Bluffs Preserve – Downtown Carpinteria loop from Carpinteria

Moderate

3.5

(12)

riders

Rincon Bluffs Preserve – Downtown Carpinteria loop from Carpinteria

01:35

26.7km

230m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

Last updated: June 30, 2026

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The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 21.4 km for 1.53 km

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18.5 km

Legal On-Freeway Bike Trail section

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

South of Carpinteria the bike trail is routed onto the freeway for a short section between two exits

Tip by

19.7 km

Rincon Bluffs Preserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

Rincon Bluffs Preserve is one of the last remaining undeveloped coastal properties between the western edges of Goleta and the Ventura County line.

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21.0 km

Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Carpinteria Bluffs are now preserved as open space. The trail down to the bluffs leads through quiet, open meadows and a long row of stately eucalyptus trees. An easy trail along the bluff edge to the Chevron Oil Pier observe harbor seals on the beach.
There is access to the beach just east of the pier, leading down to a long sandy beach where you can enjoy a mile of secluded walking down to Rincon Point. To the west you will need to walk through the Chevron parking lot to reach more of the Carp bluffs. These will lead you along a very pleasant set of overlooks and eventually down to the ocean's edge. From there it is a bit more than a mile to the state park. sbtrails.org/carpinteria-bluffs

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21.4 km

Rhodes Fleming Coastal Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This trail, lined with eucalyptus trees and coastal scrub, runs along the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve, which spans 52 acres of open space with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. The preserve is home to a harbor seal rookery, one of only four along the Southern California coast. It's a fantastic place for a day trip, and if you're here in the evening, a great place to watch the sunset over the ocean.

Tip by

22.1 km

Anne & Al Drasdo Memorial Grove

Forest

22.5 km

Seal Sanctuary Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a known spot for spotting seals lazing on the beach, sometimes in the hundreds! Whales and dolphins have also been spotted in the water from here, too.

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23.1 km

Tar Pits Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

Tar Pits Park features some of the few natural asphalt lakes in the world. These tar pits, formed by ancient petroleum seepage, date back to the Pleistocene epoch and have preserved fossils of prehistoric creatures. Historically, the Chumash people used tar to waterproof their boats and tools. The park has been preserved and restored to its natural state, with a great path that winds throughout the grounds, popular for hiking and biking. There are several picnic tables, plenty of benches with fantastic views, a harbor seal sanctuary, and a lovely stretch of beach. Tar seeps out of the ground along the trail, beach, on the bluffs, and throughout the park and can get on your shoes. It's a good idea to bring footwear that you don't mind getting dirty when you come to explore this beautiful area.

Tip by

25.2 km