The hook
A short, steep climb above the coast west of Santa Barbara ends at a set of sandstone caves the wind hollowed out of the cliff.
01Why it's worth it
Where the wind funnels through this canyon a mile off the ocean, it has scooped the soft sandstone into caves, windows, and pockets over thousands of years, the same tafoni weathering that carves the rocks all along this coast, but here at a scale you can walk into. The hike earns them: two and a half miles round trip, gentle at first, then a steep single-track pull up to the ridge where the caves open out with the Pacific and the Channel Islands behind you. You can climb up onto and into the formations, including an eyelet worn clean through the rock. It's a lot of payoff for a short, if sweaty, hike.
02How to experience it
It's in Gaviota State Park off Highway 101 west of Santa Barbara, about five hours from the Bay. No fee or permit for the caves, and no dogs. The climb is short but steep and exposed, so bring water and go when it's cool. It pairs with the beach and the old train trestle at Gaviota below.