Gaviota Wind Caves Hike

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We recently stumbled upon the area of Gaviota State Park and decided to explore a little and do a nearby hike. We chose to do the trail up to the wind caves and in this article, I’ll give you a run-down of the hike and if you decide to check it out yourself!

Hike Details:

2.1 miles total (you can go slightly further up to other caves if you want to)
Out & back trail
About 500ft elevation gain (steep incline with not many switchbacks)
No shade

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On the Trail:

We started this hike on a Sunday evening around 5pm and only past a couple of people on the trail. It took us just under an hour to complete, including stops to enjoy the views and take photos.

The beginning of the hike goes along a wide paved path, before the uphill part which is basically an incline until you reach the top. The first climb is probably the steepest and I was worried about walking back down it because of loose rock, but it wasn’t hard (and we even saw a man run down it too).

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This trail is a great option if you are short for time and can’t do one of the longer hikes in the area such as Gaviota Peak. Not only do you get to see the wind caves, but there is amazing mountain & sea views on this hike right off of Highway 101.

As I noted above, there is no shade, so bring water and sunscreen or visit at sunset like we did to avoid the crowds and heat!

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The Wind Caves:

So firstly, there is graffiti and markings inside the caves, but I think they are still cool to see and worth the trip up there. These caves were formed over years of the on-shore winds carving into the sandstone causing these unique geological formations up in the mountains. The rock inside the caves is smooth looking and a beautiful sandy colour. The hike takes you to the first set of caves, but if you want to continue on further, there is a faint trail to follow up the the higher ones (be careful).

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About the Area:

When you get to the Gaviota State Park entrance, you can turn right and drive up the hill to park on the side of the road near the entrance to the hiking trail for free. If you are planning on spending the day (or camping!) you can pay a fee* to park and visit Gaviota State Beach.

*We paid $10 for the day when we went

The beach is relatively small and was a bit busy when we went but the water felt nice and we saw a lot of dolphins! It’s a great place to stop along your Highway 101 road trip or for a day trip if you’re visiting Santa Barbara or nearby towns like Solvang.