Nojoqui Falls, Santa Barbara

Pronounced: No-HO-wee

With all of the rain we’ve been having lately we thought it was the perfect time to take a little hike to Nojoqui Falls. The drive there was surreally like driving through the countryside in Ireland, with the mountaintops covered under a thick fog and the pastures full of lush green grasses instead of the usual dull yellow. The rain kept everyone home and off the trail, so we had the whole place to ourselves! It’s a pretty short hike next to a small creek, over some bridges and through the woods back to a 100′ waterfall streaming down a sandstone cliff. Considering how short the hike is compared to other waterfall hikes, you get a lot of scenery for not much effort. There wasn’t as much water there as I’ve seen on other days, but it always makes a nice little getaway from Santa Barbara anyway.
 

To get to the trailhead: From Santa Barbara, take the 101 Freeway north 5.4 miles past the Gaviota Rest Area and turn right on La Lata Place, following signs for Nojoqui Park. Take La Lata Place for one mile and make the first left on Alisal Road. After 0.8 miles, turn right into Nojoqui Falls Park. Enter the park and follow the road back and to the left. There are restrooms just in front of the cul-de-sac at the trailhead.

To get to Nojoqui Falls Park from the north, from the city of Buellton, take the 101 Freeway south for 4.7 miles and turn left following signs for Nojoqui Park. Then take La Lata Place to Alisal Road and on to the park as described above.

Trailhead address: 3200 South Alisal Road‎, Nojoqui Falls Park‎, Gaviota, CA 93117

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