Gaviota Coast officially designated State Scenic Highway status

U.S. Highway 101 along the Gaviota Coast is California’s newest officially designated State Scenic Highway.

The designated segment runs for about 21 miles from Goleta’s western boundary to Highway 1 at Las Cruces.

The landmark designation was made possible by a partnership between the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development Department, Doreen Farr, 3rd District Supervisor, and the Caltrans Landscape Architecture Division.

“Official designation as a State Scenic Highway will preserve the natural scenic beauty of this stunning coastline for generations to come,” said Supervisor Farr.

Besides holding amazing views of the ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, the Gaviota Coast harbors a rich biodiversity with numerous watersheds draining from the mountains to the ocean.

Gaviota, Refugio, and El Capitan state parks can all be found along the scenic highway, which follows the same route used by Portola and Father Junipero Serra in their journey up the coast in 1769. The route was also used in 1774 by Juan Bautista de Anza in Spain’s attempt to find a route to populate California.